Knife Making Options

[swizz]

Time to learn something new. (I blame Woody for this)
I am going to build a custom knife... and hopefully many more after I get skilled enough.
I've learned a lot through the internet and am ready to get started, I'll post my progress. Hopefully I won't screw it up too bad.

So far....

I bought a fixed-handle knife blank. The overall length is 7" and the blade length is 3-1/4". It is 1/8" thick.
Good steel - 440c with a hardness of 56-58 RC so it should hold an edge really well.
This blade style is called "Western Skinner" and will make for a nice fish & bird knife when completed.


While I'm waiting for parts... I decided to practice some decorative file-work today. I plan to incorporate something like this on the Skinner.
This is a vine pattern that I practiced today on a piece of leaf-spring metal that Woody gave me (also 1/8" thick). I used several different needle-files to do this work. I'm ready to try it on the real thing.

[swizz]

Working on a 2-fer now. Another "cutlery" project since I did not make or shape the steel for these... just fabricating handles and sheathing. Easy breezy.
These are taxidermy scalpels. Knife of choice for my taxidermist friend to fully and quickly dismantle Bear and Elk in the shop or field. He requested orange so that it doesn't get lost in his work.
I picked up the blanks from my vendor and chose orange/black G10 material for the scales which will outlive us all... extremely tuff stuff.
He only needs one but I'm gonna make the other for myself to see what all the hoopla is about with this little dagger.
These are the same knives as the one pictured on page 14 of this thread but I lost the one in that shot before I completed it! I've turned this place inside-out twice looking for that damn thing but never found it. Last seen when I took that pic on page 14.... so this is the replacement (plus one for me ).

[swizz]

working on a new sheath design this morning

Ok.... here's how this sheath turned out. It goes out the door today. I made this knife for a friend a long while back (way earlier in this thread somewhere).
Skinner Sheath 1 1600 by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

Skinner Sheath 2 1600 by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

Skinner Sheath 3 1600 by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

[russau]

very nice picture presentation! it adds a lot of zip to the already quality knife!

[Denise]

Top notch work Chris!! That turned out incredible, great looking sheath also. That's one lucky friend to get such a sweet gift made by you. They will love it!!

[swizz]

Thanks!
I gave that knife to my firewood provider guy a year or two ago. It had a sheath but my leather skills were not near what they are now... so I had him bring it back and upgraded his sheath. He's a good tester and wore it every day for the last couple years or so... I was surprised that the knife still looks like brand new.

[swizz]

I have finished the pair of taxidermy scalpels and am now creating sheaths for them. I'll post pics when the sheaths are completed.
This is a press that I made for the sheaths which is essential for wet-forming leather to the shape of the knife. A total of 10 clamps on this one.
Leather Press 1600 by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

[russau]

Chris, do you just soak the leather in plain water or do you add chemicals to the water?

[swizz]

Just plain ol water for a few minutes before working it over the shape with my fingers and then clamping it down.

[Denise]

Holy cow, that is an intricate clamp setup you have going on there Chris! Bet it took lots of patience to just get that clamped and setting up like that. Looks like you have it standing on the T handles of the clamps? Looks like it works great!!

[swizz]

Clamping it is easy.
Making both parts of the die press to the correct shape (of the knife) is the challenge of wet-forming. Overall not too difficult but takes good measuring, cutting and a lot of sanding of the wood pieces. It can be re-used if I make more of these particular knives.

[swizz]

Here's how it turned out and a better look at the press. The orange/black material that I used for shaping is leftover G-10 handle material. It is adhered to the male end of the press. Usually wood is used for that but the G-10 is easy to shape and extremely durable... and a good use of scraps!


.... and this is the flip-side of the leather. It fits the knife perfect! Just need to make the rest of the sheath now.

[swizz]

Ok... here are the results of the pair of taxidermy scalpels.

Taxidermy scalpel pair 2 1600 by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

Taxidermy scalpel pair 1 1600 by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

This one goes to my taxidermist and this is the sheath I made for it.
Taxidermy scalpel and sheath 1600 by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

Taxidermy sheath back 1600 by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

[Woody]

Chris I swear if I had your talent........ Well I'd be better off than I am now anyway.

Nothing less than professional and that is some really great looking product. I hope you are rewarded well for your efforts. Woody.

[swizz]

Thanks Woody! I don''t think it's all that difficult.... just requires patience, attention to detail, and a lot of trial & error. Lots of "Texas two-step" if ya know what I mean.
I encourage anyone to try it and I'm always glad to help. Many have helped me and I still have a very long way to go with both knives and sheaths. It's a really fun road!
You will definitely be the benefactor of something from my bench in the future Woody. I owe this madness to you because of the machete!
It needs to be something special though and I won't be able to create that until I get a 2X72 to work with for the benefit of shaping steel the way I want to.

[swizz]

Can anyone identify the Colorado mineral I used for the background?