Cold Steel Conversion

[BillinOregon]

Todd: Love your hammer work!
Wick: The melting salt tip is a very good one. Thanks.

 

[fatboy]

I have used Finishing nails not sure nail size but the were 1/8" dia I usually use epoxy and put my handle on and run pin's in handle and once set up good I peen the them over brass or copper work nice trim them short enough and work at spreading them out I have a small ball peen almost like a chasing hammer that I use. I do miss once and awhile and may have to to do some sanding or wet it to raise the grain and sand to get dents out

 

[colmoultrie]

Deutsch,

Before you harden that knife, something you might want to think about, since I know you're doing a F&I impression. Many common (don't know enough myself to say most or all) 18th century knives were half tang, with wooden handles.

Also, don't forget to drill holes for pins before you harden the tang. I'm not a smith, so i'm no expert, but I believe it's easier to drill first, then harden.

Looks good so far!

 

[LRB]

Full tanged blades were not rare, but they cost more. Many trade, or imported knives had full tangs, but most common scalpers were half tanged.

 

[colmoultrie]

Thanks for the info, Wick! Where can I find more pictures and info on the full-tang knives?

 

[paulvallandigham]

You can drill hardened Tangs by heating the tang up with a torch to RED color and drilling the tang while its hot, using ordinary drill bits. The heat makes the tang so soft its like drilling soft pine wood. You might want to draft SWMBO to hold the propane torch while you use both hands to control the drill and bit. A wet rag slapped onto the tang after the hole is drilled, and the torch withdrawn restores the hardness to the tang, altho it doesn't make the tang brittle, in my experience.

Clamp the blade in a bench vise to hold the blade while you heat the tang, and drill the holes.The jaws should be set where the tang and the blade meet. The steel jaws of the vise will serve as a Heat Sink. This protects the blade from BOTH softening, and discoloring. If you have aluminum, brass, or copper " Soft Jaws" that you use over the steel jaws, these metals conduct the heat away from the blade even faster than steel does, so leave the "soft jaws" on the vise to grip the blade. The soft jaws insure that you don't mar the blade while doing this work.

I agree that drilling the holes for the pins in the tang before you do the hardening and tempering processes is the SMART thing to do. However, Life doesn't always work out quite the way we plan :shocked2: :blah: :rotf: :idunno: :surrender: sometimes.

If you have to drill another hole, and only figure that out AFTER you have hardened the blade and tempered it, All is NOT LOST. And, this way, you don't even have to think about buying some expensive, Carbide-tipped drill bit to drill one Stinking HOLE! :cursing: :haha: :grin: :v :thumbsup:

Please don't ask how I learned this piece of wisdom. Thank you, kindly. :bow: :wink:

 

[BigDeutscher]

Thanks
The blade has air tempered and I was going to make it soft again to drill
But with that little tid bit I will heat and drill as suggested
Deutsch

 

[jsn]

Very nice work!

 

[LRB]

The "Fur Trade Cutlery Sketchbook" by Hanson has a few. The old Lanouvelle/France site had a few relic examples. These examples are very thin in the blade and tangs.

 

[BigDeutscher]

Just cut out and pinned the scales,Got to walk away for awhile and think on it.
Dont want to mess up all my hard work.
This morning I picked up some Canola oil warmed it on my fancy dancy hot plate then quenched it ,Per Wick then in to the oven at 450 for 1/2 hour.Came home from work and oven at 450 again for around 45 min.Thanks Wick and that Fella at Freek Forge for the help its great to have a group of guys that are willin and able to help.
Deutsch

 

[fatboy]

looking good :thumbsup:

 

[BigDeutscher]

Well guys thats it ,all finished .Now to make a sheath.Does anyone know where I cand find Wicks instructions on how to make one?
Hope you all like this knife I had fun makeing it!!
Deutsch

 

[gordy]

Nice looking work, and some great information from all who posted. They say "can,t teach an old dog new tricks" well I picked up some great tips from this thread and will soon be 74. ( now if I can remember them ?????) THANKS
:thumbsup: :hatsoff:

 

[LRB]

Here you are Big Duetscher. http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/24616/t/MAKING-A-CENTER-SEAM-SHEATH.html

 

[Macon Due]

Hey B.D.
That turned out really nice! Also.....good plan on 'Mr. Wick's' sheath they are real nice too.
Macon

 

[BigDeutscher]

I always wondered how you did that!
With instructions that good ....I can do it too
Thanks
Deutsch