Trad Gang
Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: RGK on March 26, 2008, 09:55:00 PM
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I was asked by a friend in Texas, to repair a knife that belonged to his father and grandfather. It is not an expensive knife. It's worth is more in sentiment. He said the leather washers on the handle were dry rotted so he wanted me to make a new grip and since the knife was missing it's sheath, he asked that I make a new one.
this is what I got in the mail. To make the knife usable, he had dipped the handle in Plasti-kote. There was a lot of rust as well.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red1.jpg)
The tip had been snapped off a few years ago so he asked that I re-shape it.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red2.jpg)
I was able to get the red plastic off but that only revealed the remnants of the duct tape that must have been used before the plastic coating.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red3.jpg)
Once I got the leather off the handle, I found the tang was badly rusted. It can still be saved.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red4.jpg)
The aluminum pommel has some deep dings and scratches but I can remove them as well. The thing I found odd was that the brass finger guard has a visible notch but that is how it came from the manufacturer.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red6.jpg)
I re-shaped the blade and got rid of as much pitting as I could without wrecking the blade.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red5.jpg)
My friend asked that I use oasge for the handle. He sent along a few pieces of 50 year old Osage fence post to replace the leather of the grip.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red7.jpg)
Once I cut out the scales for the handle and saw the yellow, I just had to add some red. Since it is a hunting knife with a deep history, I cut two, thin bloodwood spacers that will lay closest to the metal of the handle.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red8.jpg)
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I masked off the metal parts (easier to get the extra epoxy off) and assembled the parts. After 24 hours passes, I will be able to shape the handle and finish the polishing of the metal parts.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red92.jpg)
After a bit of shaping, the knife is starting to look like a knife again.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red93.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red97.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red95.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red96.jpg)
I got rid of all the scratches as well.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red94.jpg)
Time to start the sheath. I will use 8 Oz. Tooling leather because I want to stamp a little fancy schmancy stuff onto the leather
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red992.jpg)
Then stitched it and trimmed it.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red993.jpg)
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Then I made a snap strap to hold it in place.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red994.jpg)
Lastly, I got the whole thing wet and fit the sheath to the knife. I will let it dry over night before I stain it.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red995.jpg)
Well, A little red brown stain and Neatsfoot oil and a rub down with mink oil and the sheath and the project are complete.
I used some diamonds and ceramic and now the blade is like a razor. There is some great steel in that blade.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red999.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red998.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red997.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red996.jpg)
I looks a little diff then when I got it. I hope he likes it.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/red1.jpg)
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Thats looks absolutely awesome!! Your friend will be pleased!
You have been quiet lately, what you been up to? Other than this posting.
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Incredible Job RGK!
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I have been ill. For some reason, I have been experiencing black outs. I pass out for a few minutes and then the next few days I am not at the top of my game. I have been busy doctoring.
The other thing that has been keeping me busy is the fact that I was elected to the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Bowhunters Assoc. My job is the internet portion of the WBH. I have been busy building a bowhunting/archery forum for the WBH membership. Everybody can view the site but Only WBH members can join and post. Here is the link to the site I made.
http://wibowhunters.proboards54.com
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You done good! Awesome finished package. The owner has got to be pleased.
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Man, I hope you get to feeling better soon.
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That knife looks awesome now! the sheath accents it perfectly. Incredable!
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Very well done!!
Eric
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If he dosen't like it just send it to me ,I love it! Your friend is going to flip his wigg when he sees it. I hope you get to feeling beter soon. :thumbsup:
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How did you get the bloodwood so thin and flat? I'm having a tough time getting my scales flat on the tang side here lately.
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Great job RON!!!! Glad to see you are getting a chance to do some work brother! Give me a shout sometime!
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Dang, I may have to send a knife your way. I have one similar to that in condition that I'd like to get re-done. Let me know if you might be interested.
Greg
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Nice job! Hope you feel better.
Dan
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Excellent work, it turned out great!!!!
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awesome , you do fantastic work :thumbsup: :clapper:
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You sir a magician! That doesn't even look like the same knife. Nice, nice job! Wish I lived close to you so I could have you teach me how you do that !! Excellent job.