Knife Making Options

[Caveman]

Will do! I hope to get there two to three times at least..... plus learn more about the process on what we talked about on the phone. That's the real reason for the two wheel
wheelbarrow. I have a real need to learn how to do this properly. The offer will stand - so if you ever want to take me up on it, just let me know. Right now, it's just a fun
machine, not a money-maker. It needs a thorough work-out, and I hope to give it that this year.

Also, thanks! - "Too cool" has never been an adjective used in the same sentence with my name before. I am humbled. But... careful - my head may get
way too big for my lion skin and I'll have to join the ranks of the "fancy" lads! Karen will kill me if I get a kilt and learn to play bagpipes!
And.... I am way too old to start tossing cabers, although - I have been known to huck some very large rocks......

[Dypheron]

And you know I'll be up there helping this summer too Chris, I was already planning on getting a pump, no reason why I couldn't let you break it in up there... Seriously though, you're cool enough to extend the offer to prospect on your claim, no reason to not help you out as a thank you. In other words, we want you digging and making knives...at the same time. While balancing a tea cup on your nose. And standing on one leg. While dressed as big bird. Well, maybe not the tea cup.

Scott, we'll have to get together after I get back and maybe drive up there together, split the cost of gas for the weekend. I don't know about you, but 12-16 mpg in the blazer adds up quick on a long trip.

[Caveman]

And you know I'll be up there helping this summer too Chris, I was already planning on getting a pump, no reason why I couldn't let you break it in up there... Seriously though, you're cool enough to extend the offer to prospect on your claim, no reason to not help you out as a thank you. In other words, we want you digging and making knives...at the same time. While balancing a tea cup on your nose. And standing on one leg. While dressed as big bird. Well, maybe not the tea cup.

Scott, we'll have to get together after I get back and maybe drive up there together, split the cost of gas for the weekend. I don't know about you, but 12-16 mpg in the blazer adds up quick on a long trip.

Right there with ya! I was hoping for that. I will let you know.

[Crusty]

Scott, we'll have to get together after I get back and maybe drive up there together, split the cost of gas for the weekend. I don't know about you, but 12-16 mpg in the blazer adds up quick on a long trip.

If y'all got room for a third, I'd love to come help out!

[Caveman]

I've got problem with that if Chris has no problem..... Might get kinda tight in the truck, though - equipment, 2 dogs, you, a caveman, and a fancy lad!

I'm sure there's room, though, if Brandon's willing to put the bagpipes in the back...... and leave his caber at home.

[swizz]

Brandon, I'm sitting here at the ranch licking my wounds from a really challenging day (by old guy standards) and your suggestion honestly had me laughing my arse off out loud in this quiet little cabin. The critters around the cabin are probably thinking I'm on something now. Hell, I was chatting it up with the birds this morning so they all know I'm a nut.
Of course Crusty is more than welcome at my claims! All CP Lifetime members are always welcome. You guys have 40 acres of awesomeness at your disposal with much virgin ground, hard work of course but that's mining. Sometimes not as hard as other times... gotta dig smart.

[Dypheron]

I may pick up a crew cab truck when I get home, assuming there's something decent up at Al Serra. That would solve the comfortable seating quite nicely I think, and still have plenty of room for gear.


I'm glad you got a good laugh out of it Chris, just because you were talking to the birds doesn't make you crazy. Now, if they start talking back...

[Crusty]

I've got problem with that if Chris has no problem..... Might get kinda tight in the truck, though - equipment, 2 dogs, you, a caveman, and a fancy lad! I'm sure there's room, though, if Brandon's willing to put the bagpipes in the back...... and leave his caber at home.

I don't mind driving either, so I can always follow y'all in my Avalanche.

[swizz]

ok you goofballs, back to topic.....

