My first knife

[AeroncaTAL]

Ok,
Here are a couple pics of my first knife made from scratch, from an old file. It's also my first posting of pics.

I kinda used this as a learning experience, trying various techniques in the making. The blade was mostly ground down on my bench grinder, taking it slow with frequent quenching in water to keep it cool. I then decided to try some forging, so I used my Oxy/Acet torch to heat, and beat it on an anvil. The handle is some walnut cut from an old piano leg, the pins are nails. I departed from PCness by using Gorilla Glue to really hold it together (forgive me!). I blued the blade with Perma Blue. The handle is stained with some walnut stain I had laying around and finished with True Oil. The scabbard is made from old deer hide, hide my Dad had tanned when I was a kid (a long time ago). All in all I had fun with this. I'll probably put it with my Possible Bag when I get to that stage.
Scott

 

[Nifeman]

Nothing wrong with that Scott :thumbsup: ...Bud

 

[shmrck1]

Scott,
I think it looks great! Just wondering
with the treatment you gave it how does it hold
an edge? You don't give any dimensions, but it looks like it would make a nice neck/patch
knife.IMO
snake-eyes :applause: :hatsoff:

 

[chipper]

Nice looking knife. I bet it's a keeper too.

Sounds like you have the fever bad. Keep doing the stuff you mentioned in your posting above until the fever passes.

I've never made a knife from a file yet. I guess I'll have to give it a try. I'm in the make knives from old Machette blades stage of development. Boy Machette blades like to crack. I guess it's from bad forging and alot of stress on the blade from banging on wood.

Good luck on your next knife.

Regards

 

[Stumpkiller]

Looks like a good, practical knife.

"41 Aeronca"?

A 1941 L-3 perhaps?

 

[AeroncaTAL]

Scott,
I think it looks great! Just wondering
with the treatment you gave it how does it hold
an edge? You don't give any dimensions, but it looks like it would make a nice neck/patch
knife.IMO
snake-eyes :applause: :hatsoff:

Snake-eyes,
It was pretty late when I posted last night. The knife is 8 inches overall, with the blade 4 inches. I drew it back somewhat so it would not be brittle, but I have not really used it yet so I do not know how well it will keep an edge. If I need to, I can always try heating the edge and quenching it. My original intent was to make a patch knife to go along with my GPR I'm building. The shape of the knife is (very) loosly patterned on a picture of a Green River knife I saw in a book.
Scott

 

[AeroncaTAL]

Sounds like you have the fever bad. Keep doing the stuff you mentioned in your posting above until the fever passes.

Loyd,
I think you're right there. I have another old worn out file out in the garage, a 17 inch bastard file a quarter inch thick. Been wondering what I can make from that bad boy...

 

[AeroncaTAL]

Close, a 1941 65TAL "Defender"

The L-3 was developed from the Defender. If you want to talk planes, shoot me an e-mail, be glad to hangar fly.
Scott

 

[Brasilikilt]

Hey 41

I really like the slight curve you have with the handle.......looks as though it will fit the palm nicely!
Btw,where in Orygun do you live? I'm in SE Portland

Keep on making knives and they will get better and better
Ever think about forging blades from steel cable?

 

[AeroncaTAL]

Hey 41

I really like the slight curve you have with the handle.......looks as though it will fit the palm nicely!
Btw,where in Orygun do you live? I'm in SE Portland

Keep on making knives and they will get better and better
Ever think about forging blades from steel cable?

I'm only 40 miles or so away, down in Keizer. Yah, I put the curve in for that very reason, thinking it might help the grip for whittling or cutting patches. I haven't done much with forging yet. I'm a member of the Willow Creek Railroad Club at the Powerland Museum in Brooks. Thought I might talk with the blacksmith group there. The Steam up is going on this weekend and I will be at Willow Creek tomorrow. If you're down that way, stop by. I'll bring the knife.
Scott Morrison

 

[BB61]

Very very nice.

 

[anvil1231]

Nice knife Scott,I have made a few out of files and have found that once I have drawn it back I don't have to go back and temper and they always have held a good edge. Keep up the good work. anvil