Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => At the Forge => Topic started by: BrianS on March 30, 2018, 04:13:04 pm

Title: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: BrianS on March 30, 2018, 04:13:04 pm

First let me admit I have no idea what I am doing but figured I would give this a try. A Friend was boiling maple sap, so I asked if he would put three old files in the fire and let them in the fire until it went out. Afterwards I was able to cut, grind and drill a rough knife blank out. Next step was to try to harden the steel so I used some hardwood charcoal and a electric blower and I was able to get the blade red hot before quenching it in some oil. I then put the blade in my Wife's oven to soften it up a little. Epoxied and pinned some maple wood slabs on and sanded it to shape. TruOil finish. Not pretty but seems to hold a edge.

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: BrianS on March 30, 2018, 04:14:20 pm

The rest of the story

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: burchett.donald on March 30, 2018, 05:57:16 pm

Brian,
          Heat with a slow cool down, annealing is what I like to do also with files...Makes the work much easier in the beginning stages...What kind of oil did you use for your quench...Nice blade  (f)
                                                                                                                                         Don

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: BrianS on March 30, 2018, 06:00:54 pm

Don,
I used motor oil. Not sure if that was good or bad?
Brian

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: KHalverson on March 30, 2018, 07:25:04 pm

that'll work.
heck of a first knife.

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: Hawkdancer on March 30, 2018, 11:10:44 pm

Ain't nobody going to believe you made that with maple sugar >:D Lol!  Nice job, and a useable knife!
Hawkdancer

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: bubby on March 31, 2018, 10:53:30 am

Motor oil is not great, besides most having additives the smoke is really really bad for you. Canola is a better option

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: BrianS on March 31, 2018, 06:04:35 pm

Thanks Bubby. I will use Canola oil next time.

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: Trapper Rob on March 31, 2018, 06:49:53 pm

Nice knife.

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: Pappy on April 02, 2018, 03:06:53 pm

Nice job Brian, that is about the way I done my last 2 , I used burnt diesel motor oil also to quench. Didn't know it was bad for me, o well what isn't anymore. :)
 Pappy

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: BrianS on April 03, 2018, 03:51:39 am

A little better picture of the finished knife and a picture of two others that I just started.

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: Pappy on April 03, 2018, 06:10:12 am

You are on a roll Brian, nice projects going.
 Pappy

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: Hawkdancer on April 03, 2018, 12:06:25 pm

Nice blades!  What are you going to haft them with?
Hawkdancer

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: osage outlaw on April 03, 2018, 12:44:03 pm

Nice looking knife!

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: BrianS on April 03, 2018, 02:59:04 pm

HawkDancer,
Thinking of using a piece of antler for the handle on one and probably wood with brass pins for the other handle. Glued on with some epoxy.

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: PaulN/KS on April 04, 2018, 03:55:03 pm

Sweet..  :OK

Title: Re: Maple Syrup Knife Making
Post by: Stoner on April 06, 2018, 03:02:06 pm

Great job right there! I can't wait to try myself, but scared that I'll have a new addiction. As if I don't have enough according to my wife, bows, arrows, leatherwork, stone carving, and the list goes on and on and on......... John