Drop point hunter

[jonathan creason]

This one is made out of 1084 steel, edge quenched. It's 9.25" OAL, with 4.5" of sharp. The scales are walnut, with copper pins. I'd love any critiques or criticisms before I finish it out.

 

[Troy Christianson]

I'd give you the old schtick "It's hideous,send it to me for proper disposal." But that is getting old. It is an awesome job! The edge quench really does it for me. I can't express it better but it adds "ZING!" Makes a good knife Great! p.s. what did you etch it with to bring out the contrast?

Edited February 18, 2013 by Troy Christianson

[Geoff Keyes]

In general I like it. The shape is a good one and the edge quench is cool.

 

On he bad side, the plunge cut is a little wonky (OTOH, I've done worse) and the tearout around the pin holes is unfortunate. There are a number of ways to avoid it. One way is to under size the hole, that way you can drill the proper sized hole from the outside. Another way is to leave yourself enough material so that you can grind past the tearout. Or you could take the handle slabs as a single piece, clamp them to the tang and drill the holes. Now cut the block into slabs and put the tearout on the inside. Some times a piece of masking tape will minimize the problem, or tape a thin piece of sacrificial material to the slab and then drill. The thin piece will support the handle slab and any tearout will happen in the shim. There must be other ways, too.

 

Thanks for showing,

 

Geoff

[jonathan creason]

I appreciate it, guys. I think that I may have enough material left to go back and hog around the pins some more and try to get below the tear outs. I generally try to drill with the inside of the scales on the table of my drill press, but just had a brain fart on this one.

 

I think the plunges can mostly be attributed to my craftsman grinder. I think I'll have it tracking nice and even and then, "Bam" it's wondering all over the place. I bought the steel to start on my NWG Friday, so hopefully that'll be taken care of soon.

 

Troy, nothing special on the etch. I soaked it for a couple of hours in vigaroon, taking it out a few times to wipe off the oxides. Then I gave it a couple of quick dips in dilute ferric.

[Steven Gillespie]

Clean up the plunge cuts with a file? I keep a cheap file on hand I ground the teeth of on flat and one side. It only cuts the plunge that way, and the grind when I want to clean it up. I use a craftsman as well, but I made a plunge guide to stop the plunge from doing that.

[Richard van Dijk]

Have you tried to soak the handle in a mixture of boiled linseed oil and turpentine (I use gum turpentine available in art shops) it will bring the walnut alive.

I pump a vacuum while the wood is submerged but if you leave it for 2 or 3 days in the oil you get a simular result.

 

 

Richard

Edited February 18, 2013 by Richard van Dijk

[jonathan creason]

I haven't tried that, Richard. Thanks for the tip, I've got tons of walnut leftover from dad's cabin project so I'll be sure to give it a try soon.

[jonathan creason]

Finally finished. The sheath is deer rawhide over veggie tanned leather, with some buckskin and snakeskin added for fun.

[sandpile]

Jonathan

Nice shape, good quench line and etch

I glue one slab, drill that side then glue the other and drill it.

This leaves plenty of wood to grind past your 'Oops' with the hastily drilled holes..

Plunge cut guard is one answer.

 

The knife and sheath came out good.

 

Chuck

[JasperDielemans]

nice knife! I like the plainless of it

[jonathan creason]

Thanks gentlemen, much appreciated.