I just finished this Camp Knife for one of my sons. He made it clear he did not want a knife he was afraid to use or get dirty. It's his bugout knife of sorts. Field grade all the way.
The blade is W1 steel about 9 5/8 and the rest is stainless and Micarta. What an ugly brown. We left it a 120 grit finish for it's grip.
I am planning for the sheath to have rawhide on the front to ward off briars.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/8065291427_43e5420478_c.jpg)
Lin that blade shape is just elegant. I really admire that one!!!
Love the profile on that one Lin. The forward lanyard hole in the guard is a nice touch.
Rough and ready, great looking knife, will only get better with grime, scratches, and patina.
I like it.......and I actually think that color micarta looks pretty good. Please be sure to post pics with the sheath when you get it done.
Darcy :)
Very nice Lin!
Here's a pic of the tang length in relation to the handle material. This one came real close to the end of the handle. Under the guard, the tang flares outward getting as close as possible to the full ricasso width creating a strong junction. If you'll notice, the tang slot in the guard is snug, but since the tang flares wider, the slot has to flare too. So, a lot can go on out of the view that has to be built in along the way.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8457/8066737888_0f715b9352_c.jpg)
I sometimes think we place too much emphasis on some knives being "pretty".
I like everything about the way this one looks.
So, this is a mortised handle affair, Lin?
And the handle material actually allows us to really visualize how your handle is shaped which I like seeing also!
I really like that one. I spent alot of time avoiding knives with synthetic materials for a handle, but once I used one with a micarta handle I won't use anything else. Micarta really isn't ugly either in my opinion. It just put more emhphasis on the beauty of the design rather than the material.
Lin, I'm getting the feeling you have no idea how to make an ugly knife and couldn't do it even if you ever figured out how.
I like the lanyard hole in the top of the guard. I've tried a machete with a wrist loop at the rear of the handle and that's scary when your hands get sweaty. That front location really locks the handle in your hand when your hand gets tired or wet.
Very Nice.
Thanks Guys. Yes, Karl, it is a mortised handle.
Looks great Lin. I know how much your son is looking forward to using it and he loves it. He also knows I am a touch jealous. Can't wait to see the sheath.
Chris
If that knife were a woman, I would never be put off by her looks. What a figure that one has with those beautiful lines! I would love to be using a camp knife that looked like that one. Lucky son. I agree with Bladepeek on your inability to make an ugly knife, Lin.
Allan
Pretty is as pretty does, that one says function all the way. My eye goes to that blade anyhow.
I would like to see the sheath also, like the thought of rawhide.
I agree with amar911. A knife like that is like a woman that looks beautiful without having to wear makeup. Just like makeup, really pretty, fancy wood grain can "hide" a lot of flaws in a knife.
I really hate to disagree with you Lin... but that is NOT an ugly one!
That is one of the nicest big blade profiles I've seen! I'm going to have to go out to the shop and try to emulate that one.
Great knife and craftmanship.
Thanks guys. My son (Greg) did some sapling cutting yesterday and likes it. The sheath is being made. It will have rawhide on the front including the pin lock bail. It will have to be stitched on damp, then dried. I'm hoping we can stain it to a dark brown.
looks great to me, i prefer them simpler anyway!
Lin. I don't think it's possible for you to make something ugly! I like it!
Yeah right, Lin make a ugly sumpin' :biglaugh:
That's a cool knife, you make 'em all look pretty Lin.
Lucas
You make even an ugly knife handle look darn good.......That looks like a real working knife, excellent! :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Thanks.
I thought you might want to see the sheath. This is not quite finished. The pin lock bail is going on today and I should have finished pics then.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8046/8141920764_731a8a2968_c.jpg)
The sheath is finished. It's different.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8052/8145459627_a24209b334_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8189/8145487786_e6fc591f3c_c.jpg)
Lin, the pin thing, it lock the knife in the sheet by passing bellow the ricasso?!?!
Very nice!!! That shealth should wear like iron.
Chris
Thank you guys. This (rawhide) is an idea I have and I hope it works out. If not, I'll know better but I think it will.
David, here is a pic of one. Yes the copper pin prevents the knife from ratcheting out from repetitive motion as on horse back or something.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8293/7704273708_6c353d08df_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7700841728_db4b0b3e28_c.jpg)
And that's a knife I'd REALLY hate to lose (if it were only mine :( )
Thank you Lin, It is a great idea! did you think of it?
Cheers
No David. It was the sheath man. I did talk him into curving the bail and sheath top to fit the guard when there is a curved guard.
Nice sheath Lin, really like that pin lock.
Really interested in how you like the rawhide over time. I've used lots of it on saddle bindings.
One thing thats really suprising is rawhide will wear out on a horn cap pretty fast from a rope.
It does ok on a cantle binding but sun will work on it a little.
It's not easy to put on and thats a good job on that sheath.
Thanks Robin. In your opinion, what product would darken and seal rawhide? Somehow I compare it with wood and keep thinking Danish or Linseed. What do you think?
Lin, The only way I know to get a deep color change on rawhide is to dye it wet before putting it on. I've used rit dye in fairly hot water to get good color changes on braiding string hides. It will get deep enough to stay.
Sealing it is pretty tough, rawhide never quits pulling and shrinking. Most coating type finishes crack. On braiding I've always just used a rubbed in coat of Feibings white saddle soap. I'm trying some stuff made for rawhide, so far I can't tell the difference from the saddle soap.
I've made some camera and bino cases out of rawhide (light and very tough) I've just used amber shellac on them. It gives them a nice amber tinge and when it lightens up from wear I just give it another coat. It's also what I coat my rawhide saddle tree's with.
Hope this helps. Robin
I have found this product to be excellent on rawhide.
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=1268&familyName=Smiths+Warm+CPES+Epoxy
Thank you Charles and Robin. Two good options for me to think about.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8487/8179898907_89d8a74e69_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8205/8180117827_a1551c3298_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8180108746_4e4400a577_c.jpg)
Lin, good stuff as always, sent you a PM on the rawhide.
Wow! He's swing that blade so fast it bent the tip up :D
Thank you Matt. Greg (my son) and I walked out into the cut over and did some cutting. He was trying out his folding buck saw and his knife. I took my new (no name yet) knife. We chopped and sliced and snipped stuff and let Daisy sniff around for mice.
Lately I've been really trying to find the limits of some of the steels I work with. Not only edge geometry, but heat treating. Greg's knife is W1 steel and mine is 1095. These are some of the blades that I was testing. Greg is excited about his knife and has put together quite a pack of equipment for camping/emergency. He's not been easy on it and it's been doing great.
Very cool Lin, you have inspired me to finally make myself a knife, and actually keep it!
Lin I personally like the contrast betwn the handle and the sheath,really stands out.
I am really impressed with the Pin Lock idea, never seen anything like that before - My wifes eyes are rolling back - I'm Inspired, top all round Rig
regards Jacko
Thank you guys. Jacko, Our wives probably think it doesn't take much to impress us. :) Thank you sir.