A new challenge in knife making

[Rancid Crabtree]

What a great way to start out the year........................ Taking on a new challenge.

I saw a knife made by another knife maker that impressed me so much that I thought I would try my hand at carving a bit of detail into the blade of one of my own. I have done filing on the back edge of knives but this goes way beyond that.

The blade is O1 flat ground annealed. Here are a few images along the way. I am trying to make vines.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines1.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines2.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines3.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines4.jpg

Files and chisels help remove the material from the opening. It's pretty slow going.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines5.jpg

I use a Dremmel tool were ever I can.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines6.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines7.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines8.jpg

I have it pre-beveled but not completly and will finish the bevel after I heat treat the blade.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines9.jpg

I used a chisel to add texture to the vines and then applied gun bluing to color just the vines.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines91.jpg

As I type this, The blade is sitting in the oven taking a temper after I heat treated it. I am thinking of using Cocobolo wood for the scales.

[Swift]

Nice ! How much does that scroll work affect the blade strength?

[Rancid Crabtree]

I wish I could give you a good answer. The blank is an 1/8 of an inch thick. It is still pleny strong.

I made a set of Cocobolo Scales and then gave them 3 coats of super glue as a finish before epoxying them to the blade. Once I trim down the pins, I will give them one more coat of super glue.

I apply the super glue with my finger tip. You have to move fast and keep moving or you and the wood become one.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines92.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines93.jpg

[GoodOlBoy]

looks outstanding so far, can't wait to see how this one comes out.

GoodOlBoy

[Rancid Crabtree]

I finished the knife last night and took some pictures but struggled with the lighting. The gun bluing does not photograph well.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines96.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines97.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines98.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines95.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/vines99.jpg

This was a real challenge and one I don't see me tackling again any time soon but it's good to have it in the bag of tricks.

[Swift]

That turned out real good!

[GoodOlBoy]

That really is an outstanding looking blade!

What metal did you use and what temp did you heat treat the blade at?

GoodOlBoy

[Rancid Crabtree]

The metal is O1 tool steel and is heated until non-magnetic and then plunged into 130F veg oil and then moved to a pre-heated 400F oven for 1 hour. It's then quenched in tap water and back to the oven got another hour.

[GoodOlBoy]

nice. Should hold up well I would think.

GoodOlBoy

[longdistanceoperator]

I made a set of Cocobolo Scales and then gave them 3 coats of super glue

Hello Rancid, why would you seal up cocobolo ? it is probably the 2nd hardest wood in the entire world... and its appearance is enhanced by use
and oils over time..... it is routinely used as top end handles on quality firearms and needs no other enhancment or treatments.. and it looks just fine after years of use on a firearm ... just curious ?