A Hunter in the works (finished)

[Lin Rhea]

I found time to squeeze in a hunting knife. The blade, at least so far. This is a twisted W pattern left off of the billet of the large ladder pattern blade. It's 4 1/4 inch and is calling for stag. We'll see.

   

[Track]

I really like the pattern and look of the blade. Looking forward to the finished knife. I think stag would be outstanding.

[tippit]

Lin,
Beautiful as is All your work.  

Question...

What do you use to get your file groove cuts on the spine?  They are so crisp & perfectly spaced.

[tomsm44]

Man I wish I was going to Little Rock.  You guys are driving me crazy.

Matt

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks guys.

Jeff, I use a checkering file to cut the teeth. You just have to start square and try to get it even. I use the 20 teeth per inch file.

[gudspelr]

That looks great, Lin. Quick question-did you edge quench that or is it just my a screen messing with my eyes?  If it is edge quenched, have you found ways to minimize the distinction at the quench line on final etching?  I've been trying to figure out how this is done.

Jeremy

[Lin Rhea]

Jeremy, some might call it edge quench. But what I did was to carefully heat the edge to critical temperature with a torch and then just quench the whole blade.

I mean no disrespect when I say this, but this needs to be done very carefully. I don't recommend just anyone to do it. I have seriously considered the possibility that I can overheat the edge causing the grain to enlarge leading to an inferior blade. Point is that I don't just grab up a torch and do it. All sound rules of steel treatment should be followed. Heating by forge, oven, or torch has to be in a controlled manner to get the best results. This is not a disclaimer. It's fact. Experiment and test.

[jpsowers]

That is a beauty. I really like the drop to the point and the flames in the pattern.

[D.Ellis]

Yup, that's awesome all right. When(if?) I grow up, I want to be able to make blades that Purdy......and being made by Lin, you know for sure they have plenty of "go" as well as "show"    
Darcy  

[gudspelr]

Lin, I'm not sure you have a disrespectful bone in your body   . If someone says you do, I'm betting they're REALLY thin skinned. I know exactly what you mean about torch heating a blade. When I took my basic class with Ed Caffrey, we used a torch to heat the blades for the quench. One has to be VERY careful or things can get out of hand in a hurry. With Ed standing next to me, it went ok, but back home on my own, I choose not to use my torch by myself for that.  Thanks for the information on your process, sir.

Jeremy

[FerretWYO]

That is awesome Lin. Though everything you do is awesome.

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks.
I actually use one of the larger brazing tips to heat it with. I don't do all of my blades this way but it is an option.

My fear is that someone who is just learning to heat treat might think its a cinch to heat the edge with a torch and burn up their blade's edge.

There is more way to skin the cat but some leave you all scratched up if you are not very careful. It's like Karl says, "You can bend the rules but not the principle".

[gables]

Lin,
Thanks for the post and answers. The photo alone was beneficial as I got one more look at how you elegantly shape your plunge line/choil.

Since you are only hardening the edge or bottom 1/2, does this allow you to use the checkering file after heat treat? To date I have only put thumb grooves on stainless blades that I take closer to a final finish state before heat treating. I have to final sand my spine and the tops of my bolsters and/or handle material before heat treat to be able to preserve the grooves. I have been trying to figure out how to do this with carbon blades I heat treat in my forge and oil quench versus the foil wrapped and plate quenched stainless blades.

[Lin Rhea]

That's right Gabe.

[Lin Rhea]

Got er done.
   

[2treks]

Another fine one.
Thanks for showing us.
CTT

[Doug Campbell]

Yep, another winner Lin  

[D.Ellis]

Real pretty hunter. Great Damascus and stag.
Darcy  

[srtben]

That's a fine knife Lin!

[Track]

Another great looking knife.