Yeah, it looks like it might be one of "Those" builds. 
Let me know....
Spring has sprung. Get out and shoot your Henry
A New Build (Along)
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BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 5807
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
A New Build (Along)
I have started a new build, and it may be a double header, a tanto and a skinner. If there is an interest, I'll make it a build along, and I'll post the pics as I go as I have done before. If not, I'll just post the pics of the completed knife (Knives?) when I'm done. You know me, I'll post them all, screw ups too. It's already started, the first set of scales for the Tanto, became scales for the skinner when their wasn't enough space on the blank for two panels. Yeah, it looks like it might be one of "Those" builds.
Let me know....
Yeah, it looks like it might be one of "Those" builds. Let me know....
1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
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BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 5807
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: A New Build (Along)
I'll download the first few pics later this evening.
1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
-
BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 5807
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: A New Build (Along)
I buy the blade blanks from various sources. I have too many issues to set up a forge and beat the metal into blanks. I thought about it, but with all the arthritis, and surgeries... I'm good buying the blanks. I am quick to tell folks that I buy them. There is still a lot you can do to personalize the knife from that point forward. These knives will be quick and dirty, but I'll make the next ones more complicated.
To start, I open the drawer with all the wood I have set aside for possible blanks and choose something to fit the blank I have chosen. For this Tanto Blank I have chosen this nice piece of Spalted Maple.
I lay out the blank on the maple to insure the grain will run the way I want it too, then trace it. I mark which side the blank will be for. I lay out the other side and mark it as well. I check and recheck. You only get one shot at cutting. Setting up the bandsaw, I make the cuts, it's close, the layout was very crowded. You always try to leave extra, and don't try and get perfect shapes to start. You can trim up before glue up if you like.
As I test fitted the blanks, I realized that they would be TOO close and I would not have the room to shape without risking losing the edge and exposing the metal of the blank. Back to the drawer. I chose another blank for the Tanto and set the Maple aside for now. I found a nice cocobolo piece and laid out the Tanto. Looks good.
*** Look at the Tanto blank in the first picture, and the blank in the third picture. Note the finger guard shape. I didn't like the squared off bottom of that guard, and took it to the 1" belt sander. Went thru the 60, 80, and 120 grit belts and rounded that edge... much smoother flow, but still will anchor the middle finger on the grip.
This will be a close fit but I'll be careful. Note the grain on the layout. It should look nice when the shaping is done. A peek in the drawer with knife blanks, and Hmmm... I think I can use one of the halves of the maple on the skinner blank and bookmatch it. We'll find out tomorrow. I have been at this for nearly two hours and that's my shop time limit.
Most of this process can be done from the Wheelchair, but I had to spend most of today waiting on the phone repair tech, so the day was shot before I got started. Watch this space... tomorrow we'll hope for progress.
If anyone has questions or comments during the process, please feel free to jump in. I am still learning, and am a hobbyist at this. I don't claim to know it all. I can certainly share what I know but welcome tips.
I am quick to tell folks that I buy them. There is still a lot you can do to personalize the knife from that point forward. These knives will be quick and dirty, but I'll make the next ones more complicated.To start, I open the drawer with all the wood I have set aside for possible blanks and choose something to fit the blank I have chosen. For this Tanto Blank I have chosen this nice piece of Spalted Maple.
I lay out the blank on the maple to insure the grain will run the way I want it too, then trace it. I mark which side the blank will be for. I lay out the other side and mark it as well. I check and recheck. You only get one shot at cutting. Setting up the bandsaw, I make the cuts, it's close, the layout was very crowded. You always try to leave extra, and don't try and get perfect shapes to start. You can trim up before glue up if you like.
As I test fitted the blanks, I realized that they would be TOO close and I would not have the room to shape without risking losing the edge and exposing the metal of the blank. Back to the drawer. I chose another blank for the Tanto and set the Maple aside for now. I found a nice cocobolo piece and laid out the Tanto. Looks good.
*** Look at the Tanto blank in the first picture, and the blank in the third picture. Note the finger guard shape. I didn't like the squared off bottom of that guard, and took it to the 1" belt sander. Went thru the 60, 80, and 120 grit belts and rounded that edge... much smoother flow, but still will anchor the middle finger on the grip.
This will be a close fit but I'll be careful. Note the grain on the layout. It should look nice when the shaping is done. A peek in the drawer with knife blanks, and Hmmm... I think I can use one of the halves of the maple on the skinner blank and bookmatch it. We'll find out tomorrow. I have been at this for nearly two hours and that's my shop time limit.
