Knife Making

[Noisydad]

Just when I thought this time burner was out of my system you have to go and stir the pot again...although my 87 year old father wants a Bowie so it's off to the shed again this week. Think I'll do a studded coffin shaped handle.

[darwindingo]

Sounds good Noisy, can"t wait to see it..

Damn I need to get to work on my belt grinder Well as soon as I finish all the other projects I have been slaving away at for the missus

BTW.. G, I wouldn't say that the Kitchen knife is "failed" just get creative with the handle and set it up to have the tang exposed on the spine and hidden on the belly would sort the issue and make for a nice interesting looking knife imo...



Jeff

[Gwion]

Just when I thought this time burner was out of my system you have to go and stir the pot again...although my 87 year old father wants a Bowie so it's off to the shed again this week. Think I'll do a studded coffin shaped handle.

Sounds good, Noisy.

[Gwion]

Nice work mate... Dibs on the skinner You know I love that lil skinner...

Itching to put it to the test on some sambar



Jeff

It will be at least a couple of weeks before I get handles on any, mate. I'm ordering some phenolic resin (heat cured resin) to vacuum impregnate some maple and Blackwood for scales and handle blocks. Got all the gear, just need the resin. It will make the handles tough as nails! I'll do extras and sell some. As you know, I have some pretty speccy timber that would make some A-grade blanks for handles and other pieces.

If you're still keen for the knife when it's done, your name is on it!

That kitchen knife was just ground too thin across the spine and the tang/blade join got down to about 1mm. Not worth finishing due to questionable strength. I do like the shape though.
I have a number of knife shaped pieces of steel that ended up too thin because I forged them out too far (and unevenly) before going to the grinder and lost too much material correcting warps and wobbles.all part of the learning curve and my forging skills have improved a lot. You don't learn by getting things right; you learn by screwing them up!

Knocked out 'Zombie Slayer #2' in about 1.5 hours last night. Will post some pics later. I think I like it!

[darwindingo]

Nice work mate... Dibs on the skinner You know I love that lil skinner...

Itching to put it to the test on some sambar



Jeff

It will be at least a couple of weeks before I get handles on any, mate. I'm ordering some phenolic resin (heat cured resin) to vacuum impregnate some maple and Blackwood for scales and handle blocks. Got all the gear, just need the resin. It will make the handles tough as nails! I'll do extras and sell some. As you know, I have some pretty speccy timber that would make some A-grade blanks for handles and other pieces.

If you're still keen for the knife when it's done, your name is on it!

That kitchen knife was just ground too thin across the spine and the tang/blade join got down to about 1mm. Not worth finishing due to questionable strength. I do like the shape though.
I have a number of knife shaped pieces of steel that ended up too thin because I forged them out too far (and unevenly) before going to the grinder and lost too much material correcting warps and wobbles.all part of the learning curve and my forging skills have improved a lot. You don't learn by getting things right; you learn by screwing them up!

Knocked out 'Zombie Slayer #2' in about 1.5 hours last night. Will post some pics later. I think I like it!

I'm keen mate, thanks....

So you ended up getting a vac chamber ? How big is it ? Big enough to do stock blanks ? Just thinking that some beautiful stocks and pistol grips etc...etc.. could be produced from the timber you have... I've also had good reports from blokes using vac bags for such things...

Absolutely agree that the best lessons are learned from the screw ups One can read a million books, but its not until you get hands on and do the hard yards that you truly develop skills....



Jeff

[Gwion]

Yeah, I got a vac chamber but it isn't huge. I think it should be wide enough for a stock blank but i would have to get a taller chamber to fit a stock. All i would need is a cylinder of the same diameter as all other hardware is easily transferable. I have looked at vac bagging but it is an expensive exercise and a bit more complicated than a simple chamber set up. I will be able to do plenty of knife scales, pistol handles, pen blanks, etc..
Should have the resin to get started by next week!

