Trad Gang

Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: srtben on June 16, 2012, 11:28:00 PM

Title: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: srtben on June 16, 2012, 11:28:00 PM
This is a new bowie I just finished up (still needs a sheath). It is my first time doing a tapered tang, and surprisingly it turned out quite well.
The Blade is .214" 5160 and the handle is curly Koa w/ stainless pins. This is kind of a new style for me with this type of dropped edge at the handle, without a large radius there.
The OAL is 15", with a 9 7/8" blade.
Let me know what you guys think.

(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/IMG_1961.jpg)

(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/IMG_1963.jpg)

 (http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/IMG_1952.jpg)

 (http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/IMG_1955.jpg)

 (http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/IMG_1957.jpg)

 (http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/IMG_1958.jpg)

 (http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/IMG_1956.jpg)

(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/IMG_1962.jpg)
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: Ray Hammond on June 17, 2012, 07:19:00 AM
Sweeet!
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: Lin Rhea on June 17, 2012, 08:36:00 AM
I like it!
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: kansas stik man on June 17, 2012, 09:11:00 AM
i like it alot but for me the wood looks unfinished.  i like a little shine to my wood scales. now whether a guy can sand and buff the wood shiny with a simple oil that soaks in good or something like tung oil that makes a nice glossy shine.  but its not my knife and your not making it for me so my two cents is mearly a opinion. lol.  ss pins look great and that blade profile is a really winner in my book. awesome work ben , as usual lol
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: Toecutter on June 17, 2012, 09:56:00 AM
Great!!
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: kbaknife on June 17, 2012, 12:53:00 PM
I really like the lines of the over-all knife.
Great proportions, which is something that means a lot to me.
Looks like a comfy handle and a very, very slight recurve to the blade makes for an aggressive cutter.
If you nailed the heat treat on this one, it's a winner.
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: srtben on June 17, 2012, 04:19:00 PM
Thanks guys!
JD It will be getting a couple more coats of Tung oil, which should shine it up a bit.

Karl, I appreciate the comments, they mean a lot really!

The recurve is ever so slight, but is more noticeable in hand.
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: kansas stik man on June 17, 2012, 04:47:00 PM
looks like it would weigh about 14 oz roughly would make a great camp knife thats for sure.
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: Doug Campbell on June 17, 2012, 04:47:00 PM
:thumbsup:     :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: srtben on June 17, 2012, 05:20:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by kansas stik man:
looks like it would weigh about 14 oz roughly would make a great camp knife thats for sure.
Nailed it, 14.35oz
  :D
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: Rick Richard on June 17, 2012, 07:12:00 PM
One hell of a pig sticker.  Real nice!
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: joekeith on June 17, 2012, 09:51:00 PM
I like it..  :bigsmyl:  ..I like it alot..  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: Bobby Urban on June 18, 2012, 08:11:00 AM
Once again - perfect.  I have said it before but worth repeating on this one - your knives inspire me to get better.  Very nice work.
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: akaboomer on June 18, 2012, 12:20:00 PM
I like the lines and it flows well. Good job Ben.

Chris
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: amar911 on June 19, 2012, 02:18:00 AM
Nice knife, Ben. The tapered tang adds a lot to the design.

Allan
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: WRV on June 19, 2012, 11:31:00 AM
Very nice!
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: srtben on June 23, 2012, 05:26:00 PM
Thanks for the comments guys! I just added a couple pics of the sheath.
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: Ray Hammond on July 07, 2012, 07:14:00 AM
Ben

Would you mind explaining the steps/sequence of operations you use for mating up scales to handle on a tapered tang? ( like drilling holes for pins, for one?

I like the hammered texture on the sheath too!
Title: Re: Curly Koa Camp Cutter {Sheath pics added}
Post by: srtben on July 07, 2012, 12:05:00 PM
Sure Ray,
Being that I use stock removal it may be a bit different if you forge in your taper.
I start by drilling the tang while it is still flat, that way the holes are perpendicular to the tang (90 degrees).
After some input on another forum, I went ahead and built a holding fixture for drilling the scales.
Basically it clamps down on the flat ricasso area and holds the knife at a perfect 90.
Then with a couple small drops of super glue and a couple clamps I put the scale on one side and drill it, flip the blade and repeat the process.
Voila!! Holes that are all magically aligned perfectly!!
This jig will also make drilling odd shaped material like stag and horn, a piece of cake.
I hope that makes sense, this is my first tapered tang, so I am no expert.

(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/Shop%20pics/IMG_1720.jpg)