My second knife project

[Zammo]

I'm going to start on my second knife. Some of you may remember that I cocked up the scales on my first knife (the holes didn't line up to the holes in the knife). But I still have the scales glued up with black liners, so it seems a shame to waste them. What I intend to do is buy a blade that allows me to use larger pins, so I can re-drill the messed up holes.

My question is do I need a special blade with larger holes and also where can I get wider pins (similar to the ones on Mike Spain knives) from?


Thanks.

 

[Jedadiah]

Have you thought of using Loveless bolts or Corby's? Mick Wardell would sort you out, have a look,
http://www.wardellsknifesupplies.com/

See what you think

 

[Zammo]

Cool link thanks. :You_Rock_

I wonder if he'd sell me a kit knife without scales?

 

[weaver]

I'm going to start on my second knife. Some of you may remember that I cocked up the scales on my first knife (the holes didn't line up to the holes in the knife).

I always glue one side on, drill the holes through the blade, in other other words I use the blade as a template to drill the holes through. Then glue on the other side and drill from the pre-drilled side into the new piece. This way the holes are always perfect and the handles are exactly where I want them. Of course if you have a drill press you won't have to go through so many steps. But, I started this way when I was a teen and never changed. If you are drilling by hand with a brace and bit or a hand crank drill then this is a great way to get it right.

Even though I have a lot of machine tools I still like to work non-electric sometimes and I find little tricks like this help a great deal.

 

[Zammo]

Yes thats what I did second time round and it was spot on.

 

[Jedadiah]

Cool link thanks. :You_Rock_

I wonder if he'd sell me a kit knife without scales?

Hey Zam,

i got my knife kit (minus scales and pins) from SWC

http://swc-handmade-knives.com/

He does 11cm blades out of 4mm 01 stock but i asked for a 9cm in 3mm stock, and he did it for me for £55. I got it the other day and i'm in the process of finishing the scales now (spalted beech with black and red liners, brass loveless bolts). i also got a RM style sheath from SWC to match my blade.

The quality of the blade is fantastic, on a par with knives i've handled that cost three to four times as much, highly recommended!

 

[Zammo]

I was actually desperately looking for that link earlier today, thanks for posting it.

 

[Zammo]

I'm going to order a blade form SWC. Seems a bit weird paying £55 for one when all the materials of my previous blade were cheaper. But I suppose you pay for the steel quality and I want the second one to hopefully be even better than the first.

 

[Jedadiah]

To be honest Zam, i think (and i'm sure i'll be picked up on this) 01 steel is pretty much of a muchness, it has to be standardised to fall into the catagory of '01'. Too much of this and too little of that will move it into a different category of steel.

But do not fret, what you are paying for is a superbly accurate piece of wonderfully finished steel that is heat treated to a high standard and certified. As i said before, i recieved mine from Steve the other week and i'm just waiting to finish the scales before posting pic's on the forum. His attention to detail is stunning and the finish is second to none. I opted for an engraving on the blade, just to make it a little individual, sufficed to say that my SWC project is now called 'Lupo' (watch this space for pic's). I am so impressed with Steve's work that i'm thinking about commisioning another! Believe me, it's worth every penny of your £55!

 

[Zammo]

Thanks for the encouraging reply. I may see if he can drill the holes larger on the blade handle, as I want to fit loveless bolts on it, and have heard its a nightmare to do yourself.

Hmm now you've got me thinking about getting it engraved...Out of curiosity how much extra were you charged for that?

 

[mick spain]

There are blades for sale quite often on British Blades makers sales

 

[Jedadiah]

I think that the engraving was £10. He will drill the hioles to whatever size you want. I requested that he did'nt drill a lanyard hole and guess what.... he did'nt! (Thats attenetion to detail. I've actually changed my mind about getting more from SWC for the time being. I think that i should widen my experience and get blades from different makers and fit the scales myself as i really enjoyed the experience.

Coincidentally, Mick Spain (who posted on this thread) has just sold me a blank that i saw on BB. It's my next project that i'm starting while waiting for my SWC scales to finish. It's truly beautiful, well finished and i'm itching to start it! The thing is, i had to wait 4 weeks for SWC to make my blade, it's to be expected when getting one made to your spec's and to his exacting standards. I had the Mick Spain blade in my hands 24 hrs after paying him! It's up to the same standards but i was lucky enough for the blade to be what i wanted and was ready there and then. Thanks Mick, it's awesome!:You_Rock_

 

[mick spain]

I think that the engraving was £10. He will drill the hioles to whatever size you want. I requested that he did'nt drill a lanyard hole and guess what.... he did'nt! (Thats attenetion to detail. I've actually changed my mind about getting more from SWC for the time being. I think that i should widen my experience and get blades from different makers and fit the scales myself as i really enjoyed the experience.

Coincidentally, Mick Spain (who posted on this thread) has just sold me a blank that i saw on BB. It's my next project that i'm starting while waiting for my SWC scales to finish. It's truly beautiful, well finished and i'm itching to start it! The thing is, i had to wait 4 weeks for SWC to make my blade, it's to be expected when getting one made to your spec's and to his exacting standards. I had the Mick Spain blade in my hands 24 hrs after paying him! It's up to the same standards but i was lucky enough for the blade to be what i wanted and was ready there and then. Thanks Mick, it's awesome!:You_Rock_

Thanks for that J, glad you liked it, I can usually get a blade done in a week to customers spec, but I don't do full kits