So I made a patch knife!

[MedicMike3762]

Long story short I had the extreme fortune of visiting with my wife’s grandparents this past weekend in TN. It was a fantastic trip filled with family food and a little intro to forging! My wife’s grandpa has a forge and makes quite a lot of forged items. Anyway he let me play on the coal forge and boy was it fun! This is my first attempt at anything blacksmithing. He gave me a scrap of hay rake and this is what I came up with. I made the blade and we hardened and tempered it. Once I arrived home I finished the handle. The tang is full length through the antler and I then poorer the pewter caps. I tried to do as little grinding as possible as I really like the “forge finished” blades!

This sight has been quite amazing and watching others make things has given me the confidence to try my own! This has become a very fulfilling hobby and I owe a thanks to this form and community for the inspiration and encouragement!

Please let me know what y’all think!

 

[brushblind]

Very nice!

 

[Banjoman]

 

[TDM]

Very, very nice! Your well on your way!

 

[Justin.44]

Looks good!

 

[oldwood]

Wonderful tool and keepsake you made.

 

[2 shots]

 

[muley53]

That is a great job, good to hand and handy size!

 

[Brokennock]

Very, very nice. Ambitious 1st attempt with those poured caps and file work. I believe you also had a pretty amazing 1st horn.....
What do you do for work? I feel like there is something in your background that has layed the foundation for these "1st" attempt successes.

 

[Sir Boniface Harrison]

That's very impressive by any standards, let alone a first go! I can only dream of having the gear or access to a forge to make stuff like that.

 

[Thingamajiggy]

Looks like a good knife, nice work.

 

[Colonial Boy]

I like it.

 

[Cliffdweller]

Very cool I love the look of it!!!

 

[Rifleman1776]

Mighty fine, especially for a first time attempt.

 

[MedicMike3762]

Very, very nice. Ambitious 1st attempt with those poured caps and file work. I believe you also had a pretty amazing 1st horn.....
What do you do for work? I feel like there is something in your background that has layed the foundation for these "1st" attempt successes.

Thank you sir! My day job, I’m just a lowly paramedic. I have always been decent at “art” i do have a minor in studio art for whatever that’s worth. I have not picked up charcoal and paper in quite some time however. These small projects give me a lot of satisfaction. I also love trying new things and I’m trying to get as much experience making things as possible before I attempt a “scratch build” on a rifle, this site has given me much confidence and inspiration for these attempts. I’ve grown up my entire life building and working with my dad who has no doubt forgotten more than I will ever know! I always ask him how he know so much, his reply is always the same “I’ve F’d a lot of S up!” Another thing he has always told me when we are getting ready to undertake a big project, I’ll ask will we be able to do this? His answer again is always the same, “Ain’t no hill for a stepper.” I guess I’m just trying to say between this forum and my small art degree and my old man it’s given me some small ability to create these small projects! Hopefully soon I’ll work up the minerals to build a gun from a plank!!! Thank you again for the kind words!

 

[Terrier]

if the paramedic gig ever fails you, you have a future…

 

[Wheelman]

No such thing as a lowly paramedic. Serving others is the highest calling.

Nice knife!

 

[Salty Cracker]

Very nice

 

[Tn poor boy]

Very nice little knife. BUT you also made fond memories that you will never forget. That great

 

[mtfishn]

Good Job...like the size for a patch knife! Sooooo does it hold an edge? I'm sure it does.