Most of this process can be done from the Wheelchair, but I had to spend most of today waiting on the phone repair tech, so the day was shot before I got started. Watch this space... tomorrow we'll hope for progress.
If anyone has questions or comments during the process, please feel free to jump in. I am still learning, and am a hobbyist at this. I don't claim to know it all. I can certainly share what I know but welcome tips.
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1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
-
BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 5807
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: A New Build (Along)
I thought before I posted the morning's work, I'd post the working checklist I use so y'all can follow along. The checklists I use for various things help me stay on track... with a poor short term memory, I try and "Remember" to follow the dang thing.
I use them for all sorts of things and they keep me in line. I have one especially for trips. Packing and one for just prior to leaving the house.
Then one for the return. You'd be surprised at the little things you might forget that would bite you in the butt. How many times have you heard this phrase?
"I thought YOU did!"
I use them for all sorts of things and they keep me in line. I have one especially for trips. Packing and one for just prior to leaving the house.
Then one for the return. You'd be surprised at the little things you might forget that would bite you in the butt. How many times have you heard this phrase?
"I thought YOU did!"
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1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
-
BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 5807
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: A New Build (Along)
So, the first step this morning was to lay out the scales for the Skinner using the failed scales for the Tanto. I really like the looks of the spalted maple for scales, though some don't. I played with the design, trying to decide how it was going to go, then took my time and used my circle template to finish the ends. I came up with this...
Went back to the Cocobolo and went over the layout again, paying careful attention to the grain pattern.
Went back to the Cocobolo and went over the layout again, paying careful attention to the grain pattern.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
-
BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 5807
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: A New Build (Along)
So, off to the bandsaw. Set the height, hook up the dust collection and position the lighting... and we are ready to cut.
Since the scales are pretty small, and I don't want to cut too close, I'll make the rough cuts on the saw and do the final shaping on the sanders. To insure I can make the tight turns I start with relief cuts. Once the initial shape of the maple scales has been cut out, I raise the saw and stand the maple on it's backbone. I had measured the thickness, at 16 mm. I marked a reference line down the middle at 8mm and bookmatched the maple scales. Now I had two the same shape and thickness.
I take my time and don't try and get too tight or make things pretty at this point. Final shaping will take place later. We want a general shape to help get the scales positioned on the blade blanks. Better to be well oversized and shape down to the blank. You can't put wood back. (Okay, you can, but it sucks.)
The cocobolo piece was thin and wide so I cut the same shape out twice. Both came out beautifully. I don't think I messed these up. (Yet.)
Watch this space, I still have plenty to do, so plenty of chances.
Since the scales are pretty small, and I don't want to cut too close, I'll make the rough cuts on the saw and do the final shaping on the sanders. To insure I can make the tight turns I start with relief cuts. Once the initial shape of the maple scales has been cut out, I raise the saw and stand the maple on it's backbone. I had measured the thickness, at 16 mm. I marked a reference line down the middle at 8mm and bookmatched the maple scales. Now I had two the same shape and thickness.
I take my time and don't try and get too tight or make things pretty at this point. Final shaping will take place later. We want a general shape to help get the scales positioned on the blade blanks. Better to be well oversized and shape down to the blank. You can't put wood back. (Okay, you can, but it sucks.)
The cocobolo piece was thin and wide so I cut the same shape out twice. Both came out beautifully. I don't think I messed these up. (Yet.)
Watch this space, I still have plenty to do, so plenty of chances.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
Re: A New Build (Along)
That spalted maple is a beautiful piece of wood, will like seeing it when you get some finish on it. What are your plans for finishing it? I would think natural would be best to keep the big contrast between the dark and light.
0 x
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BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 5807
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: A New Build (Along)
What I usually do is hit it with a single pass of Watco Golden Oak with really makes the grain pop and protects the wood. Then I put about three coats of beeswax on it. Letting the wax dry and then buffing it out. With this finish if you gouge or scar the wood, you simply dab the area with the golden oak, then wax and buff and you are good to go again. The Watco Oil penetrates into the wood and protects deep. As you can see on this previous knife, the grain just POPS.
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1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
Re: A New Build (Along)
Do you warm the wood a little before putting on the finish? When I built my oak mallet I put several coats of paste wax as a finish and used a heat gun on low to make it soak in . So every year or so I can touch it up .
0 x