"Swamp Chopper" for Grinch.... DONATING TO ST. JUDES!

[Lamey]

Finally finished this "Swamp Chopper" for TG member Grinch.  I want to thank him for being so patient!!

Forged from 5/16" thick 5160, the blade is 9" x 2".  I left the forge finish as is,  just cleaned the bevels up and sharpened.  Handle is the last of a really premium batch of Curly Maple.  

Time for a sheath,  a few quick pics of a bare bones, no nonsence cutter-

 

 

 

 

[Steve Nuckels]

I would want that on my side while venturing forth into the wilderness!

Very capable looking!

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

[kbaknife]

Another beauty, Matt!
Curly maple is right close to the top of my favorites.
Ya' done good on this one.

[Lamey]

thanks...  I wish I had more of that Maple, it was from a batch I got out of Canada... that was the last of it.  

I have a bunch more Curly Maple, from PA, its actually a bit tougher material but maybe not quite as tight a stripe pattern.  

Curly Maple is about my favourite,  not just for looks but its really "tough"... not so much hard like Ironwood, Cocobola etc...  but its very resistant to cracking/chipping etc... which I prefer.

Going to handle my carry Bowie today,  will likely use some of the PA Curly Maple I just cut into.

[Doug Campbell]

Yep, good stuff Matt, I'm liking those big choppers.    

[rbcorbitt]

Nice knife!      
Really like the look!

[ron w]

Nice.....great knife and what a fantastic piece of maple.

[Stonedog]

NICE!  I am working on a Hudson Bay Camp knife for myself.  It's a copy of an original seen here:  http://www.fholder.com/Blacksmithing/article2.htm

I added 2" to the blade length...I like a camp knife with a 10" blade...that's just me though!  Not fancy at all and a beast of a tool!

[JMG]

Beautiful knife!!    

[tomsm44]

Looks awesome.  Love the minimal finish work and the curly maple.  How thick was the edge before sharpening?  It looks fairly thick in the picture.  I'm just getting into trying to learn about edge geometry, so I was just curious if it was thicker than you'd normally make a knife and if so, what are the reasons for it.

Matt

[Lamey]

thanks all,  I didnt mic the edge, but it was around 30 thou or so before any sharpening or rolling in.  I first put a standard bevel type edege, then "convex" it back, pretty much like any standard convex edge is done.  I may roll it back a tad more after I cut some to test it out etc.

[snakewood3]

I like everything about it, NICE !!!

[akaboomer]

This is the reason your choppers are almost iconic.  Great knife. I love it. I am sure Grinch will treasure it. I would. If I were not a poor man I would own one of your choppers.  I will just have to settle on my own versions.

Chris

[Lamey]

Got an email from Grinch and he wants to donate the Swamp Chopper to St. Judes.  I will be posting it over there on that forum this afternoon.

[Arrowest]

Wow, you guys are top shelf.  Greeat knife for a great cause. Well done.
I'm adding this knife to those I will be bidding on.

[Lamey]

thanks Arrowest,  its really all Grinch's doing, I just made the knife, and after waiting for many months he asked me to make the donation.  Im hoping it brings much $ for a great cause!

[rbcorbitt]

Thanks so much Grinch!  What a generous donation!

Someone is going to get a heck of a blade.

Just saying - I'm watching this one really hard   !

It's all for the kids!!

[Doug Campbell]

       

[rbcorbitt]

Is it listed up yet??!!??    

[Lamey]

yeah i listed it yesturday.  

 http://auction1.tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=195;t=000143