Patch Knife

[Lin Rhea]

I was piddling in the shop and forged a small patch knife. The stock is 1/2 inch round 52100 I got from a good friend. I'm not completely finished with it but you can tell where its going. The handle is just slid on.
 
 
 
 

[Track]

I like the shape of the blade and how it blends into the overall curve of the knife.

[Lin Rhea]

Yes, thanks for noticing that.    I was trying for that since I was going to leave parts of it forge finish. I had to get it right while it was hot. I have a little work to do on the joint, maybe some blade finishing, and etch my mark in it and stick it together.

[Bladepeek]

Makes me want to start saving for my flintlock. Never had any interest in in-lines, but a nice, full-stock flintlock and a knife like that and I'd feel pretty darned traditional  

[Lin Rhea]

Ron, I'm itchin to build a flintlock from scratch. Lock, stock, and barrel. I like anything that shoots or cuts but traditional is best in my humble opinion. But tad stick and string will always be my first choice.

[Bladepeek]

Lin, I imagine you will do it and when you do, it will be a beauty I'm sure.

The flintlock and a cedar strip canoe have been on my "to do list" for 20 - 30 years. It'll probably never happen. We do have a builder whom I admire here in Michigan, though, so if I get the coins together before he quits building, at least that will be in my hands. I was planning on a .50 cal, but a smoothbore 20ga with ball would work fine at the ranges I shoot at and with a shot charge, would be a real hoot for small game.

Is that a temper line in that 52100? I thought 52100 was probably too deep hardening for it to show up like that.

[Lin Rhea]

Yea, but but the way I heated and quenched it allowed that effect. I thermocycled the blade entirely. Then heated the edge with a oxy/acetylene brazing tip, being very careful to sneak up on the color, then I quenched it.

Then drew it back.

[Bladepeek]

Nice!

[DANA HOLMAN]

Lin, Question I have is how do you file the back shoulders and get them square. I just finished a integral blade and though its not round its oval and a full tang with Elk horn. I was able to put my file guard in the handle and file it square. Just a question. By the way I like where this blade is going.
Dana

[Izzy]

That is perfection in simplicity!!! Too awesome.  

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks.
Dana, This is a little tricky but it can be done. Some file guides have a "V" cut in one side of the jaws allowing the round or irregular shape of an integral to be held steady. Mine is not perfect, but it will be very hard to see. This was sort of an exercise, but I like it.

[Bodork]

Sweet!

[Kevin Evans]

Nice  

[4est trekker]

Love it! That'll serve a frontiersman proud and proper!

[Steve Nuckels]

Lin, I really like this knife!  I have some old hay rake tines that would be perfect for this style!  

You are a true craftsmen!

Steve
----------
Potomac Forge
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation

[tomsm44]

A knife like that almost makes me want to trade in my bow for a piece of this newfangled flintlock technology just so I'd have a reason to carry a patch knife.  I think I might want to give em a few more years to work all the bugs out though.  You know how new technology can be sometimes.     :D

Matt Toms

[Doug Campbell]

Hmmm... a reason to carry a patch knife... recon I could think up something.

Cool stuff Lin.

[jackdaw]

I know a little something about flintlocks...what you looking to build??? good source of high end parts........I did a few things for Ron LaClair in my day...flintlock wise...his "other" passion..lol....john getz

[Lin Rhea]

My preference leans towards the Bedford county rifles, but I cant find a flint version as an example as far as the lock is concerned. I like the lines.

A patch knife was sometimes totally flat on one side although I cant see much difference in that sort of grind and a double grind in function, but then again I have not used one much for trimming patches.