I'm no knifemaker but with a couple coaching me I did manage to come up with a few things that hold a edge and work well.
I started out trying to build some blades for some leather splitters. They are used to split thick leather thinner for things like knife sheaths. I sent what I ground out off to be tempered.
I had ok results but not as good as the old blade were before the wore out.
I quizzed a ABS Master Smith and he advised I try 01 tool steel.
Then with a little coaching from Doug Campbell I set about heat treating them myself.
Here's a few of the tools I came up with.
A heelshave (used for wood or leather) with a mountain mahogany handle. A blade for a spokeshave (the handle is done and I've used it a bunch in the shop) This works very well to even up the edge of a sewing line on things like sheaths. Both these tools work well building self bows also. And a blade.
This second blade is a palm blade, works in your hand like a sewing awl. This is the second one I've done and they leave a couple fingers free to hold something without setting your blade down. Just like running two needles and a sewing awl at the same time.
Pretty rough by knifesmith standards but I had fun.
Topic: A couple blades & tools (Read 1398 times)
