Alex Middleton 831 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 I've finally finished this set that I've been working on (among other things) for the last month or so. 0.040" thick, 5.25" long blade, 9.5" OAL. This one was ground from a used high speed steel band saw blade that I "saved" from the dumpster at work. The handle is my usual black walnut scales with brass pins. The case/cutting board is a mix of hickory and mahogany with stainless steel fittings. As always, brutally honest comments or critiques are very welcome. Thanks for looking! Alex 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Wimmer 487 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 I love the design of both parts Link to post Share on other sites
Jason McEntee 57 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 (edited) That's a nice kit. I really like the lines on the filet knife, and the cutting board/case is a cool concept. Now it just needs to be christened with the blood of a Crappie.... Edited October 7, 2017 by Jason McEntee www.facebook.com/appleseedcustoms/ Link to post Share on other sites
Charles dP 589 Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 To be brutally honest Alex, I find it hard to pick any fault with that. I like the whole thing. Well done. "The way we win matters" (Ender Wiggins) Orson Scott Card Nos, qui libertate donati sumus, nes cimus quid constet. Link to post Share on other sites
Joël Mercier 709 Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 3 hours ago, Charles du Preez said: To be brutally honest Alex, I find it hard to pick any fault with that. I like the whole thing. Well done. I second that! Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Middleton 831 Posted October 8, 2017 Author Share Posted October 8, 2017 Thanks guys. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. Jason, unfortunately I don't get to christen this one. I'm donating it to a charity that a friend of mine started and operates. They sell craft projects to raise money to help out special needs kids. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
David Forsman 7 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 It should fetch top dollar. Beautiful craftsmanship and a great concept. Link to post Share on other sites
David Forsman 7 Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 I think my dad would love a set like this. Do you mind if I duplicate your design as christmas present for my dad? He recently moved to a warmer climate and will no doubt be spending alot more time fishing now. Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Middleton 831 Posted October 19, 2017 Author Share Posted October 19, 2017 Have at it. Hopefully your dad puts his to good use. Link to post Share on other sites
David Forsman 7 Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 I have a feeling he probably wont because its too nice to get dirty. I have a question about heat treating the blade. I dug around in the scrap bin at my work and found a band saw blade 1" wide and around .035 thick. I didc some basic hardening tests and I found the steel did not seem to change its temper when heated to non magnetic and quenched in oil. It did get extremely brittle with a water quench. After some reading it seems highspeed steel is a bit tricky to harden and temper. Just curious if you did a heat treat or left it as is. What was your process? Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Middleton 831 Posted October 19, 2017 Author Share Posted October 19, 2017 I had a lot of the same issues. The best way I found it to work was to use a torch to heat it up to a bright red/dull orange with the shop lights on and then quench right away in water. I didnt magnet test it but I'm sure it was well over nonmag temperature. I don't have a hardness tester but it skated a file very well. For tempering, I put it in the oven at 350 for a cycle and then sharpened it until the edge started chipping away. I then repeated the process over and over at a slightly higher temperature until the edge stayed sharp and held up to a little abuse. It ended up being 425 in my oven. I'm pretty happy with the results, it kept a good amount of flexibility and maintained a shaving sharp edge through some basic testing. The only thing I didn't do was break it to look at the grain structure. I'm not sure if that is a good indicator with HSS or not, but I may do that tonight on another piece just to see what it looks like. Link to post Share on other sites
steve latham 1 Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 beautiful and great storage solution too:) love it:) Link to post Share on other sites
David Forsman 7 Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Thanks for all the info. Its a huge help. I will go ahead with that method. I think im going to chop up the rest of the blade in 12" sections for future projects as well. If any one wants a peice I can send it for the cost of shipping Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Middleton 831 Posted October 19, 2017 Author Share Posted October 19, 2017 No problem. Hopefully it turns out good for you. Link to post Share on other sites
David Forsman 7 Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Here is my take on it. Bandsaw blade same overall dimensions as OP. I used eastern aromatic cedar rubbed with beeswax and aluminum pins. Im not sure how to sharpen this blade as its much thinner (.035") than anything ive done before. Should I do a primary bevel from the shoulder or just a small bevel to give it an edge with a micro bevel? Link to post Share on other sites
Clifford Brewer 384 Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 I would just put an edge on it myself.......... If ya can't be good don't git caught !! People who say stuff can't be done need to git the hell outta the way of people who do stuff !!! Show me a man who is called an expert by his peers And I will show you a good man to listen to ...... Show me a man who calls himself an expert and I will show you an egotistical asshole...............!! Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Middleton 831 Posted October 27, 2017 Author Share Posted October 27, 2017 I like it Dave. Especially the narrower blade profile. That should work really well on a panfish. I just used the belt sander to put the primary edge on mine, and then buffed it to a razor on a birch wheel. Link to post Share on other sites
David Forsman 7 Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 I will give that a go. Thanks Link to post Share on other sites
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