caotropheus Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 This is my first knifeand got more knife than I wished for: total length 485 mm, blade length 298 mm, width 52 mm, handle 187 mm, thickness at the ricasso 6.7 mm. I wanted to make a general purpose knife with blade around 200 mm long, took a bit of new leaf spring stock and forged this. The handle is a bit too heavy and the balance point is located at the guard. I wanted a flat butt to hammer stuff if necessary but I had to remove some stock to make the handle lighterI also left the hidden tang too bulky and micarta is heavier than I thought! Among other mistakes I made, it seems that I will have to make a lighter handle in the next knife... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsoldat Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Without being able to pick it up looks like it turned out real nice. Does have a pleasing shape and flow to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 It looks fine, and I am now doing some quick metric conversions in my head..hahaha! I like the overall design.A lot of folks here would call that a camp knife, and use it for cutting, and chopping various items when out in the woods.You do know that you can cut the extra off if it is too long when forging, it's OK, we won't judge you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 While fighting knives are often considered to be best balanced at the guard or in the handle, (Think Fairbairn Sykes), camp knives and "choppers" often balance in the blade to provide a bit more authority when used for chores Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheoRockNazz Posted May 17, 2015 Share Posted May 17, 2015 Beats the snot outta my first knife! Well done. How'd you heat treat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 Real nice Cao! What is the handle material? Looks like a homemade Micarta of sorts? Now you know what to expect next time. Either start with a smaller piece of stock or cut it off during forging as suggested. I would not be the least bit ashamed of that knife. Good job indeed!Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caotropheus Posted May 24, 2015 Author Share Posted May 24, 2015 Thank you very much Gentleman for your nice comments.The handle is made of micarta yes, I cut 15 cm X 3 cm bits of tissue (old trousers, light blue and black) and used fibreglass epoxy to glue everything. I glued the guard in place with epoxy and riveted the butt only then I glued the tissue in place.The heat treatment was made the following way: after normalising 4 times and hopping the blade would not bend during hardening, I took the steel only once to non magnetic on a charcoal forge and inside used engine oil it went...Of course the blade bent a little! To avoid any accident, after hardening, I placed the knife at 200C in the kitchen stove for about 1.5 hours. After that, in order to straighten the blade I forced the blade straight with the vice and temper the blade back with a torch to blue colour. I had to repeat this procedure 3 times to get a perfectly straight blade (and hopefully tempered)...I am certain that I have a lot to improve in my heat treatment but the knife goes through 4 cm diameter branches without much effort and I cut dry wood without destroying the cutting edge, so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gergely Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 That's some serious looking beast! Does it weigh under one kg? You did great for a first knife that is sure. Maybe a pocket knife will suffice next time...All in all: congratulations and keep them coming!Gergely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caotropheus Posted May 28, 2015 Author Share Posted May 28, 2015 The knife weighs 825 grams. Less 200 grams at the handle wouldn't hurt! Next time I'll have to be "less generous" with the guard, the butt and the hidden tang... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norrin_radd Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Really good for a first knife, set the bar pretty high off the bat. I like the way you shaped the butt end of it too, would be a cool looking makers mark, kinda tribal-ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.