Spots

Well if nothing else, if noone else wants to try it for me, I'll send ya the knife, with return postage money. I just need to know what works and what doesn't so I can improve.

First I'd like to thank Broomhead for overnighting me the steel to get this done this weekend. We started with a 1.5" x 1/4" x 18" piece of 1084 stock. after shaping with a lot of forge work, sanding polishing, etc, we ended up with a long, light fighting bowie. Specs are 19 1/4" overall. 13.5" blade. 12.25" cutting edge. 1084 steel hidden tang blade. 5160 hand guard, Burmese Rosewood handles. Weight is 21 oz. Its fast and quick, and should be a good fighter. Without further ado, the pictures My old man doing some beating, helping me shape it. Two weekends worth of work, not to bad. Me and my dad posing for some pictures.

Knifemakers and Bladesmiths

I just made a new social group, and sent invites before I realized it needed to be approved by a moderator. How long does that usually take? Just wondering so I can let the guys I invited have a heads up since they asked about it. Thanks

When I was 13 or 14 I found a crosscut saw stuck in a stump. Looks like they sunk it in the stump then left it there. Handles were gone, but the blade was still there. I've found a few pocket knives through the years. I once found a helicopter rotor blade in a crate when I was in avation mechanic school at MCAS New River, NC. Threw it in the truck, took it in to some buddies of mine who worked on dynamic components. It was a tail blade for a 60's-70's Huey. Musta been dropped back in the day.

Thanks man. And honestly, you don't have to pay me back, its just a few dollars for a sharpening, and whatever it cost to ship it back to you. That way you have a good sharp machete like you want, and I can drum up a lil morw buisness for my friends at kinney sharpening. Let me know if youndecide this is the best course of action and I'll pm you my address.

I've got a place I go, but it won't help you, its in Knoxville. If you want to ship it to me, I can run it by there, and I'll pay to have them sharpen it, as they know me quiet well by now. They now do all my work, its Kinney Sharpening in Knoxville. They can put on a damn good edge and they are fast. Just let me know if you want to ship it, and I'll help you out anyway I can

Once we have a few more I'll close it and it'll be sent to you on monday Oct. 22nd. So pm your address whenever your ready

Looks like we may be sponsored. Kinney Sharpening in Knoxville is supposed to be printing out 10-20 coupons good for one free sharpening for me to pass out to campers. If they come through on this, you guys will be getting a free coupon each.

To make myself a better knifemaker, I need some people who can test my knives, and tell me where they need improvement, along with what is being done right. The best way to do that seems to be a pass around. So after the camp meet on Oct.19th, 20th, and 21st, I'd like to do a pass around with some fellow TGOer's. Rules are taken from Major Kong, and are as follows: 1) Post here that you want in. 2) Have at least 150 posts at TGO. 3) Use the knife. Chop wood. Baton wood. Make fire sticks. Use it to cut your steak. Have fun. 4) After you have used the knife- package it and mail it to the next person on the list. Keep the knife for no more than one week. Current user and next user info will be maintained here. 5) Post a review of your experience with the knife. Pictures are expected and appreciated. I only ask that you don't use the knife as a pry bar, or throw it. Other than that, have fun, and give it a good test. Here are the pictures as it sits right now.

Its thousands of times worse in California. I've never been in a place where 3 or 4 bums will fight over the "good" street corners. I refuse to give money to a bum. I used to ask them to do chores for the cash. I've offered probably close to a hundred bums the opportunity to mow grass, help out with some farm work, etc. and I'd pay them $10 an hour cash. I've never had a single one take me up on it. If your not willing to work for something, your not worth my damn time or money.

Funny as hell, but somebody beat you to it

It was reaired

I should have mentioned I have a bandsaw, router, table saw, etc. Also have a really good draw knife, thats what we use to draw most blanks down to a general shape. I was amazed how well those files cut, as well as the mesh backed sand paper.

So I made the decision to get serious about knife making today. A lot of what we have been making is rough out stuff, nothing beautiful, but it works, and is fairly strong. Today I decided to start using nicer woods, doing more finish work, and making nicer, classier knives. Anyways I picked up some tools and materials to this effect and was wondering if anyone notices something missing from what I got that would make a substantial difference in build quality. Also I need advice on polishing the blades while leaving a handmade look to them? To make nicer handles I bought some rosewood and purple heartwood blanks, and a large selection of Iwasaki files. I used these files tonight on the handle of my newest bowie, and they cut amazingly well. I would suggest a few different types to anyone who works with wood. I got the 150mm half round and flat medium cuts, a 200mm flat fine cut, and an 8mm round cut for cutting the tang holes in handles. I also bought some very good sand paper, and was amazed at the difference from the cheap stuff. Its Abranet multipack, with 80-600 grain. It made a huge difference in finishing the out the oak handle on my last knife. On the steel side I bought some nice blanks of 5160 and 1084 that are in smaller widths and better thicknesses then the leaf springs I've been using. Does anyone notice anything I've missed? And what makes a good polishing system for the high carbon steel blades, that won't take away all the forging marks, but will make it look better. Thanks guys.

Shoot I'm all for bumping it to $100 but I know thats to high for some lol

I stopped by yesterday. Awesome people. They sharpened my new homemade bowie and both blades on my case knife for $12. And they all have excellent edges. The case ia polished and honed to perfection and will cleanly shave hair with one stroke. Awesome place. Highly reccomended.

The alcohol thing was so that everyone knew. I knew you were too young to buy or consume. I am really hoping this turns out to be a nice big event that goes well. If so it will probably become a bi annual or more thing

We are about 165 miles from you on the east side of the state. Would take you about 3 hours to get here. On another note. If you bring alcohol it can't be out until the grandkids and my mom is in bed. So save it for the nights around the fire. Also try to watch you language if you can. Other than that come on out ready for a good time.

Weather looks great for that weekend. Its getting close now. Just 10 days until we are sitting around tge fire having a good ol time

I'm in. Likes: chunks of exoctic hard wood for knife handles, wood working hand tools, pocket knives, .35 rem and .22 ammo. Also chunks of steel for blacksmithing work is always good.

George (gjohnson) came over today and helped me make my first sheath. Now my bowie has a home!!!

Welcome to TGO from a former Marine. I was in from 2007 to 2012. You seem mature for a 16 year old, which is always a plus.

Me and my dad spent all day yesterday working in the forge, after setting up the rendezvous camp site. We made two horseshoe knives, one for a customer here, the other for a family friend. We also made me a large camp bowie. The bowie is 15" overall. 5" handle, 10" inch blade. Seasoned oak handle with a through tang. Hand guard and butt plate are made from horseshoes, knife itself started as a large chunk of 5160 leaf spring steel off a truck. I'll be making more horseshoe knives to sell and trade. Without further ado, the pictures.....

How did you convince them on this? Im sick of gingerbread and really want the intuition phablet. Gingerbread on a phone built for ics sucks. What was your argument and did you have to pay for the razr.