I bought the chamber, pump, etc and then a teacher mate picked up another pump from his school's science lab as they were replacing and discarding the old one. It's actually a better unit than the one i payed for, so i now have two!

Maybe i should test them both and sell the new one off is the old one works fine because i'm pretty skint right now!

[Gwion]

All waiting to be put together and finished off. A few detailing decisions to be made. Resin is ordered and on the way.

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[darwindingo]

All waiting to be put together and finished off. A few detailing decisions to be made. Resin is ordered and on the way.

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Looking good mate

How beautiful is that spalted maple That spalting will POP even more once subjected to the stabilisation process

[Gwion]

All waiting to be put together and finished off. A few detailing decisions to be made. Resin is ordered and on the way.

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Looking good mate

How beautiful is that spalted maple That spalting will POP even more once subjected to the stabilisation process

Sure will!
Just got to pick the right bits for the right knife. I should get a few knives out of each piece. They measure about 240x60mm. Possibly 4 knives per blank on the smaller handles.

[Gwion]

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Very happy with this!

Also, phenolic resin arrived today so it's all coming together now!

[happyhunter]

That's a really nice looking knife. Great job.

[Gwion]

Thanks HH!

[darwindingo]

That looks great, really like what you did with the handle.

[Gwion]

Well, bladesmithing season is upon us!

Here are some I've been working on. Trying to get a bunch up to polish stage and then fit handles to them all. I'm also working on a simple design that is easy to knock out for the test knives I promised last season. I'll make 4 in total.

Pics below.

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Nice work mate... Dibs on the skinner You know I love that lil skinner...

Itching to put it to the test on some sambar



Jeff

Nearly done, Jeff. A couple of minor issues with fit and finish but all in all a nicely balanced thing. That maple really adds something special.
I'll finish it off next week.

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[Gwion]

These two nearly finished.
The smaller skandi grind is my interpretation of a traditional Nordic utility knife. It was made for a cousin who does medieval reenactment and she wanted it for her Viking costume.

The broader blade is made as a prize for our rifle club 'dead eye' competition. The 'dead eye' total goes to the shooter who most consistently pits their first bullet of the day in or close to the bull over the season. When you shooting different ranges every week it's not so easy and forces you to really plan your shot (I came second, by the way! ).

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[darwindingo]

Well, bladesmithing season is upon us!

Here are some I've been working on. Trying to get a bunch up to polish stage and then fit handles to them all. I'm also working on a simple design that is easy to knock out for the test knives I promised last season. I'll make 4 in total.

Pics below.

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Nice work mate... Dibs on the skinner You know I love that lil skinner...

Itching to put it to the test on some sambar



Jeff

Nearly done, Jeff. A couple of minor issues with fit and finish but all in all a nicely balanced thing. That maple really adds something special.
I'll finish it off next week.

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Wow that looks great mate, look at just how much the spalting has popped (WOW)

The Nordic looks spec too and whom ever wins the dead eye comp should be rather pleased with themselves and the prize If I was closer I'd join up to have a stab at winning that one too PS,,, I wouldn't blame you for trying to win it yourself hehe...

Really nice work mate !

[Gwion]

Thanks mate. The 'Dead Eye' will be engraved with winners name, year and 'dead eye'. The comp, as of this year, has a perpetual trophy and a medal for 1st, 2nd, 3rd to be won as well. Last year was just a knife. I instigated the comp to encourage people to pay more attention to dope and conditions rather than just being lazy and relying entirely on sighters.

The skandi is a bit heavier in the spine than it needs to be but I'm happy with all in all. None of these will be 'perfect' but show a definite progression of my work and skill.

The test blades I make will be like the skandi but with a full length tang and the blade drawn out a little longer and thinner on the spine. The handle will be cord wrapped and I'll send them to testers for a bit of torture testing. If they stand up well and the testers want them completed they can send them back and I'll fit a proper handle.

[Gwion]

Ready to go, Darwin Dingo!

