TINKER KNIVES - made from old pocket knives

[Donald K. Mertz]

TINKER KNIVES are the result of "tinkering" around with old small handled pocket knives, many of which have seen better days but still have a good blade that can be shaped and sharpened into a carving knife, only the handle is too small to comfortably hold in the carving hand. So while doing some "tinkering thinking" (as all "tinkerers" do) I came up with a way to experiment by encasing the small metal body of an old pocket knife within thin slabs of oak wood using a thin slab of walnut as a spacer whittled to fit between the side liners of the pocket knife and using five minute epoxy to hold it all togeher. The new wooden handle was then whittled to shape, sanded and given two coats of Birchwood Casey Gun Stock Oil and when dried, the blades were shaped and sharpened. Each TINKER KNIFE was then put to the test by carving wood. A fuller description along with before and after photos of the assembly process are published on my blog listed under my signature below. All are welcome to visit my blog.

[Ron T]

Hello Donald,

What a terrific idea. It just goes to show everything hasn't been thought of yet. I would have tried to pop the blade out or used it as is. Actually, I would have thrown it into the bottom of the junk box. Better check that out.

Really nice looking blade shapes and great job on the handles. Thanks for the pix and explanation on the process.

After going thru the posts, I know there are lots of carvers, I'm one, who like to make their own knives.

[Bobla76]

I have made several carving knives out of old saw blades, but this is a way to use one of the best carving blades I've ever found. It's an old knife I found on a Montana hiking trail. It looks pretty ratty. The steel though is first rate and sharpened to a razor edge that holds up well. Just that it's too hard on the hand to carve for long. Thank you! - Now I know what to do!

[Tom-H]

Great idea Donald. Probably everyone on this forum/board has a whole bunch of old pocket knives. Here's a great idea for a second life for some of the worthy ones. Thanks Don.

Tom H

[sludgeguy]

Ah Donald,

I read the Tinker Knives title and thought somebody was making the Tinker Knives of the Louis L'Amour fame. I think he was in a Sackett book called Lando as well as the First Fast Draw.
I'll just have to settle for a wonderful way of putting the old Barlow's back to work! Thanks for sharing it.
Doug

[Keoma]

OMG! What a brilliant idea! I am so going to do this! I adore recycled anything! My husband will put a halt to me tearring into his knife drawer, but I will finangle a few from him!!!!! I have been wanting some tinkering knives and this will make me a cool set! Thank you for sharing! I hope everyone will post there own personal style knives. I just love this idea!!! Thank you again! Now wheres that Ol' Timer...

[tnartist05]

VERY neat idea!! Ive made knives from hack saw blades,razors and a few bowie knives from spring steel but theses are so really neat carving knives you've made!! Thanks for posting about them!

Forrest

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I assume you apoxied the blades so they don't move or try to fold? Unfortunately, I don't have any real old knives, the one or two I have are cheapies and the steel isn't worth messing with.........geez, now I have to go to garage sales again!!

[mikeGinSC]

From what I can see, they look like they fold up? What a neat idea.


Mike G. in SC who has several pocket knives that need some work.

[gene-messer]

Leave it to you Don .. to think of this great idea .. and it is that .. going to try it .. sounds easy ..

Thanks so much

Gene