Bearded Guy

Finally mounted my giant fishing hooks to a chunk of poplar i got from a neighbor. I rubbed it down with a couple coats of boiled linseed oil. I'm happy with it, and it looks good in my doublewide. Hahahaaa

Angle grinder and wire wheel on the bench grinder for sure. I have much respect for the angle grinder after a couple issues with it. Once tried to cut off my foot, through my boot and cut almost down to bone, got a nice scar on the top of my left foot. Also several other times it tried to slit my wrist or cut off a hand. I've learned the hard way to take my time and pay attention to what im doing and be safe about it. I hate the wire wheel on a bench grinder, it always seems to grab whatever out of my hands and sometimes tries to throw it back at me. I only use it when absolutely needed. I usually clamp stuff in a vice and wire brush it with the drill or angle grinder. At lest i have a little more control over the angle grinder or drill if it grabs ahold of something. Always be aware of what you are doing and the dangers involved with each task. Complacency is the most dangerous thing. That is reason for most of my mishaps. They are few and far between now. I have learned to be more aware of the task at hand and if im not up to it or a slip happens, put it on hold and walk away. It can always wait. My safety and well being is alot more important than whatever i am working on.

I like the pattern in it. Could be a nice little finishing hammer or leather working hammer. I havent tried chainsaw chains yet, even though i got a pile of em. Did you do it in a canister, or just tack welded together then formed the billet?

Ok, had some time to work on the scales a little more today. I did temper at 400 for 2 hrs, (got tied up on the phone and almost forgot about it). I did have to re-etch. It didn't show up as much contrast as it was before, but I'm happy with it. I ended up using deer antler. Pinned with 1/8th in brass rod & peened. 2 part clear epoxy and clamped together for 48hrs. Let it set for a couple more days until this morning and shaped the handle. This is my first knife with any sort of handle besides a paracord wrap. I'm ok with it. I haven't finished the scales yet, planning on doing a coat of CA or polyurethane, probably the CA. Also planning a fake bolster attached, but gotta raid the ammo stash to see what brass i can fit around it. I'm also debating on sanding off the base of the antlers on the sides, but it fits good in my big paw. It looks a lil odd at first, but I think it leaves the look and feel of antler. I dunno, I'm debating it. Any and all pointers, opinions, criticism is always welcome.

I made a few more yesterday, left is for a rig hand that gave me a handful of the slip dies, the other 2 were an after thought. I made a spatula (kinda small), and a roasting fork out of nails... thought, hmmmmm.... gotta have a matching set and need somethin to open a beverage with...or market the nail to people who like to get hammered. Hahahaaa. now i gotta figure out how to make bbq tongs out of a nail.

Hey das, glad to see a shiny new machine in the shop. Glad yer feelin better. Good score with the metal detector LBS. I followed some advise from here and stopped by a suspension shop the other day.... a couple bucks and a couple rune keychains scored me a few chuncks of leaf spring, about a dozen or so. I emailed the manufacturers tech dept to see exactly what alloy they are made from. Even if i dont find out, it is better than old leaf spring material. After using it for a few small items and having cracks show up when yer halfway through the project is no fun. I finally realized that i need to find some new steel.

Forge the rebar inta a couple s hooks or a couple wall hooks to hang tools on. Take some time and read this site. You will find a wealth of information by a bunch of experienced people. Knife making is what gets most people into this addiction, myself included, but i enjoy making other random stuff more than knives.

Alot better than my first 3 attempts at making tongs. I have abandoned all but 1 pair still in the works. As long as they work for ya is what matters. Did you punch/drift the hole or drill it out? Either way, good job on a functioning tool.

Try to contact the technical support team instead of sales. They should be able to help out with identifying the specific alloy used, especially if you can give them a part #. It has worked for me on several occasions. The sales department only cares about selling. Talk to the tech department and they have all the good info we need.

