New Knife (Newb)

[Fiddleback]

I'm very new to this forum (1st thread) and to forums in general. I'm a knife nut since I was a kid. My dad and grandad are too. I recently discovered khukuris and have been collecting them recently. Its those knives that got me into forums. Another thing I've gotten into recently is making knives. I really like the utilitarian nature of a simple sharp cutter. Just wanted to get the consensus on this knife, which is my fourth knife overall and my first pukko-ish blade. I grind these knives from old Nicholson files, which is good carbon steel, then anneal them from file hardness down to knife hardness in my oven. This knife cost me less than a dollar to make. The handle is curly maple, wenge, and cocobolo. The square pins, wenge, go all the way through. I am very excited to be here, and love this new hobby. Don't go easy on me I want to know what you really think. I've posted this on another forum, so if you've seen this, or I know you already sorry and/or hello again.

 

[Lifthasir]

I would appreciate any information regarding the temperatures you use
and the methods to achieve them in order to temper your blades accordingly.

This summer, I'd like to experiment with a charcoal fired eath pit.

 

[Lifthasir]

By the way, I like your knife. Not only is the handle attractive but a I like the
steeply round tip of the blade. It looks like it would be good for hollowing out.

 

[StormWalker]

Hello and welcome.

Really nice looking knife but my only thought is, with the handle being square does get uncomfortable after a couple off hours use?

 

[Fiddleback]

To answer your question, Lifthasir, I will detail the Po-Boy knifemaking process. Before I start I would like to give credit for this method to my mentor Sarge from another forum who tought me how to do this.

The good thing about the Po-Boy method is that anyone can do it without any kind of forge what so ever. The only power tool you need is a grinder. I get my files from pawn shops or junk stores. I won't pay more than a dollar a file. Files are hardened to RC 65 (at this hardness its brittle) or so, but a knife only needs to be at ~RC 58-60 (much more durable/less likely to snap). So, as long as I don't burn off the heat treat during grinding, all I have to do is soften the steel to get it at a good hardness for a knife. I grind slowly and keep a bucket of water nearby to cool the blade when I can feel it getting hot (must work barehanded). Once the grind is close to what I want I put the blade in my oven at 425 degrees for an hour. !!The steel should attain a dark straw color (think Bass Ale) by the end of the process!! Crack your oven and let the steel cool slowly. Its now soft enough to use as a knife. The tang must be softened even more to keep the blade from snapping at the base of the handle. Wrap the blade with a wet paper towel and take a propane torch to the tang of the knife till its red hot. Then let it cool slowly. Now do up your handle, polish the blade with sandpaper, and voiala, you've made yourself one hell of a cutter. It will hold an edge well and is easy to sharpen. Mine has a convex grind, which I prefer, so when it gets dull I just strop a few strokes.

Its pretty comfortable in the hand. I use it to carve and do utility chores around the shop. I'm currently grinding three more of these for gifts, and my grinds are getting better and better. I've ordered three fire bricks and will be building a one brick forge (very cheaply) to use with my propane blow torch, so soon I will learn to forge the blades and do the heat treat. My sheaths are coming along too. Wanna see some pics of those?

 

[JohnC]

Hi there, I like the knife
Is the hole in the tang square as well?

I'd be intersted in seeing the sheaths as well

John C

 

[Lifthasir]

Fiddleback - that's perfect. The colour of Bass Ale. Didn't know you got
Bass Ale over there!!! I presume you mean the UK Bass?

 

[Fiddleback]

John, the hole goes through the handle blank before it has been drilled out for the tang. I don't pin the tang into the handle. I use devcon 2 ton epoxy to hold the tang in there. Its a rat tail type and goes 3/4 through the handle. I've never had one break. I file some indentions into the tang, and drill two small holes near the end for the epoxy to grab.

As for whether Bass Ale is the same over here I wouldn't know (never been there). I don't drink low quality beers though, and Bass over here is OK. Think of a good ale with a nice rich amber color (colour) and you're OK.

 

[Hoodoo]

Very beautiful knife. Wonderfully designed handle. I think the squarish handle would actually be quite comfortable to use for extended periods of heavy cutting because it gives a nice flat surface to push against. Good hard worker. :You_Rock_

 

[Fiddleback]

Here are some scabbards I've made. Just started this part of my hobby. Lemme know what you think.

 

[Tutchi]

I'm very new to this forum (1st thread) and to forums in general. I'm a knife nut since I was a kid. My dad and grandad are too. I recently discovered khukuris and have been collecting them recently. Its those knives that got me into forums. Another thing I've gotten into recently is making knives. I really like the utilitarian nature of a simple sharp cutter. Just wanted to get the consensus on this knife, which is my fourth knife overall and my first pukko-ish blade. I grind these knives from old Nicholson files, which is good carbon steel, then anneal them from file hardness down to knife hardness in my oven. This knife cost me less than a dollar to make. The handle is curly maple, wenge, and cocobolo. The square pins, wenge, go all the way through. I am very excited to be here, and love this new hobby. Don't go easy on me I want to know what you really think. I've posted this on another forum, so if you've seen this, or I know you already sorry and/or hello again.

Welcome to the forum M8. The only thing for me to improve it and I stress 'me' would be to drop the nose a little. Otherwise great.
Tutchi

 

[JohnC]

Thaks forthe reply re the handle..
I'm impressed with the sheaths, esp the kukhri. Look solid, hard wearing.

 

[capacious]

Hey, your knife looks like the blade is great for large carving projects and skinning, but I'd say the handle could do with being shaped a bit more. Your choice of woods is stunning, so properly finished that knife would be beautiful. And those sheaths are fantastic If only you lived in Blighty, then you could do a custom job for me

Jake.

 

[pierre girard]

Very nice sheaths.

PG

 

[Fiddleback]

I actually wanted that handle shape. That knife is so dang sharp that it'll cut a freely hanging hair. I am very worried about my hand slipping up onto the blade. I left it squareish for that very reason. Plus I like the transition from square to rounded on the ends of the handle. I'm really getting into sheathmaking. I'll be making more and posting in the near future. You guys got a nice forum here. I like it. Thanks for all the kind words.

Andy