Ok guys had a free night yesterday and had some fun! I've like these knives for a while now but never tried to make one so I'm really glad it was choosen also I haven't made a small knife in a while... Started out with a 5/8ths bar of W1 drill rod (favorite steel but sucks having to pound it flat befor using it) and started swinging away! I tried to get some pictures while forging but the lighting in the garage and camera weren't getting along so I got one after it was rough forged This ones after the first pass with the grinder, my biggest worry was having a badly placed hammer mark screwing up those nice grind lines scandi's have but I got away luck today! Here's how it sits now, it's on top of the rod it started from hehe! Left the edge pretty thick but I'm plannin on claying up the blade and trying for a hamon... don't think I'm gonna start the handle till after heattreat
Looks pretty good man. By the looks of things I'm pretty behind already! What are you planning on using for handle material?
Thanks guys, I have some idea's for a handle, and a bunch of materials sitting around just not sure how they'll work together... I have some smaller elk antler that might work but not sure what wood will go with it one things been bugging me is I have to bring the grind line up more near the tip, just dont no if I wanna do it now or after Ht
I think dark woods go nice with antler. As far as correcting the grind goes I would personally do it before heat treat but really it's up to you.
got the blade all clayed up and let it sit a couple of days Got to quench it today and it survived!!! tempered it once and while do another one tomorrow. Also ground the edge on to the blade and man this things sharp hehe got a nice little hamon on here too just gotta polish it up hopefully i can get a picture of the hamon tomorrow but I suck at taking pictures of those things
Hey guys thanks! Got the blade polished and etched to a point I like, but I'm gonna have to fix up the shoulders once I got a bolster drill out and will most likely have to touch up the blade once again... also not sure if a strong etch might be better on this one if it's gonna be a EDC, a mirror polish will get ruined pretty fast Metal99 the blades 5mm think at the base and tapers right to the point Ok I suck at taken pictures of hamons but I tried... it's kinda blurry but it gives you an idea (also should have cleaned the wood dust off the blade first!) I'm really enjoying watching everyone else's knives come along too!
Looks like a pretty nice blade so far. Hey, in that last picture, it looks like a bar of damascus in the background. Did you make that? Jim T
Thanks you guys, I'm looking forward to how this ones gonna turn out even though I'm not sure how thats gonna be yet hehe! Metal99 there's no secret, just keep sanding till all the scratchs are out... this one I used many on stones to keep the lines clean. If you really want try polishing a 30" sword, then a 3 inch blade you'll laugh at Jim T Its a patternwelded sword blade of 15n20 and 1084, and I made it myself
Hey guys, got the knife finished for the most part, onto the sheath next... for the handle I ended up going with some brass, atleast thats what i think it is, too light for copper anyways... and leather with elk antler. The blade I went with a darker etch on it, so it's not mirror anymore, more of a mat finnish but the hamon still shows up and looks more like a working knife now. The tangs been peened Let me know what you guys think Blades 3 3/8th Handles 3 1/2 Overall 6 7/8
Metal99 Sorry for taking so long, yeah I use ferric chloride. Only about 10-20 sec in, and then out and rub down with 2000 grit intill the oxcides are off. Do that a couple times. The last time I used mothers polish
Excellent job!!! Really loving the way that turned out. Good idea mixing the leather with the antler really adds a beautiful look to the knife!!!