Thanks for all the comments fellas, i didnt even think of marketing it left handed. I figured i would give it to a family member or friend to confuse them.

I have 2 double row 4 footers and 1 double row 2ft over the workbench inside of a 16x16 shed/workshop. Its bright.... well worth the $$$ plus you'll save it in the long run. I also just put a single row 4 footer in the forge, 12x12 with 2 walls. I can actually see every nook and cranny in the smithy. I personally cant say enough good about the led lights.

Thanks fellas, ive been debating on throwing it in the oven for a temper cycle just to be on the safe side. I guess im worried about screwing up the etch. Not like it is that hard to redo.

Thanks das. Wine is definitely not for me. I might send it to my sister. See if she can figure out how to use it. Hahaaaa Thanks c-1

Was waiting for a knife to normalize and figured i would try a corkscrew. I twisted it backwards, so, seeing how i had a xxxxxx moment..... its my left handed corkscrew.... started life as an old leafspring from the beater ford.

Well i figured i would try a 3rd attempt at getting some of this cable to cooperate with me for more than a 3" billet. The blade turned out thinner than i want. But, for a skinner, it should be fine. Quenched in canola oil and i think i forgot to temper it. I was too excited to get it in the etch. Still need scales, tryin to decide between antler or finding a nice chunk of wood. Etched in warm vinegar for about an hour. Any criticism or pointers will be greatly appreciated. Ive made several kso's and very few decent knives. Finally have made one that I'm kinda proud of.

I'm very impressed with how that turned out das, wish i would have seen this thread sooner.... i guess i need to come for another visit so i can fondle it in person.. hahaaaa....

That is purdy, i agree with frosty, i like the look of the low count layers. Easier for my simple little mind to comprehend, hahaa. Looks great.

Good to hear das, and again it was my pleasure, if ya wanna finish the blade on a belt grinder ya know where one is...

Frosty, that grinder is alot purdier than mine.... im diggin it. I didnt bother to even paint mine or clean the rust off the scrap i built it from....

Learned alot this weekend, made my first s hooks and a couple wall hooks.... not the purdiest, but it was a good learning experience

I was on a bolt kick this weekend, made a few random items..... the bracelet and hammer keychain were stainless bolts i had left over from a sbc dress up kit.... the keychains and wall hook were actually threaded rod, but i left the nut on the wall hook to add to the eye appeal (to me at least)... lots of learnin this weekend....

After hangin out with daswulf yesterday and learning a few new tricks and tips, and making a punch/drift for bottle openers..... i made my first successful bottle opener today..... it wanted to be a little devilish, so i had to dress him accordingly with horns and a tail...... the first pic are the ones me and das made last night. Second pic is mine from today.

I haven't been around much lately, but figured i would share a little... i hammered out a couple knives, (well 1 knife & 2 knife shaped objects) finally finished my belt grinder, ground the knives, and was working on a kydex sheath when a buddy of mine stopped by with his coworker. A little chatting and i ended up making a kydex holster for one of his pistols. I have been wanting to try a holster, so i gave it a shot. He is very happy with it.... here are the knives i finished and holster i made yesterday.... the tanto blade is 01 (now my edc) and the other 2 are tong dies off a drilling rig. They seemed to harden well, but still mystery steel.

Thanks Slag, i got a cousin out in lake of the ozarks that i need to go visit, i rekon i need to make a detour along the way to meet up and have a drink with ya. Thanks Daswulf, I've seen alot of yer work on here and I am very impressed. I'll shoot ya a message after the holidays when i get some free time. I appreciate the invite and look forward to meetin up with someone local with a wealth of knowledge. I gots lotsa learnin and brain pickin to do.

Im in southeast PA. i'm about 20 min away from Daswolf. I plan on contacting him after the holidays when i finally have a little free time. I did some work down in fetus ..... I mean FESTUS MO over the summer. if i would have had free time and thought about it, i would have gladly shared with ya.