First knife ever

[TRAVIS R HENNINGER]

This is my first ever attempt at making a knife. It is made of B16 material. It was scrap we had at work. Handle is oak. The next will be greatly improved.

 

[3fifty7]

Talk us through what you did and what you learned to do or not to do next time.
Learn something from every knife you make or break.

 

[TRAVIS R HENNINGER]

Well, let's see. I rough cut the blade and profiled it. The taper is a full taper, from the spine to the edge. I polished it some, but thought it would be better to do after HT. I made a forge from an old grill. It is lined with plaster of Paris and perilite. Also it has an air pipe going into it. I hook up my vacuum to it and it works great. I heated the B16 material to non magnetic and kept it there for a minute. Then dunked it in some veggie oil.

 

[HuntingSteven]

Looks great Travis, especially for your first knife ever! To me, it kind of even looks like a benchmade (saddle mountain skinner). Keep us updated on the next one!

 

[TRAVIS R HENNINGER]

I am waiting on my steel to get here. I ordered it from Jantz, but it has no tracking number. We will see.

 

[TRAVIS R HENNINGER]

I will try to do a better job of documenting the process.

Are there places on here that talk about pinning handles? I am new to the site.

 

[TRAVIS R HENNINGER]

Thanks Huntingsteven.

 

[ruffinogold]

I think it's great ! I'd like to try making one some day .... enjoy !!!

 

[madcap_magician]

Not too bad! Excellent first try.

If I can make a recommendation, you might find your proportions in design improve if you model your knife design in cardboard first. Gives you a chance to see how the design fits in hand without requiring any grinding.

 

[TRAVIS R HENNINGER]

Not too bad! Excellent first try.

If I can make a recommendation, you might find your proportions in design improve if you model your knife design in cardboard first. Gives you a chance to see how the design fits in hand without requiring any grinding.

I agree. The next knife came out much better.
The pins are a little to close to the edges of the scales though.

 

[Unkldave]

I agree. The next knife came out much better.
The pins are a little to close to the edges of the scales though.

Very nice work. How did you do your pins? Do you brad them, or maybe even use epoxy? I use old hacksaw blades and make chintzy little mini knives, just for fun. I epoxy brass grounding wire and sand them down.

 

[Saxman25]

Looking good, especially for a first and second try. Having a nice, even finish to your blade is something that can definitely make an amateur knife look professional, so kudos to you for working on the polish on that second blade! A little handle tip, I noticed you have what looks to be a little extra glue on the ricasso that squeezed out from under the handle scales on the second one. You can use a q-tip or small bit of paper towel soaked in acetone to dissolve that glue away while it is still drying.

-Grant

 

[TRAVIS R HENNINGER]

Thanks for the advise. The pins are finishing nails. I did brad them over, but tried not to over do it.

 

[Horsewright]

Travis nice job on the knives. Particularly for first and second efforts. Here's the area her on BF that will help ya with any knife making questions: https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/shop-talk-bladesmith-questions-and-answers.741/

What steel is your second knife?

 

[TRAVIS R HENNINGER]

The second is 5160. Here is a picture.

I have since made a 3rd. I am playing around with making micarta handles. This is also 5160. Thickness is 1/4"

 

[Horsewright]

Why so thick? Did ya make the micarta on the third?

 

[TRAVIS R HENNINGER]

I used what I had. I will be ordering more in a week or two. I believe I will try some 1080 in 1/8 or 1095 in 5/32. Opinions On material and thickness are appreciated.

Yes I did make the micarta on the 3rd knife. I am going to see how well it holds up before using homemade micarta again.

 

[Horsewright]

Home made mycarta can be very durable. If done well. The things a guy and his brother will do on a Thanksgiving morning while the ladies are working on dinner.

For the vast majority of my knives I use 1/8" steel. Even some hunters I'll stick to 1/8" stock. I will use 5/32" on most larger knives including bowies, camp knives, hunters and skinners. Kitchen knives and leather knives I will start at .070 and often grind thinner.

1/8" stock (AEB-L) hunter with mesquite handles and full flat grind:

The thinness makes it an excellent cutter and slicer.

 

[TRAVIS R HENNINGER]

I believe you talked me in to 1/8 inch steel. I will be ordering it from admiral steel. I have not found anywhere here in louisville that carries 1095 or 1080. I appruciate all of your advice. One last question. Hot rolled or cold rolled annealed?

 

[Horsewright]

Look at New Jersey Steel Baron and or Alpha Knife Supply. Both are members here and support this site. I buy all my non damascus steel from one or the other. Look at 1084. makes a great knife and easy to get the heat treat right.