Father / Son Knife making venture

[blu-dog]

A few months ago I ordered a Scandi Knife, fire steel and longbow from Steven Jawerth - through my dealings with Steve it became obvious that he's one of the "old school" great guys - always obliging, a man of his word, someone who takes great pride in his work and generally a great bloke / family man. Since he's made my gear for me we've chatted every couple of weeks... one of the last times I spoke to him I expressed an interest in having a go at making one of my own knives... within a matter of days a knife making kit showed up in the mail; including blades (yes, 2 of them - one for me and one for my son to build alongside me as a joint project), timber (the same ones used in my longbow), brass for the bolsters, red fibre spacer material and even the epoxy that I'd need.

We've just returned from a week long camping trip on the coast and will start our knife making project tomorrow...I'll keep you updated as they progress. Tonight I spent some time in the shed getting my son's knife ready to start tomorrow!!!

[Stickbow Hunter]

Sounds like a fun project mate and I look forward to seeing the progress you make.

Jeff

[Gringa Bows]

Nothing like spending time with ya boy mate ,they grow up to quick............Rod

[blu-dog]

Today was a perfect rainy day - a good one to hide in the shed and do blokey things!

After a quick chat this morning we decided to ditch the brass bolster idea and chose to use a 10 cent piece - heads side facing out - one made in 2000 - Jake's birth year, for a personal touch.

His handle will be coin / red fibre highlight / red ironbark / red highlight / brush box.

Looks rough at the moment but we'll start shaping tomorrow afternoon- it is currently clamped to allow the epoxy to set - he keeps reminding me to make the handle big enough that he can use it while he "grows"...

Hopefully more updates tomorrow. Also got to fit the brass bolster to my blade today.

[Stickbow Hunter]

Thanks for the update - lookin' good.

Jeff

[blu-dog]

Another rainy morning in the shed... the handle has been shaped and sanded and is now soaking in linseed oil for 24 hours.

[Stickbow Hunter]

The handle looks rather large in the photo but that can be deceiving considering the diameter of the coin used. I guess the young fella is excited.

Jeff

[Gringa Bows]

starting to take shape Paul,should look good when its finished..............Rod

[blu-dog]

Removed handle from the linseed and buffed the timber this morning...just need to polish and sharpen the blade and make a sheath.

The handle looks chunky in some of these pics...but remember that the bolster is made from a 10c coin - that puts some perspective on the diameter...plus it's only a 2 inch blade

First picture is of knife sitting in Jake's hand...I think the size suits his palm well.

[otis.drum]

nice effort.

how is the blade attached to the handle? just glued in?

isn't defacing the queen still an offence?

[blu-dog]

Yes...just glued in Otis.

Oh and it's not defacing...just helping her be a little more trendy!!! ...gave her a piercing

[Stickbow Hunter]

Going well, I guess a sheath is next.

Jeff

[Steven J]

Paul,

Glad to see you are having great time with this. Since our last email, I had a look at your pictures of you clamping set up. With the clamps aranged as you have them you are clamping the handle components well. If change your method and clamp from the tip of the blade to the butt of the handle then the shoulder of blade will press down on the bolster and though to the handle components and the blade will be pressed hard into the socket.

Otis,

Provided the blade is clean the epoxy provides a more than sufficient bond. I have removed a blade from a messed up handle before and had to completely destroy the timber and grind the epoxy off the blade. I do make through tang knives where the tang is riveted at the butt of the handle, however this is more for a historical look rather than achieving strength as I still epoxy these blades too.

Steve

[blu-dog]

Thanks Steve...did some work on my knife today - will do a bit more shaping on the handle tomorrow and take some pics to post up.

Thanks for all of your advice!

Thanks for the feedback and comments gentlemen!

[blu-dog]

Almost finished the 2nd knife... steered away from the Norwegian / Scandi handle design and went for more of a rustic "Western" skinner handle. Just a little more polishing on the bolsters and blades and the knives are finished - then on to the sheaths.

These little fellas are really sharp - I'm very impressed with the edge I've managed to obtain!

[blu-dog]

Thanks to LB rod 55 for the antler piece that I got to use in this handle - your generosity is much appreciated!!!

[Stickbow Hunter]

Well done mate. That antler sure does look good on your knife.

Jeff

[Gringa Bows]

no probs Paul,i'm glad it turned out so well..................Rod

[Nephew]

No doubt about you, Mr.Jarwerth, you're a class act!
Nice project, Blu-Dog, the sort of thing your son will remember forever.