I bit off a huge chunk...

[ricky_arthur]

Well, I was looking at the 2012 Bowie contest and just knew I would have to give one a try. I have done mostly smaller knives and this one, although not big by Bowie standards (probably not even medium) is by far the largest I have attempted. I decided to do it with a leaf spring so I wouldn't waste steel if I bit off more than I could handle (no pun intended). And also because it was free. So Here it is ready to be cut out. The tang is longer than necessary and will be cut back when I decide what to do for a handle. It is just over 1/4 inch thick and just over 12 inches long. With the Blade a little under 7 inches.



Cut out and cleaned up a little.



and rough grind nearly complete. I had to remove the rest from my sander and do it all freehand because of the step I put on the spine.



I will swedge the front half and file the rest of the spine tomorrow.

Any criticism or suggestions are welcome.

[Imakethings]

That is a beautiful start, what are your plans for the hand guard, etc?

[ricky_arthur]

Originally Posted by Imakethings

That is a beautiful start, what are your plans for the hand guard, etc?

That is a good question. When I first designed this knife it was a full tang knife. Then I realized that I don't know how to make or put on a tang for a full tang knife like this. I thought about it for a while and decided I would put the full tang on hold while I did some research and just make it a hidden tang knife. Of which I have made a couple. That is a long way around to say that I am going to forge something from the same steel. (which will be new to me as well, but at least I "think"I can do it ) I have an idea in my head but I wouldn't be able to describe it very well.


Here is a Morning update. I started the swedge, It is very near done. And also Started filework. I was all wrapped up in it when I realized I was late for work. So here it is so far.






I plan on trying a Hammon line on this one (My first attempt at that too )

[hondo76]

That is beautiful so far!

[trav]

Super nice on the file work

[Ray Rogers]

That is a good start but I'd caution you about trying to do too many 'firsts' on the same knife. All that does is raise the chances that something will go wrong and you'll lose all that work. For instance, you don't really know for sure that steel is capable of showing a hamon or that your intended technique for creating the hamon won't result in a cracked blade with that particular steel whatever it may be.

Stick tangs are actually pretty simple but it's real easy to build the first one or two with perfectly good looking handles that are badly aligned with the blade. Not trying to rain on your parade but you do have a good start there and I don't want to see you lose it by over extending yourself ........

[ricky_arthur]

Thanks Ray. Good point. I tried a hammon on a different knife today to see how it went. It is in the oven Tempering right now.

I need some input here. I Made this guard from the same spring. I left the pits in it and wanted some input on if anyone has an opinion on it. Go? Or NO Go?

[ricky_arthur]

Well when I drilled and put the tang on it was way too big. I cut it down and bent it a little more, BUt I haven't decided if I will use it yet.

On another note, I tried a hammon on a knife that I heat treated today. It was 1095, which I hear is more difficult to get a good hammon, but until I get something else that is what I had available to use. The only things I have available for acid is Vinegar and Lemons. So I'm sitting here at my desk at work, squeezing lemon juice on the blade that I quickly polished to 1500 grit on one side just to see if I got any results.

Here it is after about 10 minutes.



I think it will work, But is there something I can buy at the local (small town) hardware store that will work better for bringing out the hammon?

[ricky_arthur]

It is finished, except for sharpening and a sheath.





What do you think? Suggestions? Improvements?

[Hunter280man]

Looks like a beauty to me. I like the finger guard the best.....to me the guard is the tuffy. Make it right and the blade becomes art.....mess it up and its just another knife. Good job!

[ricky_arthur]

Well, I finished it, polished it and sharpened it. Then made a Kydex sheath and Delivered it to it's new owner. (I need to learn how to work with leather)

I was worried about whether he would like it or think it was worth the money he paid. Which was a pretty good sum for a newbie knife maker to ask. The first thing he said when I handed it to him was...

"I owe you more Money!"

It made me feel good. Then about half hour later he called and asked if he could order another for his dad. I felt even better cause I knew he had meant what he said.

Here it is...It was a little hard to let go of.

[Ray Rogers]

Dang Ricky! That did come out nice! And you know I always like those single pin handles ...

[metal99]

Very nice Ricky! Keep it up man

[Kevster]

Very nice Ricky!

[Bowman]

You're making some serious progress finishing a knife like that so well. Very nice.