A simple knife

[Rancid Crabtree]

I was asked by a friend to turn his shed antler into a knife handle. This knife was to be a land owner gift. The steel I bought for this project was 1/8 thick 1 1/2 wide O1 (oil quench). The wrapper even came with the recipe instructions on the label.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/hawn2.jpg

The antler he sent. It was a little long so I cut about an inch off the end but I will have a use for that as well.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw2.jpg

I can see a blank slate here. I can't leave it that way.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw3.jpg

First I removed as much of the core as I needed.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw5.jpg

Then I started working on the blade.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw7.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw8.jpg

Then I roughed out a finger guard.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw93.jpg

Time to bevel.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw94.jpg

[Rancid Crabtree]

Beveling completed. Time to heat treat. The label said to use light oil so I did.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw95.jpg

I used the burner from my range in the "Man Room" as well as a MAP gas torch to get the blade hot enough that a magnet would not stick to it.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw96.jpg

Then it hit the oil.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw97.jpg

Next, It sat in the oven for one hour at around 500F

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw98.jpg

During that time, I worked on the finger guard and the antler to get it ready to assemble.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw99.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw991.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw992.jpg

After tempering, I cleaned it up a bit.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw993.jpg

Then I assembled it.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw997.jpg

And let it sit over night.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw994.jpg

After unwrapping and a bit of buffing, it;s starting to take shape.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw9991.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw998.jpg

I filled in the blank slate as well.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw9992.jpg

Here is how I used the cut off end of the antler. I cut a slot in it to display the knife.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw9994.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw9993.jpg

[Rancid Crabtree]

Time to make the sheath. I started with 6 Oz. leather for the face.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw9995.jpg

in order not to trap the finger guard (and the knife) in the sheath. I had to build up the area behind the guard. I used foam and tape.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw9996.jpg

I soaked the leather front and back.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw9998.jpg

then started massaging the leather over the knife.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw9999.jpg

It's kind of like working with a piece of balogna. The white thing a bone folder/creaser

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw99991.jpg

When finished. I set it in the sun to dry.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw99992.jpg

When it dried and while I still had it on the form. I punched the lacing holes.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw99993.jpg

Then I cut it out and used it as a template to make the back of the sheath. For this I used 8 Oz. leather

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw99994.jpg

To keep the leather from cracking during the bend, I got it wet.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw99995.jpg

Then I glued and sewed the belt loop in place.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw99997.jpg

I then added a deer head stamp to the face.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw99996.jpg

[Rancid Crabtree]

Next, I cut the pieces for the welt out of the scrap from the face and glued them in place.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw99998.jpg

Then I changed my mind and added a 2nd row of lacing holes To give it more strength.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw99999.jpg

After stitching, I trimmed all around for an even margin.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw999991.jpg

next, I wetted the edge and used the slicker to round it off.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw999992.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw999993.jpg

I want this sheath to have a deep rich color but also wanted to see some of the tan through the die so I diluted the stain with alcohol.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw999995.jpg

Once thoroughly saturated, I let it sit for a few hours to dry.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw999996.jpg

To waterproof the leather and give it a nice sheen, I used mink oil and then warmed the sheath of the burner of the stove to make it soak in.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw999997.jpg

The knife and sheath are done.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw999998.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw999999.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw9999991.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/slaw9999992.jpg

[spike1]

Thanks for posting , very interesting.

This is one of the best posts I have ever seen.

:p :) :p :)

[Tater]

Your method for making the sheath is the same method used by the guy my Grandpa got to make the sheath for my Uncle's BSA knife sheath. He used elk skin but I think he made it the same way. That sheath is still in use on that same knife; my Uncle's BSA knife is now my hunting knife. A well made knife and sheath should last a lifetime and then some and that one looks like it will last a good long time. Very nice set.

[ChadWG]

If you get a chance, could you explain what tools you use and the process of beveling the edge? Do you just use files, a grinder or a dremel tool. Do you have any type of guide or is it free hand?

[skeet]

You do beautiful work. You have talent my friend. Could you tell us..how much time did it take from beginning to end?? Knife and sheath.