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Author Topic: Starting a new knife  (Read 4109 times)

Offline RGK

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Starting a new knife
« on: January 28, 2007, 10:24:00 PM »
I decided to start the knife that I've been wanting to build for a while. I can get blade seconds from the Chicago Cutlery store for next to nothing. The blades are a bit thinner than they should be so I guess that's why they are seconds.

 

This will be lucky blank.

 

I want a smallish blade, around 4 inches long.

 

After a little cutting, shaping and polishing, it taking shape nicely.

 

I want brass bolsters and I had a piece of an old brass bed laying around. I cut a chunk off and hammered it flat.

 

 

The handle will be made from birch bark that I came across a few years ago and saved for just such a purpose.

 

I will stack layers of the bark on top of one another and finish it with another brass bolster and a pin.

 
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Offline Hunter John

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2007, 10:30:00 PM »
That birch will look great im sure,I dont think I have seen it done before.Thanks for sharing

John
I am a man
and I can change
if I have to
I guess.

Offline 702plmo

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2007, 12:22:00 AM »
keep going I am interested in seeing how it turns out.
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Offline Bobby Urban

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2007, 06:59:00 AM »
Huh - do you heat treat the blade or do you keep it cool while cutting and polishing?  Cool idea with the bark - I am intrigued?

Bob Urban

Offline Shakes.602

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2007, 07:15:00 AM »
Thats a Good Looker already, and I am anxious to see the Birch Bark Layers myself!!
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Offline philil

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2007, 01:01:00 PM »
Yeah me too!
Just the other day I wondered about the use of bark for knife/sheath making.
Great idea!
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Offline JEFF B

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2007, 01:44:00 PM »
hey awesome knife bro cant wait to see end product  :thumbsup:
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other times i let her sleep"

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Offline jeff mccray

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2007, 08:15:00 PM »
Nice work, i would round the tang ricasso junction if you are going to re-harden it.  It should've been rounded at the factory, stress risers are caused by a square juncture there.

Jeff
God Give Me The Strength to Better Do Thy Will!

Offline RGK

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2007, 09:28:00 PM »
Thanks for the interest and ideas.

I spent more time thinking and planning than actually working on the knife. I polished the front brass plate and decided to add a little color. I found a broken red window ice scrapper and a piece of white plastic to put on at the beginning and end of the birch bark. I got all the birch bark squares cut out but I still need to cut the tang hole in the rest.

 

 
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Member: Sherwood Forest Bowmen

Offline TimBow2

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2007, 06:21:00 AM »
looking good

Offline gwhunter

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2007, 06:56:00 AM »
Very Creative!
Jesus died for us!  Following him brings us closer to God.  Think about it!

Offline ber643

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2007, 07:54:00 AM »
Gonna be a good'un, I'll wager.
Bernie: "Hunters Are People Too"

Ret'd USMC '53-'72

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Offline Pete Darby

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2007, 08:18:00 AM »
It is going to be a nice one.  I have a book on building Finnish knives and sheaths that goes into a lot of detail on the birch bark knife and they are great looking.  One day I will take the time amongh my other projects and make a couple.  I just finished an antler handled knife that has a few leather spacers carved to flow smoothly into the brass guard that turned out very well.  I have a couple of other blade blanks I need to haft but first I have to complete three leather projects.  

Too many hobbies/ not enough time
Pete Darby

Offline TexMex

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #13 on: January 30, 2007, 08:41:00 AM »
Looking real good!

Offline tpoof

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2007, 10:56:00 AM »
curious to see how the birchbark is going to look finished. Have a feelin its going to be spectacular

Offline robtattoo

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #15 on: January 30, 2007, 11:28:00 AM »
Looking good! Watch out for the dust from the birchbark, it can really affect some people (runny nose, stingy eyes, coughin' yer lungs up, that sorta thing!)
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Offline Lewis Brookshire III

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #16 on: January 30, 2007, 11:40:00 AM »
I love the way stacked birch strips look. That knife is gonna have some character for sure. You wont see too many like it. It will be beautiful.

Here is a pic of a fly rod grip that I guy I know built out of stacked birch.

 
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Offline nick_the_tinkerer

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #17 on: January 30, 2007, 12:18:00 PM »
wow Looking awesome.
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Offline Mike Byrge

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #18 on: January 30, 2007, 12:44:00 PM »
RGK,
What do you use to cut out the blade shape?  

Thanks,
Mike

Offline uhdet

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Re: Starting a new knife
« Reply #19 on: January 30, 2007, 03:05:00 PM »
RGK, Make sure you cover that blade good while shaping that handle. I usually use a strip of leather down the blade wrapped in black electrical tape. Looking very good. Love the stacked birch.

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