I posted two more photos in the knife making series, only one photo left, the finished knife.

Good looking knives Ric. Really like the different woods you use.

Thanks Butch,
I posted the finished pictures of the knife today.
www.picturetrail.com
Type CARVERS-R-US in the box

[STEVE]

GREAT WORK RICK

Thanks Steve, as long as you learned a little about making knives I'm happy.

Rick, what do you shape with, a grinder? file or ? and how do you determine the right heat while tempering? Do you do the last temper after you have shaped and polished? Only have about 100 more questions

I do most of my shaping, grinding, and sharpening on my 'Burke Sharpening System'. I also have an old grinder that I use a little. To get the curve where the blade meets the handle, I use a dremel with a 1/4' sanding drum.

I determine the correct temperature for heat-treating with a 'cow magnet' NO! it doesn't attract cows! It's about a three inch long magnet shaped like a small hot dog. It is fed to cows to collect wire etc. The hard part is getting them out of the cows. When the metal is heated enough that the magnet will not attract it, then I have the correct temperature.

I usually put a good finish on the blade before tempering it with the torch, I temper shortly after heat-treating the blade.
The final sharpening and polishing is done after tempering.

[Bandaid]

Great looking knives Rick. Thanks for sharing your technique.

OK 'cow magnet ' (just happen to have one LOL) for heat treating, how do you determine temperature for the final temper?

Usually, I temper by color, but when I am tempering several blades, I do use a Toaster oven with a good thermometer

Held at these temperatures for about 45 - 60 minutes (for mostÂ*small tools). Â*I try to stay between 400-425 degrees

approx. Rockwell C results.
350 Â*deg. F Â*62/64
400 Â*deg. F Â*61/63
450 Â*deg. F Â*60/62
500 Â*deg. F Â*58/60