Blacksmith Knife

[4est trekker]

Here's a new one forged from an old worn-out Made-In-the-U.S.A. Nicholson file.  It's got a 4" blade and is 7.75" in total length.  I fashioned a wet-molded side draw sheath for it.  It was etched in vinegar.  Thanks for looking    

 

 

 

 

[akaboomer]

I like this one. Nice little Blacksmith knife!

Chris

[gudspelr]

Great job on that one.  I also really like the sheath.  It seems like a lot of the time, we can do really well on a knife, then the sheath is more of an after-thought.  Looks like you have some nice stitching (sometimes I can pull too tight...) and you even put the extra work into the back side of it.  The design looks good and it looks like you're using an edger?  I love a good edger to take off that sharp corner and give it that more "finished" look.  Do you use a slicker (wood or antler) to burnish over the edges?  Thanks for sharing the pics.

Jeremy

[oldpaths]

Love it,and I second Jeremy's comments about the sheath. Great job!!!

[Steve Nuckels]

Nice work all the way around!  Those knives seem fairly simple, however they take planning execution.  I tried one and I think it got the best of me!

Steve
-------
Potomac Forge
ABS Apprentice

[akaboomer]

When you forged this one did you bend the handle to shape  before you quenched it or after? I did one of these and am curious as to your approach. I have some W2 that is a good size for this style project and plan on doing it again.

Chris

[4est trekker]

Thanks for the comments, all.  

Chris: Here's the "order of operation" I used, right or wrong:

1) Forged the blade and drew out the tang flat and straight (i.e. didn't twist or bend it to profile)
2) Ground the bevels on the blade
3) Twisted and bent the tang to the handle profile
4) Double quenched the blade, leaving the handle exposed both times.  

I actually built a little jig of sorts for the quenches that helped me to get the blade quenched quickly and accurately without accidentally quenching the handle.

[akaboomer]

I would love to see the jig you made. Perhaps you could post it in the Shade Tree thread. I like having it to refer to when I need to make a tool or jig for a project. You solved the issue I was referring to, hardening the guard portion of the handle.

Thanks, Chris

[4est trekker]

Jeremy:  Yes, I do use both an edger and a wooden burnisher. And believe me...I'm just learning how to NOT pull the stitching too tight.  

Chris:  You know, I've seen several knives of this style that have a hardened "tang" (including the integral guard) that doubles as a flint striker.  However, that just seems like a recipe for disaster in my book. I'll try to build a nicer looking version of the little jig I used.  It worked, but it's sinfully ugly!  

[bjansen]

Awesome work 4est

[Roughcountry]

Very nice blade, looks like it would be very handy to use.
I totaly agree on the sheath coments above. You've hit the perfect balance on your sheath, Function, Fit and Finish.
Well done.

[Kevin Evans]

Cool little knife  

[4est trekker]

Thanks, gents.  

[Montauks]

Very nice...I'd like to try this style of knife...Is there a tutorial you followed for this or do you just kind of "wing" it?

[4est trekker]

Gene:  I studied a ton of pictures and then drew a scale drawing of what I wanted.  From there, I reverse engineered the thing in order to determine the steps outlined above.  But, having never made one of these before, yeah...I pretty much had to "wing" it