Yud makes knives

yud · **on:** August 30, 2016, 05:32:29 AM

So about two weeks ago I got it in my head that it was time to try and make a knife. When it comes to hand forging something knives have a high degree of difficulty, in part due to the shape and because the extra steps (mainly heat treating).

So after a fair amount of debate I got a 2"x18"x3/16" bar of 1095 from the SMKW, odd with shipping they had the best price. Once it came I cut a piece off with an angel so the long side was 6" and the short was 4" then got to work with my hammer. First drawing it out so it was long with a spike, to be made into a handle.

This is at the end of day one with what the material started out as.

End of day one, I had planned on one more heat (to define where the blade ended) after taking the picture above, but then all the visitors we had came into the shop at once and so I ended up doing more work then planned.

Second day I finished up the shape, making the handle and thinking out the edge. Came out with a few problems, the fixable problem was the hook that acts as a guard poked everyone's middle finger, the angle was adjusted to fix the problem. The blade problems were left. The taper going to the edge is uneven on the two sides, one is a smooth wedge from spine to edge, the other is flat along the spine. The curve also got out of hand, and by the time a noticed it was too late to straighten, also I thought it looked good. The problem was that I used my ball peen which spreads material out in all directions (you can see the problem) and worked on the all ready shaped side, the proper thing to do was use the cross peen (which has a narrow peen (backside of the hammer) the full width of the hammer head) which moves material forwards and back also work on the straight side that way the natural curve moves the point towards the centerline of the knife.

Over the weekend I cleaned up the blade with a file and sandpaper, also straightened the edge, it had slight wave to it. Left it with a sort of Dalmatian look due to some deep hammer marks.

Back at work I did the heat treat, did the quench I used motor oil donated by the friend at work. Managed to do it without fire or hurting anyone. Tempered the blade in the oven at home then worked on re-cleaning blade and sharpening.

I used it to make dinner chopping onions and Brussels sprouts, no where near the best knife I've used but it worked.

Crow · **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2016, 06:06:13 AM

Nice utility knife. I quite like that curved blade.

My father forged one same style for my wife recently. He made a needle to go with it.

Aloha · **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2016, 07:16:56 AM

Pretty cool. I bet that sucker could throw some wicked sparks from a ferro or flint.

Sparky415 · **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2016, 09:52:58 AM

That looks great Yud and loving the glimpses of your workshop

jerseydevil · **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2016, 01:57:57 PM

Nice!

ducttapetech · **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2016, 02:00:37 PM

That is just awesome! Have you tried making any steel strikers?

firiki · **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2016, 02:05:44 PM

Cool and keep practising!

SteveC · **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2016, 02:06:11 PM

Nice job

yud · **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2016, 05:17:35 PM

Quote from: ducttapetech on August 30, 2016, 02:00:37 PM

That is just awesome! Have you tried making any steel strikers?

No I haven't tried. Looking at it I need some hi carbon steel in round or square stock, trying to draw down the stuff I have would be a major pain.

Thanks everyone.

Right now I am trying to finish my second knife, the ram horn handle is giving me a fight (lucky we have ferrier's rasp at work that should show it who's boss).

sLaughterMed · **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2016, 05:28:03 PM

Cool stuff Yud. I'm super jealous of your job

Poncho65 · **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2016, 03:25:49 AM

Very cool Yud

I really like how the handle curves like that as well

yud · **Reply #11 on:** September 02, 2016, 03:19:54 AM

So I finished the second one, with some lovely ram horn scales.

Thanks Poncho and Slaughter,

Poncho65 · **Reply #12 on:** September 02, 2016, 05:10:48 AM

Very cool Yud

yud · **Reply #13 on:** September 27, 2016, 03:10:35 AM

My latest knife. The steel is 1084 and bocote handle (which feels perfect in the hand). Also Ordinance Sergeant stripes for the sheath because why not.

Poncho65 · **Reply #14 on:** September 27, 2016, 04:57:41 AM

Quote from: yud on September 27, 2016, 03:10:35 AM

My latest knife. The steel is 1084 and bocote handle (which feels perfect in the hand). Also Ordinance Sergeant stripes for the sheath because why not.

Sparky415 · **Reply #15 on:** September 27, 2016, 07:30:15 AM

Nice work Yud and the Bocote looks really good

yud · **Reply #16 on:** September 27, 2016, 02:18:22 PM

Thank you both, and falling in love with working with bocote. The sawdust has such a nice spiced smell to it.

yud · **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2017, 03:51:19 AM

I think I might finally be getting it down. 1084 blade, mild steel guard with forged finish, elk antler handle.

If anyone is interested, the way I finished the guard was grinding it smooth, then using a campfire to get it red hot then quenched in canola oil. The result is a nice smooth part with a rich dark color.

sLaughterMed · **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2017, 10:21:32 PM

Looks nice Yud!

ducttapetech · **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2017, 01:58:14 AM

Wow! Nice work Yud.

SteveC · **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2017, 05:47:16 AM

Nice

yud · **Reply #21 on:** February 03, 2017, 12:42:19 AM

Thank you

jlwatso1 · **Reply #22 on:** February 09, 2017, 05:34:11 AM

Nice work!

I have been adding some handles to some finished blades. I might try have to try forging some eventually. I got some antlers from a buddy at work for the handles. I also have been trying my hand at some leatherwork for sheaths. Hears my second one I made for my brother's Christmas present.

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