Carbon Hunter in Walnut (finished)

[Lin Rhea]

I am working on this good size hunter. The blade is 5 inches of forged 5160, the guard is 416 stainless, and the wood is some curly Walnut I've had for years. Very straight forward. I'll try to finish it Monday. In fact, the blade in the picture is only at 220 and pretty rough as far as hand sanding is concerned. It will look better.
   

[Ray Hammond]

niiiiiice

[ymountainman]

That wood is gonna be pretty. Thanks for posting.

[gudspelr]

I really like that one, Lin. Out of curiosity, how do you figure the dimensions of a guard when shaping it off of the knife? As it stands now, I put the guard and handle block on then shape it all together. But, that greatly limits things as far as materials and different things like coined spacers, etc. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Jeremy

[Lin Rhea]

Jeremy,
                 I mill the slot to fit the blade and eyeball the ricasso "through" the guard and rough out the finger curve leaving a little material to blend with or to the handle material. That guard is just roughly shaped to its  "oval". I will finish the front of the guard just before I clamp it on the blade. The rest of the guard gets finished after the handle is glued or pinned even if it's a temporary joining of the knife such as when the fittings are Damascus.

I imagine about every knife maker has his own way but it really don't matter as long as all the bases are covered.

[Track]

Looking great so far. Planning on a butt cap on this one Lin?

[Steve Nuckels]

Love the knife!

I also like how you round the slot in the guard and round the tang at the shoulder for that 1/8".  Do you still use JB weld on the guard?

Steve
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Member. W.F. Moran Foundation

[gudspelr]

Thanks, Lin. I appreciate it.

Jeremy

[Lin Rhea]

Steve, I just rough out the slot with a small mill and not to exacting lines as you can see. I just file the last little bit to insure that my fit is tight with no slop.

The tang is filed while the file guide is on. As I get the 4 shoulders sharp and with clean steps, I just go around the tang at the same time.  

I don't assign myself many hard fast rules about how to get there, as long as I get there. "There" is beefy tang, and tight joints.

Yes. I often use JB weld to seal and hold the tight joint while I work on the handle. After that it just serves as a seal.

[Lin Rhea]

I sure thought I posted a finished picture of this one. I guess I forgot to.

[bjansen]

Turned out great Lin.

[Steve Nuckels]

Bravo!

Steve
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Potomac Forge
Member, W.F. Moran Foundation

[srtben]

Super classy, love it.

[cacciatore]

Another nice work Lin!

[djohnson]

Beautiful work Lin!

[Antlerhog]

Awesome!!!!!

[Track]

I like the sleek lines on this one.

[Jack Guard]

Beautiful Len.  Sometimes i see your work it it flat out depresses me.  cause i dont think i could ever make a knife as nice as you do. LOL

that may be flat out jealousy.