- Joined
- Dec 27, 2013
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Hello all,
I acquired pieces of the wreckage of an SR71 Blackbird that crashed long ago, with instructions to make a few knives. As you probably know, the SR71 Backbird was made almost completely from titanium alloy, and although is retired, is still the fastest jet aircraft ever made.
The alloy proved to be a bit...strange, but nevertheless, knives were made! I was able to get some decent hardness using a modified heat treatment for over-alloyed titanium, and they should be fine for cutting softer materials. Check out the metamorphosis below.
Two pieces selected for making knives:
Bolts removed and pieces cut to make four blades.
Flattened and gently forged a bit. Beginning to be ground to shape, laying on a pile of SR71 grindings:
Little ones coming along:
Marked!
The bigger ones ready for stick tangs to be welded in place:
Sticks affixed, and rivet holes filled:
The finished knife blades, off to their owner to get handles, sheaths, sharpened, and probably a bit of polishing.
I'm not much of a knifemaker, more of a sword and machete bot, but they turned out pretty good! It was a pleasure to turn these little pieces of astounding aerospace history into something novel for the world of blades.
knarfeng
I acquired pieces of the wreckage of an SR71 Blackbird that crashed long ago, with instructions to make a few knives. As you probably know, the SR71 Backbird was made almost completely from titanium alloy, and although is retired, is still the fastest jet aircraft ever made.
The alloy proved to be a bit...strange, but nevertheless, knives were made! I was able to get some decent hardness using a modified heat treatment for over-alloyed titanium, and they should be fine for cutting softer materials. Check out the metamorphosis below.
Two pieces selected for making knives:
Bolts removed and pieces cut to make four blades.
Flattened and gently forged a bit. Beginning to be ground to shape, laying on a pile of SR71 grindings:
Little ones coming along:
Marked!
The bigger ones ready for stick tangs to be welded in place:
Sticks affixed, and rivet holes filled:
The finished knife blades, off to their owner to get handles, sheaths, sharpened, and probably a bit of polishing.
I'm not much of a knifemaker, more of a sword and machete bot, but they turned out pretty good! It was a pleasure to turn these little pieces of astounding aerospace history into something novel for the world of blades.
knarfeng
When the love of blades and the love of flying machines combine.
Thanks again Sammy 
I'm also aware that the particular alloy is a little difficult to work with
).