Trad Gang

Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: srtben on November 08, 2012, 10:26:00 PM

Title: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: srtben on November 08, 2012, 10:26:00 PM
Here is another kitchen knife I just finished up. This one has a curly Koa handle, tapered tang, and a clay quenched blade.
The OAL is 12 7/8" with an 8" blade. This one will be going with me to OKCA winter show in a month.
Any and all comments welcome!
Thanks for looking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkwzhVFBwPc&feature=plcp

(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/IMG_2626copy.jpg)

(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/IMG_2627copy.jpg)

(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/IMG_2630copy.jpg)

(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/IMG_2634copy.jpg)

(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/IMG_2633copy.jpg)

(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/IMG_2632copy.jpg)

(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af354/srtben/IMG_2631copy.jpg)
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: David Yukon on November 08, 2012, 10:34:00 PM
Again and again, that is real sweet looking chef knife!! Beautiful work!! I'd love to try one out one day!!
Cheers
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: D.Ellis on November 08, 2012, 10:59:00 PM
Very nice.
Darcy  :)
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: snakewood3 on November 08, 2012, 11:19:00 PM
Dang Ben, I think I got cut just looking at that one. SHARP !!!!
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: manitou1 on November 08, 2012, 11:54:00 PM
Very nice. Makes a guy wanna go cook up something!
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: Ray Hammond on November 09, 2012, 06:35:00 AM
Ben

I'm not a chef but as a kitchen worker that knife would appear to be just perfect for so many tasks.  It would be on my belt every second I was in the kitchen !!!

Nice!!!!
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: Ray Hammond on November 09, 2012, 06:36:00 AM
Good luck at the show too!
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: daniel boon on November 09, 2012, 08:16:00 AM
Ben,
Very nice, would look good on my knife rack
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: Rusty Snuffers on November 09, 2012, 03:38:00 PM
Here's a comment for you: I wish I could afford to buy it from you.   :)

That's awesome right there.   :thumbsup:   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: srtben on November 10, 2012, 11:08:00 PM
Wow guys, thanks very much for all the comments!
This was one of my most time consuming knives yet, with the thin blade, polished hamon and the contured and highly finished handle, it took quite a while to finish.
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: Lin Rhea on November 11, 2012, 11:28:00 AM
Great job Ben! It's a pretty one. What are the handle pins?
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: srtben on November 11, 2012, 06:50:00 PM
Thanks Lin. The pins are carbon fiber rod used in kite making. I get them here  http://www.goodwinds.com/
I like to use it because it is different than the normal stainless or brass you usually see, and it adds almost zero weight to handle unlike metal pins.
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: Doug Campbell on November 11, 2012, 07:35:00 PM
Very nice Ben, like everything about it. Those long thin blades can be very challenging. Did you have any issues with warpage?
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: srtben on November 11, 2012, 08:13:00 PM
Thanks Doug. I only ground in about half way up the bevel before HT. It came out darn near straight as an arrow after the quench in P50.  I finished the bevels and tapered the tang After HT.
If I do have any warp, I correct it during tempering by clamping it in between two aluminum bars during my tempering cycles.
Works like a charm and there's no fear of breaking the blade trying to straighten it via other scary methods.
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: Doug Campbell on November 12, 2012, 09:52:00 AM
I remember you talking about that earlier Ben. I haven't had many issues lately but it will happen sooner or later. I'll have to give that a try, what are the dimensions of your clamping bars? Thanks
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: Trapper Rob on November 13, 2012, 06:34:00 PM
Nice knife
Title: Re: Curly Koa Chef
Post by: srtben on November 16, 2012, 10:40:00 AM
Thanks Rob.
Doug the bars are 1/2" thick x 2" wide. I several different lengths for different size knives.