My First Knife Making Class

[crashdive123]

Had the great fortune of hanging out with a group of knife makers today. First up, we set up a Grizzly 2 x 72 grinder in one guys garage. One of the veterans took a piece of D2 steel, profiled a hunting knife and did the hollow grind on it…….all in a matter of 5 minutes. I guess with a last name of Bowie (yes, he is related) it’s in the blood. Then on to one of the guy’s knife shop. Kind of a unique set-up.

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There is stuff everywhere that can be used. Saw blades – a gator skin being dried – a couple of water buffalo hides drying – some rattle snake skins drying – bones and antlers of all kinds piled up.

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[crashdive123]

After cutting a chunk of metal from an old sawmill blade, they had me shape a blade on the grinder, and then showed me how to do a hollow grind. They did one side, I did the other. My side needed to be cleaned up a little, but man – what a difference proper tools make.

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I left with some bones, pieces of steel, a Ryobi cutoff saw (needs a little work) and an invitation to return. These guys are fantastic! I really can’t say enough about them. I ended up bringing home a knife that one of the guys made from an old sawmill blade that was badly pitted. I think he do pretty good with it.

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[rebel]

I like the pitted blade look!

[rebel]

Just wondering about the semi trailer set-up...in case of a fire, I hope there is another way out other than the back.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

If they have any more to give away like that throw my name in the hat!!!! That is Gorgeous!!! You lucky Dog you!! I am Sooooooo jealous!!(going to get a 5 gal. bucket for the drool)

[crashdive123]

@ Rebel - one way in and out.

@ Poco - The knife wasn't a give away - I bought it. Kind of wanted to say thanks for all the help.

[gryffynklm]

Crash, The blade looks good so far. I like the brass on the finished one.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Crash I'm Still drooling!!! I Wonder what else they might have for sale?

[Eu_citzen]

Nice, I remember doing my own knife several years ago.
Shame I don't have the pics any more, it lies in the other side of the country at my parents place.

[panch0]

Nice Crash! I bet you had a blast! I am drooling over all that handle material he's got there. Thats alot of money sitting there.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

In the bottom of the picture with all the bone handle material is that Armadillo?? Can you use that for a Handle??

[crashdive123]

Panch0 - he had over 20 drawers just like it, plus an entire drawer of armadillo hide that he uses on sheaths - maybe 100 pieces in that drawer alone. He has some machine that he stabilizes his scales (wood, bone, whatever) in. He draws a vacuum in it with the material in there, introduces the dye he's using and then pressurizes it to 3500 psi. He's made some pretty cool stuff.

[crashdive123]

In the bottom of the picture with all the bone handle material is that Armadillo?? Can you use that for a Handle??

Yep. Armadillo tail. He's got a lot of armadillo hide as well (see previous post).

[canid]

that is beautiful crash.

it sounds like you found just the right people to share your knifemaking adventures with.

[rebel]

Armadillos. MMmmmm. During WWII the U.S. thought the Germans had infected the armadillos with leprosy. http://svm369.vetmed.lsu.edu/images/...%20Leprosy.pdf
Just sayin'....

[finallyME]

I love the look of pitted blades. Do you know how to make it pit like that? I always thought they just hammered it that rough. I wish I could have gone with you. I am sure you learned a ton.

[canid]

tannins from fresh hardwood bark like to pit steel. i mentioned my fiendish plan to try and utilize this effect in another thread.

[crashdive123]

This particular blade was pitted from deep rust. It was an old sawmill blade.

[panch0]

I love the look of pitted blades. Do you know how to make it pit like that? I always thought they just hammered it that rough. I wish I could have gone with you. I am sure you learned a ton.

Sometimes the hammer marks are left to add a rustic look.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

I love the look of pitted blades. Do you know how to make it pit like that? I always thought they just hammered it that rough. I wish I could have gone with you. I am sure you learned a ton.

Dip the blade in something very acidic such as phosphoric acid, maybe even vinegar. Coat with saltwater and wait. When pitted sand-cold blue-sand and you'll have the look. Oh and it must be carbon steel. Or, just start with a rusty peice of steel, just say'in!