December Hunter Project

[BrokenolMarine]

I haven't been in the Shop for a while due to health and other projects around the farm, but I finally dragged myself out. I looked in the stock of knife blanks from Jantz, and had two of each of the Hunter, Tanto blanks, and a Bowie. I chose the Hunter. The bowie will likely get a stag build, and the Tanto I might do a stack.

I spent an hour or so going thru the drawer where I keep the wood I have pulled from my various sources I selected for scales, and after trying and rejecting a dozen or so: Cocobolo, Dark Walnut, two sets of bone (not wide enough) and some beautiful Cherry and Oak, (didn't want to waste the pattern on the short blank...) I chose Birdseye Maple and a bone accent piece with Nickel Silver pins. I also selected the dark red for the backing/accent panel.

01 putting hunter together.jpg

Next I went to work on the layout of the metal work for the spine of the knife. Sketching and rejecting a number of patterns, I think I'll go with the 1/8" rope pattern on this one. I haven't tried this one before. I could just buff the spine to a high shine and leave it, but working the metal of the spine pushes my skill level and gives the knife that little extra.

02 spine design layout.jpg

I exceeded my hour in the shop for this session, but I'll get back on it tomorrow, probably a couple sessions. Maybe three. If there are any of my pals on the forum that want to take the trip with me, I'll make this a build along, if not, I'll post the completed pic at the end. Watch this space either way.

[RetiredSeabee]

Looking forward to watching the project.

[BrokenolMarine]

Alright then, I'll take the time to post the process. If even ONE of you wants to watch, worth my time.
Thanks.

[Hatchdog]

Make that two, I always enjoying the process. So fun to watch a craftsman at work.

[daytime dave]

That's a nice looking knife blank. This will be a great project I'm sure.

[Mags]

I like watching these too.

[BrokenolMarine]

The temps plummeted overnight, and stayed bitter all day. Arthur came to visit so I didn't get out in the shop like I'd hoped to, my hands took the day off. I'll get out tomorrow, and back at it. I'll be working it... keep watching.

[Hatchdog]

Good that you listen to Arther even tho he brings bad news.

[markiver54]

Will be following Marine.

[BrokenolMarine]

Managed to get back out to the shop for a couple hours this morning, and started to set up the knife for the work on the spine on the blade blank. First, I cut two cardboard pads and put them around the blade, taping them in place. This protects the blade from the vise, and my cutty parts from the blade. Next, I clamped the blade in the vise and prepared to lay out the pattern for the treatment of the spine.

03 spine work.jpg

I applied the layout dye to the back of the spine and allowed it to dry. The layout dye is temporary, and comes off after use. It allows you to "lay out" your work in pencil to use as a guide.

04 dyed.jpg

I spent about forty five minutes on the layout. The first diagonal cuts to match my drawing did not make me happy. I removed the layout and started over, carefully re-dying the spine and taking my time to lay out another more open pattern. Then I made the initial reference cuts to guide the deeper cuts. The reference cuts help insure the files/bits don't skitter. That can be a real problem.

05 initial cuts.jpg

Once the reference cuts are all completed, you go back and make the cosmetic / shaping cuts, careful to avoid the dreaded skitter which can ruin all the careful planning. Slow and steady is the key here.

06 shaping cuts.jpg

My time in the shop for now was done. Lots more to do here, but time to stop for a bit. The removal of the dye called for denatured alcohol. I was out. Miss T needed some 1x2s for winterizing the run on her coop and I needed that DA. Time to make a run to Ace Hardware.

After I remove the dye in the morning, the polishing begins on the cuts made so far. 325, 600, 800 grit. I use a special sanding jig for that process, I wrap the sections cut from the sandpaper sheet around a pencil or dowel and sand away. I sand up through the grits until I get a nice smooth result. 1200 grit, 1500? Sometimes.....

Stay tuned.