Well, i did it. I have been making slip joints 6 months now, and have attempted a 3 blade stockman 5 times, and finally have learned all the techniques necessary to pull it off!
It has some issues.
I messed up the handle geometry and the master blade tip stuck outside the handle, so i had to shorten the master clip blade and reprofile, i lost nearly 1/2".
I looked at the blade arrangement a dozen times and was convinced i was putting the nail pulls on the correct side, but i didnt. I had already started the asymmetrical grinds when i realized the error, so i had to put the master blade on the other side and cut another pull on the opposite side of the blade.
I made the little spey blade too narrow, and it is difficult to access its nail pull. I could of ground the handle down more but it would have looked weird. I could have ground a divot in the liner/wood too get more room, but i didnt. I made the wood thinner there and it made it usable, and i am content with that.
It is 1/2" thick which is too thick. Next time i will start with 3/32" bolsters and scales and use 0.025" liners.
I chipped the wood when doing the shield inlay.
I also really need to start grinding the nail nicks, i really dont like using a dremel cut off wheel.
I didnt get the middle sheeps foot blade centered. I ground it a bit too much before heat treat and first temporary assembly, and so couldnt grind it to center without making it too thin.
Overall, it was a fun experience, although frustrating i got mixed up on which blades went where when grinding and cutting nail pulls. Next time, i will temp assemble the knife and then mark nail pulls and what to grind where.
It has some issues.
I messed up the handle geometry and the master blade tip stuck outside the handle, so i had to shorten the master clip blade and reprofile, i lost nearly 1/2".
I looked at the blade arrangement a dozen times and was convinced i was putting the nail pulls on the correct side, but i didnt. I had already started the asymmetrical grinds when i realized the error, so i had to put the master blade on the other side and cut another pull on the opposite side of the blade.
I made the little spey blade too narrow, and it is difficult to access its nail pull. I could of ground the handle down more but it would have looked weird. I could have ground a divot in the liner/wood too get more room, but i didnt. I made the wood thinner there and it made it usable, and i am content with that.
It is 1/2" thick which is too thick. Next time i will start with 3/32" bolsters and scales and use 0.025" liners.
I chipped the wood when doing the shield inlay.
I also really need to start grinding the nail nicks, i really dont like using a dremel cut off wheel.
I didnt get the middle sheeps foot blade centered. I ground it a bit too much before heat treat and first temporary assembly, and so couldnt grind it to center without making it too thin.
Overall, it was a fun experience, although frustrating i got mixed up on which blades went where when grinding and cutting nail pulls. Next time, i will temp assemble the knife and then mark nail pulls and what to grind where.
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