One for me!

I finished this one just for me since I am going moose hunting tomorrow. The plan was to make it match my rifle but time was running out quickly so I didn't quite stick to the plan but still kept my rifle in mind along the way. The blade is O-1 with black canvas micarta and SS hardware. I also added a rifle casing on each side and then filled it with clear acrylic to give it a smooth finish so crap doesn't get into any gaps and spaces. The pics are rushed and horrible but I wanted to get some before I go since I am not sure how badly I may end up testing/abusing it. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

 

Looks really good. I'm looking forward to your report on how it performed in the field.

 

Thanks guys. Hopefully I get to post some pics in the camping fishing hunting section when i get back. I plan on using it for every from opening packages to hopefully field dressing big game. On my lunch right now but in about 8 hours my 19hour drive begins.

 

Thanks Dan. Pins are visible if you look really hard. I still did it with a hammer but keeping my eyes open for a press.

 

Thanks guys. The inlay was a first for me. It is simple because it was just a round hole. I have other ideas that are a bit more complicated because they are not round holes.

Dan. I went with a press fit. I drilled the pin holes as normal then profiled and shaped the scales assembled to the knife but not glued. Once i had the shape ready to start finishing I layed out the position of the rifle casing and drilled thru both at the same time with the pins in so that they are perfectly symmetrical. Once drilled and casings fitted I pressed them in from the back making sure the rotation of the casings was the way I wanted them and the back of the casing was flush with the back of the scales. Then i built up a dam with plasticine to make sure the acrylic is well above the final shape of the finished scales. I filled with acrylic and hoped for the best. Since I have never used it before I didn't know how hard it cures or if i can buff to a clear surface. I figured if it didn't work out i just wouldn't tell anyone that there are rifle casings in there. Lol. It actually sanded and buffed out nicely. With the inlaying done I ground the back of the scales flat on the platten and assembled the knife like normal. The only other thing I did is gouge the micarta around the back side of the casings to allow a bit of epoxy to contact the casings a bit more but it was probably not even necessary since the combination of the press fit and acrylic held them in nice and solid.

As for the field testing I unfortunately didn't get to field dress any big game. It was surprisingly warm so i couldn't even catch a cold. Lol. The area we were hunting had hunters, atv's and trucks everywhere. I did use my knife for just about everything else from cutting food, ropes, packages, whittling wood and cleaning a few fish. The only reason I had to sharpen it is because i used the knife as a key so I chipped the edge. You would think I learned my lesson the first time ...nope. I did the same thing to a Beretta folder I have. Overall I am very pleased the knife and still glad I went on the trip.

 

Thanks Dan. That casting resin is neat stuff. I will be using it again. Who knows what else i will end up putting into a handle.

 

Thanks Brad. A fly on a bird and trout knife would probably go. It really felt like a cannon until I put a good recoil pad on it. Hard rubber on a light rifle sure was kicking the crap out of me.