First knife

[Duke of Nada]

Here is my fist knife. I know its far from perfect and the blade could use some more cleaning up. I made it out of a peace of lawn mower blade that came off of an very old Cub Cadet riding mower. Now if I can figure out how to mix bees wax and linseed oil for the sheath.

[golgotha forge & anvil]

I think u did a grand job on ur first knife!

Gene

[CurlyGeorge]

Duke, I like it. Looks like it is a stout knife. Good job. :D

[Duke of Nada]

Thanks, now if I could just put a good edge on it. The art of sharping has always eluded me.

[edge9001]

Thanks, now if I could just put a good edge on it. The art of sharping has always eluded me.

The best way Ive found to sharpen a blade is a sharpening kit. the one I used comes with a vise like thing to hold the blades and to guide the stone. the stones all have rods in them to help guide them. the kits I have comes with 5 stones, a triangular one for serrated blades, i have yet to figure out. a extra course stone, a course stone, a medium stone and then a fine stone. combine these with a leather strop and I've gotten a razor edge. without this kit I find it hard to sharpen a blade as well. I can still get a usable edge but not a shaving edge.

[Duke of Nada]

I've not seen one with a vise. Do you have the name of yours.

[Duke of Nada]

You can't tell much by these pics but there is a big difference from the first post to now. I reshaped the angle of the blade form the back of the knife to the cutting edge. I tried to use a file so not to over heat the blade. but it didn't hardly scratch it. Had to use the table top sander and then re-temper the blade with a map gas torch being careful not to burn the handle.

I've sanded the metal and polished it. The knife is still not perfect. I should have removed the handles, but didn't so the blade is still rough looking up next to the handle. I found out that buffing wheels don't take the rpm of a table grinder. So I put a peace of leather on a palm sander and applied the polishing compound on it. I managed to get it sharp enough to shave my arm with a wet rock.