Hunting Knifes

Suzanne · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:23 pm Post subject: Re: Hunting Knifes

I took a steak knife from work that somebody left there years ago to be of some use in our office kitchen. It's very dull and so nobody used it, and it actually has some rust on it. I figured the metal is probably useful for something, the handle is very blocky and uncomfortable. Maybe I can do something with it. It's kinda long and I could reshape it on my grinder. I've never really thought about knife making, but a person needs to do that at least once in their life right? I need to think of a use for it first and then design it within the parameters of the blade. Making the handle should be the fun part, I have lots of scrap exotic woods around.

a thief
Suz

Aloysius · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:12 am Post subject: Re: Hunting Knifes

Suz, not so easy what you try to do. I think a belt sander is better than a grinder and even then the steel is easely burned (or annealed). You have to cool it real often. I've done it a few times and I cannot recommend to reshape a knive that's still hard on a grinder. Unless of course if you take your time and use an Arkansas stone or another water or oil sharpening stone, but then you have to be very patient (and I wouldn't do it on a steak knife from unknown origin).
When you anneal it and make it soft enough to be filed, then it's easier to make nice work.
But when you can make your own .270, why not a few knives or tomahawks / fighting axes?

Maybe this will help you: (at least it will give you some readings for the next evenings Smile

)

gbrannon.bizhat.com/

and somewhere on the net there are some tutorials on knifemaking, even on forging a knife on a DIY-forge with charcoal on the soil. Even a BBQ can work fine.

But 1 warning: think it over before you start because nobody stops after 1 knife. When it's not OK, you start all over. When it's OK, you want to try a different shape, different materials, make a present for a friend, ... and then you don't have any time left for reloading and shooting Smile

(but I've been told that when you live wise, you might get a second or a third life to get everything done...)

edit: I noted that this post is my number 100, so I earned my second paw trying to talk someone into a new hobby. Someone who called herself "thief", so beware you Land Rover-owners or other users of springsteel: check your springs next time before you start driving, they might have found a new future as cutting equipment Smile

Vince · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:47 am Post subject: Re: Hunting Knifes

Aloysius wrote:

edit: I noted that this post is my number 100, so I earned my second paw trying to talk someone into a new hobby. Someone who called herself "thief", so beware you Land Rover-owners or other users of springsteel: check your springs next time before you start driving, they might have found a new future as cutting equipment

Well done mate...now you don't have to hop everywhere...you can walk.

Landrover springs...never thought of that...woo hoo...jobs on. Laughing

Cheers, Vince

Suzanne · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:54 pm Post subject: Re: Hunting Knifes

Well Aloysius!! Aren't you the helpful coyote! I'm lookin over that web site, lots of interesting stuff, it seems to go on for miles! Thank you very much! Yes I do have sticky fingers sometimes. I took lessons from my grandma, she was good at pinching plants at the plant nursery. She'd get just enough plant material to get one started. She and my grandpa were very good farmers too.

Sticky
Suz

Vince · Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 10:08 pm Post subject: Re: Hunting Knifes

Well...I have started work on another knife...a bit smaller this time. Have the blade about halfway finished...just gotta work out what handle I'm putting on it...can't "see" one yet...but its a-comin'.

As you can see, this one is made from a smaller metal working file...and I reckon it will come out well when I am finished.

Cheers, Vince

ripper007 · Member Joined: Mar 05, 2006 Posts: 199 Location: Colorado

Vince, That looks good.
will be nice to see pictures when its done.

does any one know anything about the KA-BAR Becker Combat Utility

Quote::

The ultimate BK&T all-purpose utility knife was designed specifically for soldiers and adventurers requiring a sturdy but lightweight combat knife that can stand up to hard use.

Made in the USA

www.kabar.com/product/...y/Tactical

Vince · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 10:36 pm Post subject: Re: Hunting Knifes

OK...have started a new "project".

I decided to plan this one from the start rather than "feel it" as the job progressed. Hand drew the plan:

The start. Rough shaping on the grinder:

More to follow OVER.

