I finally found a free afternoon last Saturday and got this one finished up. This is my first knife I have worked on since June. Buying a house and getting ready for a little one have taken up most of my free time. I made this from a small piece of 1095 and the handle is stag antler. The overall length of this knife is 5 1/4" with the blade being 2" long, the perfect little "Squirrel Skinner". I plan on making a knife like this for my son, who will be here in January, to tote around when he gets of age. I think this knife will be functional for small jobs of all kinds and it should serve him well throughout his younger years, I just need to "test" it out first!
I still have my first knife Dad made me when I was younger and I remember that feeling I had getting to carry it around on all the excursions I went on with him and I want my son to have that same feeling. My knife didn't have an edge on it at all but that didn't matter back then. My son's knife won't have a sharp edge either until I feel he is ready but I think he will be proud to carry it.
(http://i.imgur.com/OVijQwn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZYVBJ9S.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/bx8zqXY.jpg)
That's pretty neat. I really like it. :campfire:
My grandson is nearly 5 months old and I am making him one now about that size. I want to make him one in case something unexpected should ever happen to me. You never know. So I figure to get one made and in his parent's hands.
That's a fantastic looking knife and even better back story. I'm sure he's going to have some great memories of carrying a knife his dad made him just like you do. My son really wants a knife, too and I told him we'll make one together for him. I love how hobbies like this can be inclusive of our kids, but also leave them with something so meaningful for a long time to come.
Jeremy
That's a beautiful little knife. I don't very often use more than the last inch of the blade anyway, so that little blade would handle 90% of my chores and do it in style.
That is a cool little knife! Lucky boy to be toting his own, made by Dad!!
An outstanding little knife! And looks to be very well done too!
Early Congrats on your future arrival!
Steve
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Potomac Forge
Member, W.F. Moran Foundation
That's a beauty. I've been wanting to do something similar, only with a little shorter handle, maybe 4 1/2" OAL. I want to try a small leather sheath with a metal clip to carry in my pocket.
very cool - can you take a top down photo showing the tang and scale thickness?
Thanks for all the kind words guys. Bobby, I will take a picture tonight of that angle and post it for ya.
Great work Caley, you have been making some nice knives.
Thanks Dan, I appreciate it!
KS - By the way - I may be copying your design. I really like it. The stag is a nice touch
I somehow missed the second paragraph of this post the first time I read it. I built one for my son a few years back. He turned 9 about a week ago and I sharpened his for the first time just before hunting season this year. He was just as excited about that as he was when I first gave it to him. Its kind of like you'll get to give it to him as a gift twice. It's about time to make one for my daughter now I guess. You guys may get to see a pink knife in the near future.
Oh, by the way, let us know how it works on that limb bacon.
Matt
Bobby, copy away! I'm excited to see what ya come up with. Here is a top view of the knife. Sorry the picture isn't very clear but you get the idea of scale and tang thickness.
Matt, I had squirrels all over me on Sunday morning but non offered good shots so I held off, the knife will just have to wait. I kick myself for not bringing my slingshot, maybe this week. If you get your daughters knife done, make sure to post it on here, I would like to see it.
(http://i.imgur.com/q0UtwXi.jpg)
Super cool knife. Very well thought out.
You have a lucky child.
Great knife.
Great knife! He'll cherish it forever. When he gets old enough and you make one together he'll have two he'll keep a lifetime!
That is a beauty for sure. Love the hamon line too.
Thanks for the kind words guys, I appreciate it.
Great looking Little knife Caley. I bet it can gut a deer like no ones business. Or skin squirrels ;)
You know what Caley I bet that knife you look very nice with a Damascus blade (he remarks nonchalantly)
DDave
I just ordered two more of these from Caley...one is for a wood shop teacher just to have handy for odd jobs and sharpening carpenters pencils...the other one is going to my outfitter buddy for skinning bears
DDave
That there is an ideal little knife!!!! Good job on it.
Jay
Real nice little knife you got there.