deerrockknives
Only thing I’m sure about, I know nothing for sure
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2020
- Messages
- 429
Although I am no social media wizard, I am more active on Instagram. It’s just deerrockknives over there
Slowly crawling back into shop
Skinner Dan v2
.100” 14c28n @ 62 hrc
Blade Length: 4”
Handle Length: 4.25”
Handle Material: Golden trout
Thickness behind edge: .008”
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Absolutely outstanding!Slowly crawling back into shop
Skinner Dan v2
.100” 14c28n @ 62 hrc
Blade Length: 4”
Handle Length: 4.25”
Handle Material: Golden trout
Thickness behind edge: .008”
View attachment 2291682
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Follow up question: which steels do you prefer for a knife of this type, that will be used to process medium and small game (bones and all)?
Looks like it was a great hunt, well done!I’m a big fan of aeb-l and 14c28n. As most know magnacut will have better edge retention. It’s kind of hard for me to pick one.
The most important factor for me is edge stability. Both of these steels have exceptional edge stability and can take really low edge angles. I should mention, certain higher carbide steels do seem to take aggressive edges better and can be advantageous on animal parts (hide, meat, etc).
My girlfriend shot a bull elk last archery season here and I used one of my aeb-l blades at 62.5 hrc to dress it out. It was almost zero ground with a 15* per side edge. It was still shaving hair at the end of the elk. For me, I really don’t need more edge retention than that for a game processing knife.
Maybe if you were on a multi animal (in a group) hunt or extended bird hunting trip/small game trip you might want the increased edge retention. Usually though I’m backpacking for hunts so it’s one animal at a time.
Figure I may as well add a photo. Not the most savory pic, but it was her first elk, with a recurve.
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I typically can just reach in there and grab what I want. I think that you’d be fine splitting a breast plate with anything above .012” bte, but my personal knives are usually sub .01” and I probably wouldn’t do it. Maybe I’ll try it this fall with some really thin knivesLooks like it was a great hunt, well done!
I concur re AEB-L: if it can stay sharp through an elk or a few whitetails then it's just about right. I particularly like how easy it is to touch up with minimal effort.
Do you split the breast plate with your thinly ground AEB-L blades, or is that something you wouldn't recommend (or is it just unnecessary with elk)?
I’ve done a few knives in cru wear at 64 hrc. I haven’t used it a ton myself.Any plans on using the high edge stability tool steels? Cruwear at 63+ is a freaking machine.
You're killing it, dude! Is your book open right now?In terms of “growing” as a knife maker, this was a fairly challenging build.
I was asked by my friend (the archaeologist here) to make an antler handled knife to gift to a tribal member (Ute tribe). This knife has been stressful for me. I was on a deadline, and I’ve never worked with antler before. There was a lot of freehand/eyeballing involved, which can be fun, but when you’re ocd like me stressful too. All and all for my first hidden tang antler knife I’m happy with how it turned out. There’s a few things I’m tearing apart in my head still.
Custom
.14” Aeb-L @ 63.5 HRC (much thicker stock than I ever use)
Blade Length: 4”
Handle Length: 4.25”
Handle Material: Micarta/Local mule deer
Thickness behind edge: .14”
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Hey thanks.You're killing it, dude! Is your book open right now?
I would carry the heck out of that!!!In terms of “growing” as a knife maker, this was a fairly challenging build.
I was asked by my friend (the archaeologist here) to make an antler handled knife to gift to a tribal member (Ute tribe). This knife has been stressful for me. I was on a deadline, and I’ve never worked with antler before. There was a lot of freehand/eyeballing involved, which can be fun, but when you’re ocd like me stressful too. All and all for my first hidden tang antler knife I’m happy with how it turned out. There’s a few things I’m tearing apart in my head still.
Custom
.14” Aeb-L @ 63.5 HRC (much thicker stock than I ever use)
Blade Length: 4”
Handle Length: 4.25”
Handle Material: Micarta/Local mule deer
Thickness behind edge: .14”
View attachment 2296565View attachment 2296567
In terms of “growing” as a knife maker, this was a fairly challenging build.
I was asked by my friend (the archaeologist here) to make an antler handled knife to gift to a tribal member (Ute tribe). This knife has been stressful for me. I was on a deadline, and I’ve never worked with antler before. There was a lot of freehand/eyeballing involved, which can be fun, but when you’re ocd like me stressful too. All and all for my first hidden tang antler knife I’m happy with how it turned out. There’s a few things I’m tearing apart in my head still.
Custom
.14” Aeb-L @ 63.5 HRC (much thicker stock than I ever use)
Blade Length: 4”
Handle Length: 4.25”
Handle Material: Micarta/Local mule deer
Thickness behind edge: .14”
View attachment 2296565View attachment 2296567
I’m a big fan of aeb-l and 14c28n. As most know magnacut will have better edge retention. It’s kind of hard for me to pick one.
The most important factor for me is edge stability. Both of these steels have exceptional edge stability and can take really low edge angles. I should mention, certain higher carbide steels do seem to take aggressive edges better and can be advantageous on animal parts (hide, meat, etc).
My girlfriend shot a bull elk last archery season here and I used one of my aeb-l blades at 62.5 hrc to dress it out. It was almost zero ground with a 15* per side edge. It was still shaving hair at the end of the elk. For me, I really don’t need more edge retention than that for a game processing knife.
Maybe if you were on a multi animal (in a group) hunt or extended bird hunting trip/small game trip you might want the increased edge retention. Usually though I’m backpacking for hunts so it’s one animal at a time.
Figure I may as well add a photo. Not the most savory pic, but it was her first elk, with a recurve.
View attachment 2292738
That looks awesome. Thanks for sharing.This is the type of knife I wanted to make when I started making knives. Thin stock, thin grind, simple.
EDC
.079” 14c28n @ 62.5 HRC
Blade Length: 3.5”
Handle Length: 4” Coke Bottle Shape
Handle Material: Maroon ultrex linen/natural pins finished to 220 grit
Thickness behind edge: .007” Wet Ground
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