Made a knife.

[Dean2]

A simple grind of an old file. I hope to fix it in my flintlock bag.
I have no idea how good an edge it will hold but it did not feel like the hardest steel across the stones!

I hope it makes a good small game knife.

B.

Let me say, nice work. You turned out a nicely shaped and very good looking small knife, ideal for general duty or patch cutting. Good job and keep posting your finished or in progress projects. Always good to see someone else's work.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Thanks.

No shouting Sir just emphasis.

The tang was upper most in a vice when curled. The semi polished blade showed no colouration prior a quick dip in water. I worked quick.

B.

 

[M. De Land]

I do agree about it needing to have the temper drawn at the very least for the best performance and longevity.
In looking it over it appears the first half of the handle section, from the curl forward has been annealed from the coloration difference.
This in itself will be a non issue in this handle-less blade configuration as far as strength.
In my opinion a knife tang should have the same temper draw as the blade, which if done correctly will have no tendency to break off especially when supported by handle strength.
File tangs are made dead soft purposely because they are small and intended to be driven into wood or plastic handles. They would easily be snapped off as well if only temper drawn instead of annealed because of their size.

 

[LRB]

Not directly related to the topic, but an interesting FYI on flexibility in steel. A given steel will only flex to a certain given degree, regardless of whether it is max hard or dead soft, before it breaks or bends. Flexibility is totally dependent on geometry. More simply put, the failure point is the same in either hard or soft steel. Failure being defined as a bend rather than returning straight, or breakage.
Strength in steel is defined by it's resistance to deformation, therefore fully hardened is it's strongest condition, even if very brittle. I know that doesn't sound right, but that's how it is defined in metallurgy and industry. The term strength, is often mistakenly used to describe toughness or flexibility in a steel. Toughness and hardness is governed by the steel's chemistry and heat treat. Flexibility by cross sectional geometry.

 

[MSW]

I like it!

:grin:

 

[M. De Land]

Good info Wick, I can see the truth in that statement when thought about.

 

[Britsmoothy]

I used it today on game, it never snapped or bent and still has a sharp edge :hatsoff:

B :wink:

 

[Wes/Tex]

I used it today on game, it never snapped or bent and still has a sharp edge :hatsoff:

B :wink:

Can't ask for more! :thumbsup:

 

[M. De Land]

Good, if your happy that is all that is needed!
The discussion that followed in your post wasn't intended as a put down to you or the knife but rather an impetus or sedgway for learning how to improve on blade quality.
I learned from it and suspect other did as well.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Good, if your happy that is all that is needed!
The discussion that followed in your post wasn't intended as a put down to you or the knife but rather an impetus or sedgway for learning how to improve on blade quality.
I learned from it and suspect other did as well.

I know, it was good information. I was only teasing :thumbsup:

B.