Just an edge to grind and serial number to engrave. Are you a superstitious type? This is number 13 finished!

A few little scratches and such but all in all I'm pretty pleased with it.

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[Gwion]

4 finished up over the last couple of weeks. All off to new homes.

Next job it to make these test knives for you guys!

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[happyhunter]

Great work Gwion.

[Gwion]

Thanks, mate.

[darwindingo]

Ready to go, Darwin Dingo!

Just an edge to grind and serial number to engrave. Are you a superstitious type? This is number 13 finished!

A few little scratches and such but all in all I'm pretty pleased with it.

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It looks awesome mate (they all do)

You need to get a website set up for stabilised blanks etc.. mate.... I was thinking that I could take the knife down to the men's shed and the local wood clubs (in Albury, Wodonga, Wangaratta and could send some pics to some blokes I know that are involved in such places in the NT also) to showcase the beautiful wood you have available (It may help generate a market for you) I visited the men's shed a few months back in Wodonga and encountered a number of wood turners there that were turning pens etc.. I suspect that they would quite likely purchase some stabilised blanks etc.. (postage would be reasonable for such items..)

I think that the wood clubs in particular could produce a reasonable customer base....

There is also a bloke that stocks various blanks in Wodonga as a business that I was told about, I've been meaning to go and see him.. He may well be Interested in adding another supplier to his list... I would be more than happy to explore the possibility and help make the connection, should he be interested....

A web site would be a good idea imo.. (Somewhere to refer people to)... Have you considered setting one up ? (we have some guys around here that may be of assistance in that regard)....

Edit.. Oh and no I'm not superstitious 13 has always proved to be a lucky number for me

BTW.....You say "A few little scratches and such but all in all I'm pretty pleased with it" Let me assure you I'm not concerned about a few little scratches mate, it looks to be a very nice looking and well balanced knife to me mate (just looks like its going to feel real good in the hand)...
Feel free to be " All in all pretty pleased with it" but, from what I'm seeing you should be as proud as a pig in $hit (so to speak) IMO...

Further Edit........Just showed these pics to my mate's friend's grand pa after the topic came up, He apparently made knives for many years when he was younger and said, "This young fella has the eye !" ........ He was impressed with your designs.... Personally I agree with his comment's (except for the young fella bit, as you are several years older than me mate) ...



Jeff

[Gwion]

Hey mate. I'd really appreciate anything you could do to drum up some potential sales. AT any rate, I hope you like the knife and get a lot of good use out of it.
I'll PM you for your details as they were in my other phone that cracked itself a while a go.

[Oldbloke]

Moved. Post deleted

[Gwion]

One I made for my wife's birthday. Really happy with the stabilisation process and finishing technique I've been developing.
I have another two finally shed and another custom order almost done and 3 others to fit handles to that I will list on Etsy. Another custom request for a Japanese inspired cooks knife..... Still planning to make these testers for you guys but paid orders are taking priority at the moment.

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[darwindingo]

Looking really good mate ! I can see this turning into a full time job...

Btw.. Tracking indicates the skinner is in Seymour atm.. so may turn up here tomorrow..

[Gwion]

Nah... Just a winter hobby that turns a bit of extra cash. Once you count all the consumables etc, there's teally not much money in it unless I was selling for primo prices.

[darwindingo]

Hey Gwion

The skinner turned up today I have to say that the posted pictures really don't do it justice.. This is one seriously nice knife, the finishing is outstanding and it is very well balanced (razor sharp too) It feel's superb in the hand, I can hardly bring myself to put it down... Also, thanks for making the sheath for it

Thanks again for the knife I'm one very happy Dingo..

[Gwion]

All good, mate. Just make sure you report back on performance; good or bad.

Also you probably want to touch up the gut hook with an ezi-lap pen diamond steel.my sharpening tools didn't really get in there very well.

[darwindingo]

Will do Hope to get out for a hunt soon, with luck I'll get a deer and can break this baby in...