I'm still in the process of making that sheath and will update.
Meanwhile, I'm working on a quick and fun side project for my taxidermist friend.
I can't shape steel again until I get that 2X72 belt grinder but he wanted this knife so he bought the knife blank and just needs for me to create a handle and sheath. This is a small knife but he says he prefers to quickly dismantle Elk and Bear with this exact knife. The blank is made by Indian River Trading Company, stainless. He said that he wanted an orange/black handle so that it would be easier to deal with when slopped up with hide, fat, blood, etc.
As a note of interest, since I am only fabricating/attaching a handle to a pre-made blade with this project I am not a "Maker" of this knife. The proper term would be "Cutler". A Cutler is not a Knifemaker by technical standards... a Cutler is someone who attaches handles to knives. I am indeed a "Maker"... just not on this little side project. Being a skilled Cutler is prerequisite to Knifemaking.

[fenixsmom]

I mean to not step on your toes by suggesting this, but what about an ergonomic, nubby, firm gel-ish handle? Hand fatigue and no grip make gutting difficult. My huband does a "boneless quartering" technique that leaves all the skin, bones, innarss and hide behind. He says that his hands get cold and crampy while doing his thing. He uses this scalpel looking knife with replaceable blades and a weak hilt (? Handle). So I imagine the lack of a handle is what's causing issues.
Just being nosey sorry!

[swizz]

Good questions. There are disadvantages to using soft handle materials. Specifically durability, extreme temperature/environment tolerance, chemical resistance, and longevity.
When a good maker or cutler releases a knife or sword to the world he or she wants it to last for well over 100yrs... and that means even if it were lost in the woods or a river for many years. It needs to survive the test of time and abuse long after the maker is gone.
So... with that in mind I prefer to use very rigid and stable materials for my works and can shape them to any ergonomic preference. I like organic materials like wood, bone, and hopefully minerals once I get established but not opposed to good synthetics designed for knifemaking like G-10, Micarta, or Carbon Fiber. I do not like plastics, plastic/gem composites (although some composites are very good), or rubber... that's for the cheap disposable cutlery that factories crank out. Any maker worth their salt uses high grade materials for handles.
Here's a link to one of my supplier's list of handle materials, some are pre-textured for grip but I can texture about anything: Jantz Handle Material

[fenixsmom]

Good point. I Never considered durability and longevity.

[swizz]

Hand fatigue and no grip make gutting difficult. My husband does a "boneless quartering" technique that leaves all the skin, bones, innards and hide behind. He says that his hands get cold and crampy while doing his thing.

In this case I would recommend a handle design similar to the Damascus Arctic Hunter (pg. 12) that I pictured recently in this thread (same one I'm making a sheath for now). That's a hunter/skinner designed with an oversized ergonomic handle and the finger grips are intentionally set further apart so that it is most useful while wearing gloves and field dressing a Caribou during an arctic blizzard. It's more comfortable to grip when wearing gloves, very firm in the hand. Feels too big and less comfortable without gloves.
I'm not suggesting that "blade" shape for him but giving an example of the oversized handle designed for cold/wet conditions when wearing gloves is practical while field dressing. I don't think that any "knife companies" sell anything specifically made to be used with gloves but I could be wrong on that.

[swizz]

Good point. I Never considered durability and longevity.

I have a good example of that which I'm also working on.
This is an old Bowie (at least 50yrs) made by Solingen, a German company. A friend bought it at a garage sale for 5 or 10 bucks. In that condition it isn't worth anything more than that.
Judging by the condition I would say that this one has been exposed to water or corrosives for a long period of time, maybe lost in the woods. The steel is deeply pitted... however, I was very surprised to note that it is still very sharp and appears to have never been sharpened. This tells me that it is very good German steel. Worth restoring? Probably not, but I can't stand to throw things away and it'll be a fun project. The broken handle is plastic... fake bone, junk! The tiny guard is brass, as is the pommel screw, both useless. The original pommel (end cap) is missing. The black and white spacer material is plastic, junk! So ya, even though this is what I would consider excellent steel, they used garbage mass production materials and the handle assembly eventually broke apart.
The fist with three arrows is an awesome maker's mark though.
I have some ideas for it though and will resurrect it like a fiery Phoenix! It will live again, it deserves to.

[fenixsmom]

I think it would be a great restoration project! Can't waste good steel!