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Author Topic: Anatomy of a Hunting Knife  (Read 365 times)

Offline kbaknife

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Anatomy of a Hunting Knife
« on: August 15, 2010, 07:32:00 PM »
I needed to photograph this for Kevin Evans (Rooster) who was here at my shop to watch me build one of these, so I thought I might share it with you guys as well.
This is one of my "Field Grade" knives, but don't let the title fool you - it's built every bit as solid as any knife from Andersen Forge.
When this is done - tomorrow some time - I will do a final photo and a little history of the materials used.
The blade was forged from 1 " square 5160 made in 1984.
The Osage was stabilized and cut from logs I acquired that were harvested in the mid-60s. I've had them for 15-16 years.
Stainless guard. (The light is playing some weird voodoo on the geometry there? Either that or my editing)
I wanted to show the full through-tang, and the handle pinned to the guard for lateral strength, as well as creative freedom during the construction, and the threaded finial.
What some folks never get to see is that 5/16" collar that the finial goes through.
That is seated in the bottom of the stepped hole so that throughout the construction of the knife, the "ledge" of the finial never grinds on wood, but is always metal-to-metal when assembled.
I go through such grain refinement and spherodizing steps on my steel, that when I seat the finial - again and again - I seat it with vise grips nearly as tight as I can do it by hand.
When I have to do a little bend in the tang, I literally have to put on my welding gloves, lock the tang in the vise and grab the blade and leeeeeeeaaaaaaaan backwards to get it to bend.
That 5160 is flat friggin' bad butt tough when treated correctly.
When the assembly is done, you can drive over one of these knives with your truck.
Just thought you guys might enjoy another picture here on this Sunday afternoon!
 
When the last deer disappears into the morning mist,
When the last elk vanishes from the hills,
When the last buffalo falls on the plains,
I will hunt mice for I am a hunter and I must have my freedom.
Chief Joseph

Offline Lin Rhea

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Re: Anatomy of a Hunting Knife
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2010, 08:24:00 PM »
I like seeing stuff like this Karl. It sure inspires confidence in your work. Lin
"We dont rent pigs." Augustus McCrae
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TGMM Family of the Bow
Dwyer Dauntless longbow 50 @ 28
Ben Pearson recurve 50 @ 28
Tall Tines Recurve 47@28
McCullough Griffin longbow 43@28

Offline Steve Nuckels

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Re: Anatomy of a Hunting Knife
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2010, 09:08:00 PM »
I am lucky enough to have one of Karl's knives and until you have the opportunity to handle one you just can't beleive the quality and fit & finish!  And talk about sharp!

I will never test his claim concerning driving my F-250 over my knife, I beleive him!

I wish I lived close to his shop!

A very satisfied customer.

Steve
---------
Potomac Forge

Offline Scott Roush

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Re: Anatomy of a Hunting Knife
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2010, 09:39:00 PM »
this is great....

Offline kbaknife

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Re: Anatomy of a Hunting Knife
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2010, 10:01:00 PM »
Scott, did I quench that one while you were here?
I think that's the one you saw me grind.

I call this a "Field Grade" as I spent not even one minute working on that guard by hand.
It was completely shaped and finished by machine.
Kevin Evans watched me do it.

Here's the front view:

   
When the last deer disappears into the morning mist,
When the last elk vanishes from the hills,
When the last buffalo falls on the plains,
I will hunt mice for I am a hunter and I must have my freedom.
Chief Joseph

Offline Bodork

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Re: Anatomy of a Hunting Knife
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2010, 10:46:00 PM »
That is soooo sweet!!!

Offline Kevin Evans

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Re: Anatomy of a Hunting Knife
« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2010, 11:28:00 PM »
Really dont know what to say,its amazing to see you work.I will try very hard to put what you have taught me to good use.
I like Steve own some of Karl's knives and they are as good as he says.
Thank you very much Karl

Offline Danny Rowan

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Re: Anatomy of a Hunting Knife
« Reply #7 on: August 16, 2010, 03:40:00 PM »
I have 4 of Karl"s knives and they are fantastic. Really first rate craftmanship in every detail. Karl is a master of his trade as far as I am concerned.
"When shooting instinctivly,it matters not which eye is dominant"

Jay Kidwell and Glenn St. Charles

TGMM Family Of The Bow
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NAHC life member
Retired CPO US Navy 1972-1993
Retired USCBP Supervisory Officer 1999-2017

Offline Scott Roush

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Re: Anatomy of a Hunting Knife
« Reply #8 on: August 17, 2010, 11:05:00 AM »
Nice Karl... Yeah... You quenched one. And then you really fixed my grinding and finishing by working on that one.  Things are moving much smoother at Big Rock Forge these days...

Need to get on take downs next!

Offline David Ricke

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Re: Anatomy of a Hunting Knife
« Reply #9 on: August 29, 2010, 01:15:00 PM »
Heck of a nice knife Karl.  Knifemaker

Offline WRV

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Re: Anatomy of a Hunting Knife
« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2010, 02:09:00 PM »
Very nice knife.....Randy
Morrison Cheyenne TD 60" 50@28
Black Widow PSAX 60" 53@28
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Genesis 27:3

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