New patch knife/skinner

[Messerist]

Finally finished another one. We have a new baby and I have not been working much on blades. Forged this one out of a file. Used brass for the guard and a piece of curly maple stained with aquafortis for the handle.

[strantor]

I like the handle, is there a spacer between the wood and the brass? if so, what is it?

[kasaino]

Congratulations! (for your new baby) Nice knife! I bet you were happy to get another finished, Im shocked though, most new babies i remember have the wonderful habit of screaming at 3:00 am... not much time for sleeping.

[tech413]

Thats a great looking blade, I really like the shape of the handle. And congrats on the new addition to the family!

[Messerist]

Strantor: yes there is a spacer. It is just a leather washer. When I am assembling the handle I use a slightly thinner piece of leather between the handle material and guard when I drill the hole for the pin. When I am ready for final assembly I use a thicker piece of leather. It causes the holes to be slightly misaligned, so I taper the pin, apply a good 2 ton 30 minute epoxy and tap the pin in place. It snugs everthing up real tight. I use the epoxy as insurance and to fill in any voids inside the handle. I make the entire knife by hand with the exception of a hand drill to drill the pin hole and help hollow out the handle. Sometimes I just can't seem to get the handle to lie flush with the guard. The spacer helps fill in any gaps as well. Here is another knife with leather spacers.

[civilwarblacksmith]

Great looking knives. I never thought of using leather to fill in the gaps that might be seen.

Reb

[Finnr]

Good idea using the leather spacer. Works fairly well with stacked birchbark as well.
Finnr

[Donnie]

Nice knives. Beautiful handles. The first one is real classy.

[markb]

Great style, beautiful knives.

Your blade shape and handle style combine to make an artistic statement.

Thanks for sharing.

[tophand]

Uotstanding work sir. What is this aquafortis?

Matt

[longhunter]

Aquafortis use to be avaiable not sure if it is any more they may have started producing it again . It is nitric acid to make it usable for wood staining you add bits of metal to it as it desolves the metal it will fume , and if I recall correctly it will get to the point were it wont desolve the steel it is ready to use . My friend used old barb wire fence that was rusty . You need to do this out side some where were the fumes wont attack paint or be breathed in if of course you want to make your own ,first you need to buy the nitric acid wich can be tricky in its self . Track of the Wolf may sell the aquafortis ready to use the muzzle loader builders use it on the curly maple gun stocks because it makes the curly grain or tiger stripes in the wood pop out and look nice

[Finnr]

I have used steel wool disolved in vinegar for bringing up the stripe in maple. It just isn't as effective as aquafortis, but it does work to a fairly good degree.

[Messerist]

I bought some aquafortis from Old Thunder manufacturing about ten years ago(yes, it still works and goes a long way on knife handles). I also have made my own by dissolving steel wool in nitric acid. I used a glass jar, filled it half full with nitric acid and dissolved as much 0000 steel wool as it would take. Do this outside!!!!!!!!!! The fumes can be nasty. Hershel House uses this formula for making aqua fortis which he uses on his muzzleladers. I also have found an online source for the stainhttp://www.buffalobillsshootingstore.com/accessories/html

Edited February 18, 2009 by Messerist

[oakwoodforge]

Ohh Those are both very nice , I like your style , they look like they are meant to be carried & used. Good work !


Jens