'Practice Steel' can be used

[Ray Rogers]

For you Newbies wanting to practice grinding steel but without the expense of real blade steel you might give this a try. We have discussed using mild steel from the local hardware store for grinding practice in various threads before, nothing new there. But, after you have done your practice there's not much that can be done with the phony blade.

Or, is there?

I needed a decoration for a log cabin so I bought a chunk of mild steel at the hardware store and ground a blade. A couple of chunks of cheap brass and a piece of caribou antler that had laid around for years finished the job.




The blade is 11" long and 3/8th" thick. The 'knife' weighs 2.25 pounds, very heavy. My point is, if you grind a blade you like then why not practice making a guard and handle for it too? Then, when you do make a real blade the chances are very good that you won't mess up on the rest of it ....

[Bob Sigmon]

Ray,

A great idea. It really take the practice to the max.

But, where is your practice filework???

Bob Sigmon

[Ray Rogers]

Good point, Bob. I had thought about it but, as this was supposed to look like something that might have been found laying around out here, I decided it wasn't appropriate on this 'knife'. We find old horse shoes, pitch forks, wood stoves, cook ware, dynamite boxes, mining equipment, farm implements, animal skulls etc in the old cabins and mountain sides in this area and most everything gets used as a decoration or knick knack. I know that nobody ever really carried a knife like this, but I wanted to seem like it might be another piece of authentic recovered junk ....

[Bob Sigmon]

Ray,
Truly, it is perfect! I just couldn't help myself. I mean everything that I've seen of yours is perfect. This was the first chance that I had to pick on you!

Have a great day,

Bob Sigmon