Howdy folks 
As I've mentioned in a few threads, I've recently been after a proper American knife - by that, I really mean "north american" and so the Canadian Belt Knife was a major consideration, but the handle looked a bit too delicate for my liking. I was going to buy the Cold Steel Western Hunter (and still intend to) but upon seeing my paycheque I reonsidered for the time being...
After seeing an Old Hickory skinner on ebay though, I couldn't pass the offer up First time I've seen one on offer in the UK, so I figured I could buy it and do a few wee modifications to it...
I suppose it's a little bit Nessmuk-y but not really intended as a clone - that's saved for when I have enough steel and a good bit of antler I chopped the end off the blade and smoothed it out with the grinder. The blade was submerged in water while using a cutting disc on my dremel (very wet process) and was frequently dunked in water while grinding. The thing came with no edge to speak of, but I sorted that out on the belt grinder, taking it very slowly and finishing with wet or dry on mousemat - given the wide bevel and thin blade (1/10" - slightly over 2mm by my calipers) a scandi grind would be too weak IMO. It is a MEAN slicer!
The handle was a bit boxy, and smoothed out on the grinder too. I then used a nail to burn in the lines - chargrill jigging Then the rest of the handle was darkened with a heat gun and oiled with linseed applied with wire wool.
Now I just need to start hunting so I can actually use it properly!
Hope y'all like!
Pete
As I've mentioned in a few threads, I've recently been after a proper American knife - by that, I really mean "north american" and so the Canadian Belt Knife was a major consideration, but the handle looked a bit too delicate for my liking. I was going to buy the Cold Steel Western Hunter (and still intend to) but upon seeing my paycheque I reonsidered for the time being...
After seeing an Old Hickory skinner on ebay though, I couldn't pass the offer up
First time I've seen one on offer in the UK, so I figured I could buy it and do a few wee modifications to it...
I suppose it's a little bit Nessmuk-y but not really intended as a clone - that's saved for when I have enough steel and a good bit of antler
I chopped the end off the blade and smoothed it out with the grinder. The blade was submerged in water while using a cutting disc on my dremel (very wet process) and was frequently dunked in water while grinding. The thing came with no edge to speak of, but I sorted that out on the belt grinder, taking it very slowly and finishing with wet or dry on mousemat - given the wide bevel and thin blade (1/10" - slightly over 2mm by my calipers) a scandi grind would be too weak IMO. It is a MEAN slicer!The handle was a bit boxy, and smoothed out on the grinder too. I then used a nail to burn in the lines - chargrill jigging
Then the rest of the handle was darkened with a heat gun and oiled with linseed applied with wire wool.Now I just need to start hunting so I can actually use it properly!
Hope y'all like!
Pete
