From file to knife

 Started with a file just like this one

Cut out a blank with an angle grinder

Roughed out my grind angle free hand on a bench grinder

Cut out scales of cherry

Cutting 1/8in brass rods for pins

Ready to glue scales to the knife

 Waitin for the epoxy to dry

Sanding down the scales with belt sander, rasp, and file

Rounding into shape

First coat of linseed oil

Polishing the blade with 2000 grit wet/dry paper

Shiny!

Two of my favorite knives

The knife that inspired my design, Horace Kephart's knife

Sigh, there goes my nice clean workshop. All this from just putting the scales on.

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

And better than ever!

 

 

New Project

 

Ka-Bar/Becker BK-2 "Campanion" Knife

1. I removed the Abrasive black coating on the blade, using "Klean-rite" paint stripper

     2.  Put a "convex" edge on the blade. This makes it a sturdier "chopper"

Sharpening

 

As a side note, I took the knife to Ithaca and Keith and I put it to the test, chopping and splitting wood. It worked very well!

 

   3. Picked up some Ash from Woodcraft to make new scales

 

 Cut out a rough blank with my scroll saw

And hand carved with my new Mora

 

 

Next I polished the blade until it was almost mirror bright, but it kept rusting on me, so I did a little research and came up with "forced patinas".

 

I soaked the blade in a vinegar damp rag for a few hours and the mottled the blade by smearing it with ketchup, letting it sit for 1/2 hour.

 Cleaned with soap and water, and a quick rub with #0000 steel wool and this is the end result.

 

Just about done. Handle still needs sealed.

 

 

So, Whadda ya think? Not bad for a novice!