My first go at knife making

[Bear]

I made this from a rusty file, brass pins, some phenolic given by a friend, and plenty of advice from Robtattoo. Sheath is scrap leather, friction fit. All shaping done with angle grinder and files. Total investment $2.

Not exactly a gentlemans finesse blade, but I wouldn't hesitate to pound it through kindling wood with a river stone.

[canders]

Looks great ... Way better than my first .. Good work

[SoNevada Archer]

Very nice!

[Ragnarok Forge]

Nice work.

[jvholt]

I love the way knives look that are made from files.I haven't tried one yet but should. By the way it looks real good.

[Lin Rhea]

That's a good job! Well done.    Lin

[KHALVERSON]

thats the kind of knife i like most
and a heck of of good job
kevin

[skullworks]

Great job! Nothing wrong with that one!

[MYSTIKBOW]

Bear,
     That looks like a real work horse!! Very Nice Job!  

[Bear]

Thanks guys. Might become a full fledged hobby, but I'll probably wait till I have belt sander for the next one.

[Doug Campbell]

Looks good Alex      

[Zbearclaw]

Awesome!

I am going to tinker with file knives soon too.  The part that baffles my brain is the terminology and ways to treat the steel.  I need to spend a bunch of time figuring that out.

I only hope it turns out half as well as yours...  Beautiful!

[Bear]

Oh lawwwd! Dont give yourself a headache over it. I might do some more research when I graduate to high dollar damascus, but for now, just cook it, grind it, cook it!  :D  

I have gone over the deep end in the past with building bows, arrows, etc. This time I promised myself I would keep it stupid simple... and CHEAP. Have to say, it was quite enjoyable. Next, I might use an actual store-bought billet and a belt sander. Other than that "K.I.S.S." for now.

[Zbearclaw]

The "cook it" is what I am not sure of!

[mater]

I really like the shape of that handle, its a bit differant.   Mark

[aussieman8]

that looks really cool.

[Bear]

Zeke,

In all seriousness, I almost over-complicated my first effort. It's easy to do with the sum knowledge of mankind at our fingertips. I boiled it down to;

> Heat till non-magnetic
> Shape, grind, etc. all the way to beginings of polish.
> Heat to non-magnentic
> Quench
> Temper in oven
> Polish
> Attach and shape handle
> Polish
> Sharpen

As with all skills, there's potentially way more to it. I think our potential pitfall with internet these days is trying to accumulate and apply a lifetime of knowledge to a first effort. Sure, you could, but if knowledge outruns skill by too much, we stand to become frustrated. JMO
 :rolleyes:

[Zbearclaw]

Even I can handle that!

Every time I would look into doing a simple version of s file/ sping/ lawnmower/ whatever blade I found so much I didn't know my head spun and my neck hurt!

I will see what files I can find around town and get to making sparks, thanks for dumming it down.  You obviously know how to pick read your audience!  

Just kidding, but in all seriousness thanks for the tips and congrats on a beautiful knife!

[fedora]

Dude, that knife is sweet!  I might ask you to make one for me.  If this is your first, I hate to see the knives you make when you are a professional.  My wallet would be empty buying your knives.

[Bodork]

Nice job!!!