Meet my new knife: The Tramp!

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jojo

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Aug 16, 2006
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England's most easterly point
I was asked to a make a version of the skookum Bush Tool and this is the first one of what I came up with.

Meet The tramp!

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I have given The Tramp a curved back edge and a slight drop point, not as pointy as the skookum, therefore less likely to be damaged. This one has a handle of rather dense, rippled Teak. I carved the handle with a knife, no sanding. The dust is not nice and the wood very oily, which is good for a knife handle. The carved surface and the pins make it a very "grippy" handle.

The handle was first glued with epoxy, and when the glue had hardened, I riveted the 3 pins in place. They stand slightly from the wood handle, but are well rounded and polished, and although you can feel them, they are not a problem.

One lanyard tube at the back of the handle. I didn't put one at the front because I do not intend to use it as a spear!

The blade is 3mm 01 tool steel and I welded the pommel.

Overall length 213mm, the blade is 103mm long and 26mm wide.

What d'you think?

Thanks for looking.:)
 
I like that, did you weld on the plate? These are great shaped knives.

Yes, john. The butt plate is welded on, I have used an arc welder, it's not going anywhere!


I have used some wire wool on the handle and have just noticed that the handle is now slightly rippled, which looks cool!
 
Very nice! I like the dropped point - one of my two gripes with the SBT is the clip i.o. a drop point.

But why the indentation at the edge start? I can't see a purpose in that for a scandi.

Cheers,
-Emile
 
Thanks all.

Out of curosity, what RC did you take the O1 to?

I heat treat all my blades and after hardening, re-heat them in a oven to bring them to a straw yellow colour which is about 58/59rc. Maybe not as precise as with an electric temperature control oven a professional may use, but so far, I have had no problems with this method.

But why the indentation at the edge start? I can't see a purpose in that for a scandi.

The main purpose for me is that I like it, kind of minimalist filework...:D
 
Here are a couple of pics of the second Tramp I just finished, with Mexican Rosewood, two lanyard tubes and 3 pins, and smooth handle.

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Although I don't intend to hammer mine into a tree or to use is as a spear, I quite like the shape, particularly the handle which is very comfortable, but I prefer my slight drop point and curved back to the straight spine and very sharp blade of the Skookum.
 
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Thanks all.
The main purpose for me is that I like it, kind of minimalist filework...:D

Good answer, mate. :D Great job. Apart from the notch, I like it a lot.


Edit - holy smoke, just saw the second version. I really like that one!

-Emile
 
As a devoted SBT owner and user, I'd say that both versions are spot on the button: beautifully shaped and made.

I'd love to read a review as and when you get round to it.

Top stuff!
 

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