Rob's 1st knife build - You, with a little bit of me, we're building a knife!

[Matt Rochester]

Good to know! I'm not a wood expert like you so I just call what I buy it as! I just saw it in you list of handle woods. I really like how parts are almost yellow. I really does make a good handle. I have a kitchen knife in it and it has held up nice. That post is very informative.

A note on Matt's comment, Bolivian rosewood is not a rosewood. Its the marketing name of Morado, which you may know better as Pau ferro. If you would like a set of scales I think i can help you out, Just shoot me an email

bengreenberg415@gmail.com

 

[Faralon]

Quick Update:

Knife 3 of 6 done initial bevel grinding. I wish my family had more bushcrafters in it so I could just grind in a scandi! These FFG's take some time! I think I've burnt out 1 side of the bastard file, so I'm flipping it for the last 3.
I finally got the plunge line down, and fairly symmetrical on the 3rd knife. Processes are improving!
I've also taken delivery on some Corby and Loveless bolts, along with some Red and Black liner material and 1/4" brass and stainless lanyard tubing.

 

[Runthemall]

Love this thread! I love Aaron Gough's Resolute design. As a matter of fact, my current knife build (4th knife) is inspired by the Gough design! I plan on giving it to my son.

 

[Faralon]

Thanks Runthemall, glad you're enjoying it. Have you started a thread on your knife #4 build at all, I'd love to check it out. (I checked out your 1-3 already) Great lookin' knives!

Agreed, many thanks to Aaron, his "How To" videos, and his inspiration.
I've also gleaned a lot of knowledge from Mike and his "How To" videos at EKIM Knives on YouTube.

 

[Kevin McGovern]

Aaron is like a human micrometer.

 

[Faralon]

Ending the night with my seventh bevel. Pretty much exactly what I'm looking for....then I had to go nick the back of the choil with 1 stroke of the file. /facepalm. Progress and improvement.

 

[Faralon]

Quick question. With 1/8" bar stock, should I try to taper the tang on these knives or just leave it as is due to the fact that its already fairly thin?

 

[Cody Hofsommer]

If you are going to leave the back of the tang as a window breaker, I would not taper the tang. Just drill some holes to lighten it. I really like a tapered tang,but it does add some headaches, especially without a real grinder.

 

[Faralon]

What, you didn't think I gave up on this did ya? Just got busy w/ holiday stuff like everyone else. These will still be gifts, just not Christmas gifts....for 2015 atleast. Just finished grinding the last blade last night. All 6 are ready for heat treat! Gonna go old school, backyard fire pit w/ a hair drier and pipe. Fingers crossed!

 

[Matt Rochester]

Looking good bud! Better keep at it because it will be Christmas 2016 before you know it, time flies!

 

[Greenberg Woods]

Looking good! if you are heat treating several knives at a time i would say it is best to heat one up, quench it, then it straight into the oven. Trust me, a fresh uenched blade is a LOT more brittle than you think it is, or want it to be.

Given any thought to handles?

 

[Sprayman]

I'm impressed. So far they look much better than my first knives. I look forward to seeing the progress.

 

[Randydb]

Very cool process and thread. Keep at it!

 

[Rick Marchand]

Looking good.

PLEASE please please take the dust bag off your belt grinder. Huge fire hazard.

 

[ron_m80]

The knives looks good. It isn't so easy making repeats like that. Have you tried "draw filing" them with a single cut file yet? From the look of the stroke marks you may find it fits somewhere in the next few steps.

 

[weo]

Looking good! if you are heat treating several knives at a time i would say it is best to heat one up, quench it, then it straight into the oven. Trust me, a fresh uenched blade is a LOT more brittle than you think it is, or want it to be.

Given any thought to handles?

If you'd like a visual.....

 

[NC Biker]

Rob, your blades are looking good. I noticed the ribs on the wall, what airframe are you building?

 

[Faralon]

Thanks for the positive feedback everyone, hope to have some heat treat pictures later tonight.

Ben, I think we might have to put some Macassar Ebony scales on these, check your email

Rick, good call, that was a total /facepalm w/ the dust collector....worse yet, I later hooked it up to my shopvac! Speeds are still pretty slow on that 18" grinder, even at max speed, but the risk is still there for sure. :thumbup:

Ron_M80, I'll have to see what I have. Sounds like a single cut draw file might be a good start after heat treat. Thanks!

Weo, OUCH! I'll keep that in mind as I'm horsing around the fire.

NC Biker, good eye. I've built all the Ribs for the wings of a Bearhawk 4-place.

 

[Faralon]

Heat Treat!
We had one casualty, the 1st one. Didn't realize how quick the blades can get hot, and cooked the tip right off! Anywho, outside of that, everything went according g to plan. Heated to non-metallic, put it back in the fire for 10sec, and quenched in canola oil.

Setup: Hair Dryer, 3' of 3/4" iron plumbing pipe (not galvanized) piece of wood for the blades, a new paint can full of canola oil, welding gloves and some vice grips.

After cleaning the blades with dish soap, it's into the oven at 450'f for 1hr. X2.

They all look good and straight...minus the poor fella that got its face melted off.

Any tips for grinding/sanding after Tempering? What grits to start out with etc..?

 

[NC Biker]

NC Biker, good eye. I've built all the Ribs for the wings of a Bearhawk 4-place.

Nice plane, I wish you luck getting her into the air. I have to tell you though, I've found airplanes, boats and knife making to be in the same catagory, that being, big holes that you throw money into. A nice 2x72 will come in real handy for the airplane as well as for knives

On your post heat treat, I usually back up one grit from where the blade were before they went into the fire. If I had them at 220 prior to HT, I start at 180 post heat treat.