Woo hoo....Just finished my first forged knife and I am well pleased..

[JonnyP]

This started as an old file. At the Cornwall meet we had Tristan with his mobile forge there and we all made things.. I decided to make a knife.. I hammered away for half a day making this...

I took it home and wondered what wood to use as scales.. I decided on Banana wood.. Well that is what I am told it is called. It is made from the pallets that Indian stone comes on.. It is quite a heavy wood and so I assumed it would be ok for a knife handle, but having filed and sanded it, it doesn't seem so tough after all...
I like to use materials what I have lying around, rather than buying something..
I could always change the scales if they are no good anyway....
I got the files out and filed it to a more pleasing and (to me) useful shape.
I stuck the scales on with araldite (sp..?) and the pins are from a 6" bolt that I found lying around.. It has been sanded down and oiled with boiled lindseed oil..
I love it, but it is quite heavy... The spine is 4mm thick...
Thoughts please, positive and negative...

 

[Matt Weir]

Good stuff Jon. I can imagine the sense of satisfaction and achievement you are feeling mate

 

[JonnyP]

Good stuff Jon. I can imagine the sense of satisfaction and achievement you are feeling mate

Cheers Matt, I do feel chuffed with it, every part has taken me a lot of time and effort. It is hair poppingly sharp and feels good in my hand, though it is v heavy...
All I need now is a sheaf...

 

[SOAR]

Nice work fella, looks really good, great idea to use old materials to make something new, I like it.

 

[JonnyP]

Nice work fella, looks really good, great idea to use old materials to make something new, I like it.

Cheers Simon.. Since making it I have found some (much harder) snake wood,, I had lying around, but I am pleased with the results that the banana wood has produced, so no regrets..

 

[Shinken]

that is absolutely fantastic mate!

 

[redandshane]

Thats yours now mate dont underestimate that feeling.....ever
Thats a nice looking tool
I wish i was at that stage in skill
I like the wood as is
Nice one well done

 

[SOAR]

Cheers Simon.. Since making it I have found some (much harder) snake wood,, I had lying around, but I am pleased with the results that the banana wood has produced, so no regrets..

So you will be making another then?, I look forward to seeing it.

 

[xlfive]

Excellent,I'm looking forward to having a go at making my own soon,just need to do a bit more reading up

 

[g4ghb]

Very nice mate! - I would hope my first forged knife would be 1/2 as good as that and i'd be VERY chuffed! (not that there is much chance of me having a go though..... )

 

[Dingo]

Hey John, thats a nice piece you have crafted there, you have put some work in since the last time i saw it, great stuff, you should be proud.

Adam.

hey Graham, maybe Tristan will be at the next meet at Smarty's next easter, perhaps you could come!

 

[Alex.W]

That knife looks so cool Its got a character of its own. Nice work.

 

[JonnyP]

Thanks for the nice comments guys....
Andyn has some leather for me, so I will be doing a sheath for it somewhen. I am not very clued up on leather work, but I will get the photo's up when its all done...

 

[Ogri the trog]

You should use that with pride JonnyP,
and never be tempted to part with it.

Great work, thanks for sharing.

Ogri the trog

 

[JonnyP]

You should use that with pride JonnyP,
and never be tempted to part with it.

Great work, thanks for sharing.

Ogri the trog

I shall use it with pride... Thanks Ogri..

 

[TheGreenMan]

The knife has great charm. Well done.

Kind regards,
Paul.

 

[Tony]

That's a lovely knife, a great accomplishment

 

[JonnyP]

Cheers guys...

 

[brancho]

Nice job I like it.
I need to have a go at this myself.

 

[JonnyP]

Andyn sent me some leather and I have finally got around to making a sheath for my knife...
I was worried about starting, cutting the leather and all that incase it went wrong, but I followed a good tutorial from Maver and then added my own touch to it...
The leather thonging I used on the belt support, I was going to use for all the stitching, but it was not very strong, so I found some whipping thread we had lying around and used that instead... I ended up with this....

I have no special leather working tools, though I did borrow a hole punch from someone..I was going to use a drill, but the hole punch seemed to be better... All the cutting I did with my knife.. 4mm leather is quite tough...
I made a mistake of cutting the sheath too small, so the knife is a very tight fit, but I am hoping it will loosen with use...
I have no leather dyes so I just rubbed a load of dubbin into it. I hope this will be ok...?
Overall I am pleased with it, I just hope it loosens up so I can get the knife out easier....