Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: Stretch on August 16, 2011, 11:41:33 pm

Title: My first knife
Post by: Stretch on August 16, 2011, 11:41:33 pm
It's an edger blade knife with a figured maple handle.  The handle is finished with rattle can spar urethane.  After seeing a few on here I had to try it out for myself.  I think I'm hooked. 

(http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz161/stretch2187/Knife.jpg)


Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: Lee Slikkers on August 16, 2011, 11:53:58 pm
Wow, what a killer knife...seriously it's your 1st?

Anyone have a tutorial on how to make these with idiot proof instructions for the heating portion  :o

Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: Stretch on August 17, 2011, 12:03:09 am
Wow, what a killer knife...seriously it's your 1st?

Thank you.

Anyone have a tutorial on how to make these with idiot proof instructions for the heating portion  :o

Yup, it's my first but...I am a master furniture maker and wood carver, so I've got a lot of experience shaping things and sharpening.  I also have a full assortment of stationary sanders.  I didn't heat treat the blade, but I did anneal the handle after it ate a HSS drill bit drilling the first hole.  All I did was give it a good heating with my propane torch and let it air cool. That softened it enough to drill easily with HSS drill bits.  I didn't feel the need to heat treat the blade as it is tempered harder than any of my store bought knives and I figure it should be plenty tough since it's made to bounce off sidewalks. 
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: Pappy on August 17, 2011, 07:08:54 am
That's beautiful,very fine work. :) :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: Stretch on August 18, 2011, 02:36:59 am
That's beautiful,very fine work. :) :)
   Pappy

Thank you Pappy, it was fun.   ;D 

I made a sheath for it today.  (actually two, the first one didn't turn out to my liking)

(http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz161/stretch2187/DSC04048.jpg)
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: Pappy on August 18, 2011, 09:33:52 am
Really cool looking set,did I mention I love knives. :) :) :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: Lee Slikkers on August 18, 2011, 10:25:17 am
yup Stretch you are really going to make me go look for some edger blades now...LOVE that knife!  Sheath looks really nice too.
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: _Jon_ on August 19, 2011, 03:32:52 am
Very well done!  Beauty!   :)
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: PeteC on September 09, 2011, 11:53:42 am
Beautiful job Stretch.Great looking knife. God Bless
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: Stretch on September 09, 2011, 12:14:47 pm
Beautiful job Stretch.Great looking knife. God Bless

Thanks Pete.  God bless you too!
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: ErictheViking on September 09, 2011, 01:37:24 pm
Wow, how did I miss this?  excellent work Stretch.  My favorite style with a very nice sheath.
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: swamp yeti on September 10, 2011, 02:07:56 am
Very nice,like the lanyard hole.
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: medicinewheel on September 10, 2011, 04:01:32 am
Nice work!
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: profsaffel on September 10, 2011, 11:10:11 am
Oh, my. As nice as the blade is, it's the eye-candy handle that has me oogly  :D
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: Stretch on September 10, 2011, 01:42:38 pm
Oh, my. As nice as the blade is, it's the eye-candy handle that has me oogly  :D

The handle came from a dead maple tree I cut down at my rental property. I discovered the whole thing was figured after I cut it up for firewood.   >:(  Luckily I saved a bunch for box building.  I've had it over a year and only built one box so I think the rest is gonna get used on knives.   :)  I've also got a big stash of figured walnut I'm using. 

Thanks for the encouragement fellas.  I've got a bunch more knives in the works. 
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: oversee on September 13, 2011, 01:21:50 am
Beautiful knife. What you have done to that wood is gorgeous. The blade is nice too. I think you might have a new business here.
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: Stretch on September 13, 2011, 02:24:55 am
Beautiful knife. What you have done to that wood is gorgeous. The blade is nice too. I think you might have a new business here.

Thank you.  Wood finishing is something I know well (I did an apprenticeship to learn that), but really it was just a matter of using a special piece of wood and not messing it up.  All I did was shape, sand, and spray with a few coats of rattle can Helmsman Spar Urethane, scuff sanding between coats.  The metal work is new, fun, and very relaxing.  I'm hoping to turn this into a bit of a side gig to earn a bit of money now that I'm going back to school...again.   :P   :)
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: bowtarist on September 13, 2011, 03:06:31 pm
Sweet work.  Sometime check out 4ester's (?) how-to etch a blade cheap.  I like the lanyard hole too.  Great job!!
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: jonathan creason on September 14, 2011, 11:17:18 am
That looks very nice.  What kind of edge does it take?
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: Stretch on September 14, 2011, 11:26:09 am
That looks very nice.  What kind of edge does it take?

Once I got the bevel angles on it right, it took a very good edge.  I pushed a burr back and forth on it with my oil stones then polished it on the power strop I use for my carving chisels and I had it popping hairs off my arm.  The only thing left is to see how long the edge lasts.  I tried to get a pig over the weekend to give it a workout as a skinner, but the pigs didn't cooperate.   >:(
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: jonathan creason on September 14, 2011, 12:29:35 pm
I've had pretty good luck getting a nice egde on these blades, but the edge retention is so-so (of course I haven't been able to test any of mine on hide yet).  They are great for trying out some knives, though.  If you are serious about building more I'd recommend ordering some quality steel from someone like Aldo (aka the New Jersey Steel Baron).  It's a known steel, so you know exactly how to heat treat, and it'll come out cheaper in the end.
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: Stretch on September 14, 2011, 02:56:47 pm
I've had pretty good luck getting a nice egde on these blades, but the edge retention is so-so (of course I haven't been able to test any of mine on hide yet).  They are great for trying out some knives, though.  If you are serious about building more I'd recommend ordering some quality steel from someone like Aldo (aka the New Jersey Steel Baron).  It's a known steel, so you know exactly how to heat treat, and it'll come out cheaper in the end.

Yeah, I intend to put in an order with Aldo once I get a forge built.  I also have a crud load of 1084 cable cut offs I got from my brother to play with.  He works at a company that makes wire rope and gets cut offs for nothing. 
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: jonathan creason on September 14, 2011, 06:52:05 pm
If you ever want to do any horse trading for some of that cable let me know, I'd love to try some of it.
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: Stretch on September 14, 2011, 08:56:35 pm
If you ever want to do any horse trading for some of that cable let me know, I'd love to try some of it.

Pay for shipping and I'll send you some.  It doesn't cost me anything, and you'll probably be saving it from a fiery death at my hands.   ;D
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: jonathan creason on September 14, 2011, 10:58:24 pm
Let me get to next week and I'll take you up on that deal.  I appreciate the offer.
Title: Re: My first knife
Post by: Stretch on September 15, 2011, 04:58:12 pm
Let me get to next week and I'll take you up on that deal.  I appreciate the offer.

No worries.  I'll be out of the country until the 28th.