Vince, thanks for showing the pictures. They are files and I hadn't realized that they made good blanks for knives. The labor of love!

My guide for making this knife I found on Utube. After much searching and watching Utube videos I settled on a presentation by GreenPete. Links below.

GreenPete 1 of 4
GreenPete 2 of 4
GreenPete 3 of 4
GreenPete 4 of 4

Cheers, Vince

Yep, just an old rusty file Slim. It polished up very nicely too, although it did take quite a bit of time and work, but in the end I got a mirror, chrome like, finish on the blade.

The reason I chose to use an old file is because the steel is (usually) a high grade carbon steel, and its easy to work and heat treat. I also know that is the sort of knife my mate likes.

I would be happy to acquire a piece of stainless steel and use that, although I don't think it would be as easy to heat treat as carbon steel.

Cheers, Vince

"craftsman" is the word that comes to mind

Vince,
I am (and have been) working on a stainless steel knife. I started with a bar of 440-C3 stainless and have worn out two files so far. The stainless is hard and, more importantly, tough as it comes. I was putting so much pressure on my first file that I broke it. Since then I have been more conservative in my work but it goes a lot slower than working with carbon steel. To temper it I will have to have it done professionally because it has to be done in a bath of molten salts (not table salt) and then quenched. After that it has to be heat treated in much the same way just a bit less time in the bath and different cooling process.
The design is a double edged dagger with a 10 inch blade. The handle will be made of purple heart wood with a dark stain added to the purple color of the wood.

Gidday Paul...wow....that is tough steel mate.

Have you given any thought to purchasing a linisher attachment for a bench grinder? One of these will make your job so much easier...and save on files mate.

The knife you are making sounds magnificent mate...I look forward to seeing some pics mate.

Cheers, Vince

Those make my Bucks, Kershaws ,and bayonets look dull.....

Paul, yes some pictures! The wood sounds beautiful.

Yep Bushy, I'm back. I got side-tracked. It's a long story and you probably wouldn't believe it if I told you. I wasn't ambushed and held captive by the local natives, if that's what you're thinking.

Cary

i use a case xxchanger .it has a drop point blade ,saw blade ,gut hook ,fillet blade and a regular upswept blade. does all the jobs for field dressing a deer to slicing it up for the freezer

You have local natives still living in Texas? I thought you put them all on reservations. Well you are close to the border. Could have been drug cartels I guess.

Wet enough for you?

Hey there Whittling welcome back, where have you been hiding?

Who you callin' a rusty bastard?

Love the inlay Vince!

......"now, THAT'S a KNIFE"....

OntheLasGallinas wrote:

I wasn't ambushed and held captive by the local natives, if that's what you're thinking. Cary

Well then maybe you was kid-napped and held captive by some wild women... and if that's the case what the heck are you doing back here???

d_hoffman wrote:

Well then maybe you was kid-napped and held captive by some wild women... and if that's the case what the heck are you doing back here???

Good question. As long as he has some white colour left in his eyes, I've been told there is room for a refill