[squbrigg]

Thanks to the inspiration that Rick, our resident knife expert, gave me and an article in an old issue of WCI, I took the plunge and tried my hand at making myself a few detail knives. I can never find what I want commercially, and Rick has a waiting list as long as the Good Girls and Boys list that Santa has, so I thought I'd try. I am happy with the handles, but have some work to do on shaping the blades to suit yet.

Some blades are old broken dental tools that I had shaped and used but had no handles for and some are Warren interchangable blades. The glue I used isn't what I'm going to settle on, it foams too much, I have a few more setting up using two part epoxy. The wood pieces are some of the starting point examples: Afermosia, Birdseye Maple and ?...RedGum maybe. Used some Ebony sandwiched between the Birdseye and Afermosia.

Bob

[carver6]

Bob,
Those are really nice looking micro tools. I'll bet you do have trouble finding small tools for the small items you carve for your ships. Another suggestion for a knife is check some local flea markets for some high carbon steel kitchen knives. Take them apart and reshape the blade like you want it. They make really nice carving knives and I'm sure other types of tools, especially if you can re-temper them after reshaping, if you have to do that. About all you get in stores now are stainless steel, which I really don't care for.

Really like your handles. Look real good.
Garon

[wood-whittler]

bob,

great looking knives now that you have made a few the bug will hit and you will be making more. i have made a few in the past out of wide hacksaw blades these make very good knives also.


bart

[Coffeeman]

Nice job Bob, they look great. Bill

[Mottles]

Wow Bob, nice work indeed!
Kathy

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by squbrigg

Thanks to the inspiration that Rick, our resident knife expert, gave me and an article in an old issue of WCI, I took the plunge and tried my hand at making myself a few detail knives. I can never find what I want commercially, and Rick has a waiting list as long as the Good Girls and Boys list that Santa has, so I thought I'd try. I am happy with the handles, but have some work to do on shaping the blades to suit yet.

Some blades are old broken dental tools that I had shaped and used but had no handles for and some are Warren interchangable blades. The glue I used isn't what I'm going to settle on, it foams too much, I have a few more setting up using two part epoxy. The wood pieces are some of the starting point examples: Afermosia, Birdseye Maple and ?...RedGum maybe. Used some Ebony sandwiched between the Birdseye and Afermosia.

Bob

Bob...if you want some of the street sweeper tines, send me a self addressed stamped envelope (preferably padded) and I will send you some....they are good for small jobs!

[Canopener]

Good job Bob, nothing like working with tools you custom made for yourself. The epoxy will probably work better for you.
The pelican style blade reminds me of one of the first "Pro" knives I bought some years ago. It was nothing more than an exacto, maybe warren reverse blade epoxied into some nice cherry wood [but not as nice as your job] for twenty smackers. Heck, I could've done that!
Live and learn.
Jim

[whitecree]

Nice looking knives, Bob!

I use 5 minute epoxy to set my knife blades, and I find old broom handles make adequate knife handles as well.

You can make a good, small knife out of a 7/32 chainsaw file. You have to heat the steel first before grinding, then re-harden/temper afterwards.

Who knows, maybe you're going to start a whole new small business for yourself.

[jamesfa]

Nice set of knives Bob.
becarefull it can become habit forming.
you will be so busy making knives it will take away from your carving time.


Frank

[Scott]

That's what happens, but I love making tools and I'm eating better.

http://www.caribooblades.com