Cheers, Vince

radar · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 1:34 am Post subject: Re: Hunting Knifes

Hi all, don't know weather or not you can get them overseas but best value for money knife in NZ is the "SVORD" brand knives made in Waiuku by Brian Baker. They were covered in the American knife magazine and came out as one of the best blades ever made. I've had mine for 5 years now it gets used all the time and still holds a very sharp blade. No steel just Indian oil stone - the old way - taught to me by my grandfather 30 odd years ago. Interestingly enough BAKER gives exactly the same sharpening advise with each blade sold.

tikkat3 · Super Member Joined: Jul 30, 2006 Posts: 800

Hello Radar,
I've 2 Svords, skinner and boner, I've never had a knife that cuts so effortlessly(is that a word). I have given up on all others and I'm about to order a few for the kitchen.
BUT my next purchase will be a 'Von Tempski' Bowie, now that will be one heck of a camp knife.
(I also have a mate that believes that blades over 5" in length are for show offs only) So I'm buying it for a laugh, at his expense, or is that my purchase?

Arron · Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 11:34 pm Post subject: Re: Hunting Knifes

Well I am of the opinion that the best all around blade length is about 5 inches. Sorry I hate METRIC!!!! Unless it is something that makes sense allready; like 9mm!!! Anyway the best thing I have found to use is Smith's cutting/honing oil! I use it on my Lansky system which I really like because it gives a correct angle of bevel, not something easily done by hand.

I am hard on KNIVES, not knifes, so I carry what works well or nothing. Gerber has a good 400series stainless that is easy to touch up same for Wenger and Victorinox. I am HUGE fan of CRKT!!!! But because I got my nerve cut on my right hand about a year ago now I cannot work the LAWKS safety very well so I do not usually carry the M16's anymore, but I LOVE 'em!!!!! I have actually switched to a Benchmade Griptilian and I have found my EveryDayCarry knife!!!! Now I just need to find it!! It is somewhere here in the apartment!!! My next outdoor field knife will be a Gerber BIG ROCK!! Plain edge not the combo edge with a serrated section. I do not carry custom knives because I just cannot afford them and again I am hard on knives!!! I totally agree with the line they are just for feeding and EGO!!! If you want a machete then carry one!!!! The only acceptable alternative is a Ghurka Kukri!!!

My dad bought a Buck Special when he was on the USS FDR back in the late sixties and still has it!!! He has worked over ALOT OF BIG SWIowa whitetails with it nad never had a problem! I have seen him use it to split nails as well!!! He needed two and only had one at the time!

File knives look like fun to make. Do not use a grinder to put a finished bevel on a knife you will burn the blade and basically you will have to start over again. Use a grinder to "shape" the blade then go to a stone or the belt sander, files work ok here to! I have put on new new tips for broken ones with a Dremel and also taken out serrations as well!!!just go slow and be smart watch the blade for the signs you are not doing it right.

Vince · Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 11:44 pm Post subject: Re: Hunting Knifes

Arron wrote:

File knives look like fun to make. Do not use a grinder to put a finished bevel on a knife you will burn the blade and basically you will have to start over again. Use a grinder to "shape" the blade then go to a stone or the belt sander, files work ok here to! I have put on new new tips for broken ones with a Dremel and also taken out serrations as well!!!just go slow and be smart watch the blade for the signs you are not doing it right.

They definitely are a lot of fun to use for knife making mate. As you suggest, I only use the grinder for basic shaping...from there on in it is hand work hand shaping and filing to bring it to the final shape and edge. The only concession I use is a cheap "Dremel" style tool to polish the face of the blade. Apart from that it is all "elbow grease".

Cheers, Vince

stovepipe · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 2:15 pm Post subject: Re: Hunting Knifes

NRA sent me a neat lil skinner when I reupped in January. Wood stocks too. Pretty comfy to carry. Works on jacka-bunny ears too.... Very Happy

Nothing super-high grade but it's an addition to the collection and I like it.

Vince · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:35 pm Post subject: Re: Hunting Knifes

Vince wrote:

Well...I have started work on another knife...a bit smaller this time. Have the blade about halfway finished...just gotta work out what handle I'm putting on it...can't "see" one yet...but its a-comin'.

As you can see, this one is made from a smaller metal working file...and I reckon it will come out well when I am finished.

Cheers, Vince

Bit of an update on this one.

I made the knife for a mate who occasionally has a look at Hunting Nut, so I haven't posted any pics of the finished knife, but his birthday is now past, so here they are.

Cheers, Vince

Vince · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:51 pm Post subject: Re: Hunting Knifes

Last ones.

I built a thumb support into the knife, just in front of the handle because I wanted the knife to have a symmetrical look to it, hence the shorter handle, and I also think it gives it a different look to your average knife.

Cheers, Vince

stovepipe · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 7:48 am Post subject: Re: Hunting Knifes

That thing turned out wicked-cool Vinny. Fringed sheath is a nice touch too.

Grand effort, I'm diggin' it.