Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: Justin.schmidt23 on August 26, 2016, 12:11:09 am

Title: Bone blade knife
Post by: Justin.schmidt23 on August 26, 2016, 12:11:09 am
So I started to try and make knives a while from metal and it's just so durn expensive and honestly a complete pain. I've been tossing around the idea of making a bone blade knife to carry but honestly I question their durability. What say you?
Title: Re: Bone blade knife
Post by: osage outlaw on August 26, 2016, 12:48:57 am
look for old USA made files at yard sales or junk stores.  You can make a nice knife from those for very little cost.
Title: Re: Bone blade knife
Post by: Justin.schmidt23 on August 26, 2016, 12:51:22 am
I seen you did that on blade forums.  All I have are files to work with though. And grinding out a knife with just a file is about as fun as watching wood season. :-\
Title: Re: Bone blade knife
Post by: osage outlaw on August 26, 2016, 01:01:05 am
You can anneal the file to make it easy to work.  I use a small 1x30 belt sander. 
Title: Re: Bone blade knife
Post by: Jodocus on August 26, 2016, 11:14:53 am
You can get an angle grinder dirt cheap, and do most of the work with that. I hate to though, it's noisy and dirty. But certainly what I use for that kind of task. It's as versatile and as simple as a heat gun.
Title: Re: Bone blade knife
Post by: sleek on August 26, 2016, 12:25:30 pm
I have made a few with a file. When removing material with a file, draw file with it. And use a bastard cut. Works great.
Title: Re: Bone blade knife
Post by: Justin.schmidt23 on August 26, 2016, 01:31:11 pm
I have made a few with a file. When removing material with a file, draw file with it. And use a bastard cut. Works great.
I tried it that way once and it just wasn't working out lol
I have a 4.5 in angle grinder but I have a problem keeping the angle the exact same even with a file. Granted I have a crap Nicholson file that seems really soft
Title: Re: Bone blade knife
Post by: sleek on August 26, 2016, 02:34:15 pm
A crap nicholson? Never heard tell of such a creature.
Title: Re: Bone blade knife
Post by: osage outlaw on August 26, 2016, 03:43:19 pm
A crap nicholson? Never heard tell of such a creature.

I have.  They say Brazil on the side of them.
Title: Re: Bone blade knife
Post by: mullet on August 26, 2016, 09:42:46 pm
Go on the Build a Long thread, Kevin has a great step by step for building a file knife with hardly any tools.
Title: Re: Bone blade knife
Post by: Dakota Kid on August 30, 2016, 01:04:33 pm
I've made a few decent knives cold forged from old circular saw blades. As was already said, an angle grinder, grinding wheel, and a dremel with the sharpening bits are pretty much all you need. Oh and patience, reshaping hardened steel without heat is a slow process, especially if you're using mostly hand tools and elbow grease.