|
Post by Matt993f.o.d on Aug 26, 2008 18:26:12 GMT
Overall length=7.5" Blade length=3.5" Handle length=4" Thickness=3/16" Material=Recycled file Grind=Flat Hardened=Oil to water. Double hardened. Tempered=One and a half hours at 210 degrees C. Bronze oxide film Polish=Semi satin, 1000 grit. Handle=Beech, with a rosewood stain. 2 coats of varnish. Secured with 3 brass pins, and one hollow brass lanyard pin. SHARP This knife is intended for use as a utility knife for outdoor trips, such as fishing or camping. Thus it is relatively compact, with a full tang, flat grind (for a compromise between strength and sharpness) and a relatively tough temper for another compromise between toughness and edge retention; It is altogether a general purpose knife, in every sense. I made this knife out of a knackered old file given to me by my dear old Dad. It is the first of my knives that isnt really meant for anyone I know, which I guess makes it for sale. 50 quid (GBP) to anyone interested. Its getting a sheath soon, which will be made by my gorgeous girlfriend, Bea. She's already doing a sheath for my last project. I'll post pics when they're done. The only thing I am not proud of on this knife is the way that I marred the edge profile up slightly when at the 320 grit polishing step with my DA sander. Very annoying. What does everyone think of the handle colour? I havnt been able to source any exotic hardwoods, so with good old beech the best I can do is stain and varnish it, and I think this rosewood stain makes for a nice handle colour. Lighter than my favourite dark jacobean, but very good for the style of knife, I think. Critique welcome. The blade is covered in oil in the pics, so that is why it looks mucky.
|
|
|
Post by alvin on Aug 26, 2008 18:52:59 GMT
Beautiful work matt ! It looks to be a very neat, little camp knife. I have always liked this style for a camp/utility knife, which is why I bought a BKT Campanion years ago. A bit larger than yours, but I believe that it's much more useful than the "bowie" style. A darker color for the scales might be prettier on yours, but it looks great as is. Congratulations. Karma 2 U.
|
|
|
Post by Matt993f.o.d on Aug 26, 2008 19:06:17 GMT
Cheers Alvin. I was actually forging a bowie whilst finishing this one, but was completely unimpressed by the result, so threw it away.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2008 22:17:43 GMT
Most excellent work Matt! STill need to contour those handles a bit better, looks a bit square. Friggin awesome shape though damn! You get better with each one, can't wait to see your girlfriend Bea's sheathes too!
|
|
|
Post by Dan Davis on Aug 27, 2008 12:38:31 GMT
Hey Sam, I think one of the things I like best about this forum is seeing these new smiths develop. First Brenno, now Matt.
Matt, your pieces are looking more professional every day (or at least every time we see one).
BTW, squarish handles are fine as long as they are thin in profile. If they are thick and blocky then it gets a bit dicey; how about an edge up shot or two showing the other profile?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2008 14:15:37 GMT
nice work matt looks similar to mine.... just better. anywho i have found that a dremal rotary tool works great for getting those curves on the handle.
|
|
|
Post by Dan Davis on Aug 27, 2008 14:37:35 GMT
nice work matt looks similar to mine.... just better. anywho i have found that a dremal rotary tool works great for getting those curves on the handle. Heck, just tape a strip of sandpaper to the horn of your anvil. Or around a chair leg.
|
|
|
Post by Matt993f.o.d on Aug 27, 2008 16:20:00 GMT
Thank you very much for your very kind words, guys.
The handle is slim, about 1.5cm in all. The photos don't show it too well, but the edges are chamfered slightly to give a comfy grip. Although it looked smooth at first with sharp corners I quickly decided to round them off to give it a more pleasant look.
I'll try and get an end on shot, so you can see what I've done. On my last full tang knife project (the craft knife) I simply sanded the corners off, trying to be clever, but it looked hideous when I was done. Not proud of that one.
Bea is nearly done with the sheath for my fighter, but hasnt started the sheath for this one yet.
|
|