3 new knives

[4ND3R5]

Hi all, I made three more knives. Two upsweeps and one straight stubby handle knife. I decided to make a stubby with the off cuts. They also have phenolic end caps....idk what they are called. Two darker phenolic pieces and one lighter one on the shorty. I forget the exact kind that they are. The short one surprised me; I like it a lot.
THey still need polishing. Ordered a polisher from Rockler in March and there is till no timeline to get it.

[Tom Ellis]

Nice job Anders, looks like you have found a handle style that you like.

[Nebraska]

The caps are a nice touch good looking knives.

[Merle Rice]

Hi Anders , no need to buy Knives when you can make them like that , good job . Merle

[DiLeon]

Some of the best knifes are the ones that you make....I love my short blades ones also. Did a great job.

[JerseyGirl]

That’s awesome. I’m gonna have to teach myself how to make some! Any resources you can share?

[wasserretter]

Nice knives. And if they are doing what they should you did it best.

[Brian T]

Yup. Just little flakes of steel. Big blades get in the way sometimes.
A good illustration of the economy to explore the carving qualities of different blade shapes.
Plus, you're making knives which just plain look good in their overall design.

[4ND3R5]

Thanks everyone!

Tom - Thanks. I wanted to try a new handle style on these. The ones I had been making have a bump up near the index finger for grip.

Jerseygirl- Thanks. start out by taking an old fishing knife or something and modifying it into a good carving knife. I did a lot of research trying to figure out where to buy temper carbon steel and didn't have much luck. Then I was in the flooring isle at home Depot and saw carbon steel floor scraper blades. Five 8" long blades for around 7 bucks. Then I grabbed a couple of hickory flooring samples on the way out to use as a handles. That is a very cheap way to start. Cut out the blade with a Dremel tool, and milk down two piece of wood that are 1/2"x1 1/2x 5" long. Cut a notch out for the blade on both piece and epoxy it all together. The next day you can draw a handle shape you want and fit it to your hand.

[JerseyGirl]

4ND3R5 Thanks for the info!

[Brian T]

Worn down farrier's hoof carving knives have a lifetime of wood carving steel in them. They also have a sweep, if that might be what you are looking for.
Reciprocating (eg SawzAll) saw blades are really good stock. In fact, most all kinds of old hand saw blades, rusty or not, are good stock. Modern inexpensive hand saws might just have the edge hardened. I never heard if the rest of the blade is carving knife steel. Good to know that the floor scraper blades are good for carving. I should see if I can buy a couple, just to have on hand.

The trick is to not overheat the blade (turns blue) as that cooks the temper out of the steel and it's dead soft unless heat treated.

Handle size can be worked out the same way that the handles are sized on tennis racquets.
Palm up, fist grip, the tips of your second and third fingers ought to just touch the fat ball part of your thumb. For me, for example, that's 7/8" diameter but 3/4" - 1" is OK. Get some simple wood and whittle out a handle, going smaller and smaller. You should realize when you have passed by what fits you.

Somebody who is good at this and has a good camera should make a tutorial of knife making.

[Randy]

Outstanding job on those knives!

[joepaulbutler]

Good for you! When you get to using them, I'm sure there will be a big grin on your face.

I also use the floor scraper blades, but the 1095 steel I use to make a bigger, thicker blade, I got from:
https://newjerseysteelbaron.com/product/1095hc/ NJ Steel Baron.

I've used different finishes on my handle, but have settled on using tung oil, for some reason it seems to me to get a better gripping to the handle. I've never taken the time to give the handle the nice finishing touch that you do with your caps

Again my2¢

[woodburner807]

Nice looking knives, Anders. Something I should try someday. Great functional results.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Very nice knives!