I am finally getting to work on my first project,since the birth of my daughter. This is my 4th knife and was inspired by the military "death's head" trench knives. It is almost entirely a stock removal piece,but I made a very specific pattern so decided against hot forming the blade. It started life as a piece of leaf spring 3 1/2" wide by more than 1 foot long.At its thickest it was 3/8" thick.Unfortunately,I am still not versed in posting photos so I must leave a link.I will continue to add photos to this album until the knife is completed.Let me know what you think about this WIP.

http://s1087.photobucket.com/albums/j476/tantofolder/Knuckle%20knife/

Great knife! love the way the skull integrates into the grip.

A blade can be forged to a preset pattern. In fact it is a really good way to improve forging skills.

Cool piece. You don't have to beat on it, maybe just heat the part between the blade and handle and give it a bit of a bend or twist.

excellent. it looks mean.

Still haven't had a chance to work on this....hopefully this weekend.

Thanks kustonsteel!! I wish I could take credit for the design,but there are some old military knives with the basic principle.Your fingers go through the holes and it acts like brass knuckles....brutal.

Thanks Rich,yeah I know it can be done (by better smiths than myself)....but I didn't want to have to come right out and say it.LOL

Thank you switchjv.....that's what I was going for. :D

Thank you Danger Dillion....I will be heating it again for heat treating,and likely swaging into the surface. The twist is a great idea,unfortunately I didn't allow enough material for one.Thanks again though!!

Interesting!

Well I finally got this piece finished,but I don't have any good photos yet.I think I need a crash course in photographing polished metal.I did get a picture of the plate steel I used as a swage though.I got the knife up to temp and hammered this very pitted plate into the surface of both the handle and the unbeveled portion of the blade.I really like the effect it gave and hope to do more work like this, though I will likely cut the plate into some more manageable sized pieces.Final pics soon I hope.

http://s1087.photobucket.com/albums/j476/tantofolder/Knuckle%20knife/

Okay,I added some pictures of the finished knife(sorry for the quality).As I said before this was mostly a stock removal piece.After rough grinding I took it to nonmagnetic and then quenched in vegetable oil.Tempered in my house stove to 400 degrees one hour, three times .Hand sanded down to 600 grit,then buffing wheel and finally paste wax.I don't think the photos due the surface justice,but let me know what you think if you can see well enough.Thanks!


http://s1087.photobucket.com/albums/j476/tantofolder/Knuckle%20knife/

it came out great!

Thanks switchjv!!

look at my profile pic you know im a fair of these knife.s goodwork