My First Knife

[footfootfoot]

I was disappointed that he tried to fill the void with superglue. And then tore off the handle. I would have tried shellac stick, it can be used to mimic figured grain by using different colors much the same way the damascus is done. Otherwise I'd consider inlaying a design in silver or gold or ivory or mother of pearl or something. That would make it seem intentional, it could also be a counterpoint to the single rivet. He could have cast a small decorative concho or whatever you call it.

Just my .02 as a creative problem solver who hates to do things twice.

Since I am an attention whom are, here are some photos of my knife made about 16 years ago.

The steel is from a coil spring we scavenged at an auto junk yard. We used leaf springs for wood turning tools and froes and axe heads and such. the coil spring was straightened and flattened then roughly shaped, and sandblasted. There are still a lot of files marks and grinder marks.

The guard and pommel were first made in wax and then cast in Brittania Metal which I then dimpled with a tiny ball peen hammer that I made out of a grade 5 bolt that I ground and polished.

The handle is from some walnut from a 200 year old tree that that was cut down to make way for a hospital. My teacher and his friend brought a chainsaw mill to the building site and took away most of the trunk. A friend and I got to keep some of the larger branches (8-12 in diameter) I still have some of it sawn into bowl blanks. I just expoxied or bondo-ed the handle and pommel on.

I have no idea of the rockwell hardness but a file has to be pretty new and sharp to bite the steel. After looking at Wheeler's process I see how I did a lot of things out of step causing me problems later.

Maybe I will sharpen it. The handle is a bit slim for my hand.

[footfootfoot]

One of the pommel. Not sure that is the right name, but whatever.

[zippyt]

Those have tiny handles. I'd be curious to see how they feel in my (large) hands.

I carry a Spyderco Dragon fly ,
Small Knife that fills my large hands ,
Weird at first until you start working with it

[classicman]

foot3 - that's awesome and you were how old?

[Griff]

Well done footie.

Amazing thread PW and keep the links coming guys, this is really interesting stuff.

[glatt]

Great knife, Foot!

This thread is interesting, and the timing is good too. My son wants to make a knife, but I have no real tools for it. Plus, I don't allow him to use power tools yet. I showed him where I have a scrap bar of steel, and where the hack saw and files are. He filed on that bar for about 60 seconds before giving up. In 7 years he will be old enough to join the local blacksmith club and use their shop.

Until then, I guess he will have to stick to wood. He's made 3-4 wooden swords so far. I should take a picture of his latest. It's actually pretty good. A half lap joint holds the guard on, and the sword is nice and sharp on the edges with a blunt tip and an carved handle.

[Perry Winkle]

Cool knife, F3.

Originally Posted by glatt

This thread is interesting, and the timing is good too. My son wants to make a knife, but I have no real tools for it. Plus, I don't allow him to use power tools yet. I showed him where I have a scrap bar of steel, and where the hack saw and files are. He filed on that bar for about 60 seconds before giving up. In 7 years he will be old enough to join the local blacksmith club and use their shop.

How old is he? Do you have to be 18 to join the club?

If you find a smith to talk to, he might have your son in to get some hands on learning. I've read in knife magazines about kids as young as 8 forging and finishing knives (with strict adult supervision).

They do have blades you can buy and then just finish them from there. It's a lower barrier to "making a knife." The kit blades go from simple fixed blades to complex folders. Most of them let you mix and match handle materials, pins, bolster, etc.

I've heard good things about Knife Kits and USA Knife Maker.

Also, if the steel is not annealed it's going to be significantly harder to cold work.

[glatt]

Pretty sure you have to be 16 to join the local blacksmith club. He's 9 now. He's had a pocket knife for 2 months, so he's not even a seasoned pro at using a knife yet, let alone making one.

But those kits look like a good idea. Maybe a Christmas present for him.

[TheMercenary]

Wow, what a beautiful piece of art.
Well done.

[zippyt]

Pw Check this dude out
Part 1

Part 2 (bigger so you can see detail )

[classicman]

Wow - that was really neat.

[zippyt]

I was watching the first vid and thinking ,
Why is he twisting all that Metal ???
And whats up with all the little plates ???
then he started grinding and I was like Oh ,, thats Why !!!

[Lamplighter]

That is fascinating to follow thru the entire process.
It's at the 10' mark of the 2nd video that the whole process makes sense.

We've all read the poem, but these 2 videos bring it to life.

Under a spreading chestnut tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.

Thanks for posting

[Griff]

Spectacular!

[Perry Winkle]

Very cool. Thanks zippy!

I can't imagine how difficult it is to keep that much steel straight.

I need to get back in gear with the hot work. It's been too cold lately to do anything else in the shop.