New small one

[cybertrix]

I have been working on a small utility knife with a tapered tang that I did using hand files. It was allot of work but easier than I thought, well worth the effort. I have an identical blank waiting to have the same treatment; I haven’t decided what wood to use for handles on that one yet.

I just have to finish the handle and I will make a sheath for it. Here are the specs.

OAL 185mm or 7 1/4 inches, Blade length 82mm or 3 1/4 inches. Steel is EN9 3.8mm thick, with a hard satin finish followed by a light buffing in Homage to Jason Cutter. Tang tapers to 1.25 mm. The blade is flat ground. Handle is Mexican Bocote with Brick Red vulcanised fibre liners, brass pins with a Danish Oil finish.

For some reason I love making small knives. I love this one and can't wait to see it with its partner.

For Scale

Hope you like it, Any and all comments welcome.

 

[Andy2112]

very, very nice mate, well done, looks superb.

 

[caliban]

You did that with hand tools? That's marvelous! Cracking wee knife.

 

[Bernie Garland]

You tapered the tang by hand ?thats some mean feat must have taken hours.

Bernie

 

[Indoorsout]

That looks like the perfect whittling knife!

 

[sam_acw]

Looks wonderful, it would be a great little crafting knife

 

[Ozhaggishead]

Looks like a nice wee knife mate.

 

[g4ghb]

Nice knife mate - I particularly like the last photo though - the one where it is so sharp it is slicing through your finger with no mess!

 

[British Red]

Love that tapered tang! I have that on a couple of mine and it really help the balance with a distal taper

May I suggest bog oak for the next one?

 

[philaw]

Did you REALLY do the tapered tang with hand tools? It's perfectly tapered and perfectly aligned. I'm pretty staggered.

 

[GreenmanBushcraft]

Really nice looking knife!

Kris

 

[Hoodoo]

That is some awesome work! Not only some amazing work with files, but I love the size and style.That would make an excellent bird and trout knife as well as a whittler.:You_Rock_

 

[Paganwolf]

Thats cracking work buddy, great filing work getting the tang down, i remember doing stuff like that when i was on the tools, unfortunatly not on knives though lol.
Nice one and very skillfully done too its good to see someone using hand tools rather than a plethora of bench mounted nicknacks

 

[cybertrix]

Thanks for all the great comments. When i made it I was trying to get two small knives out of one piece of metal so it took some fancy hacksawing not to waste any.

The two similar knives were cut from a piece of steel the same as the one in the photo. I cut lightening holes in the handle of the one I was tapering.

The knife is a bit thick for a bird and trout and I intended it as a mini version of a bushcraft type knife. The blade is 3.8mm thick and that makes for s sturdy blade even though I gave it a flat grind and not the scandi type grind that seems popular with bushcraft type knives. The second knife will have a scandi grind and a tapered tang but something different for handles. Unfortunately I don't have any bog oak and my budget is tied up waiting for some new leather, I do have some Cocobolo but the dust disagrees with me terribly. I also have some Rosewood of unknown origin and some Muhuhu, which I am itching to try. As soon as I get them both done and in sheaths I will post some more pics.

 

[brancho]

Nice work indeed.

 

[philaw]

Not only does he make an amazing knife, using only the file on his SAK, but he's made two from one piece of steel.

Lads; he's trying to embarrass us.

 

[brancho]

I also like the display stand which I may copy I think.

 

[cybertrix]

I also like the display stand which I may copy I think.

I had to make something to help me photograph my knives, every time I set up they always move at the vital moment.

 

[UKdave]

Really nice knife,but one question, given the size and "delicate" nature of the knife why such heavy stock?

 

[cybertrix]

Really nice knife,but one question, given the size and "delicate" nature of the knife why such heavy stock?

I take it by heavy stock you mean the thickness of the metal, in which case the EN9 pieces I got were just under 4mm so by the time I finished the knife they were 3.8mm. A thickness I consider reasonable for the type of knife and the work it would have to do if used for the purpose I intended. (Bushcraft, whittling etc) I don't consider the knife to be delicate. I made it a touch smaller than usual for a smaller hand. People with smaller hands have trouble with bulky handles so my last few knives have been aimed at women and small-handed or young men. The tapered tang IMO does not reduce the strength of the knife if used correctly.