A Trio of New Knives
#31
Came out this morning and took the "knives" out of the clamps.  They were solid.  First step was a trip to the drill press to drill the holes for the screws all the way thru using the existing holes in the off side scales as a guide.  Carefully aligning each hole, with care to insure the knife was flat on the drill press, boom.  All the holes were done.  I went slow and took my time.  We are about halfway there.

Before starting on the shaping here, we will tape up the blades to insure safety, I don't want a knife twisting in my hand and cutting me.  I leave the plastic sleeve in place and add a couple layers of blue painters tape.  Insurance.  CHEAP insurance.


   



Next up was setting up the 1x30 with the 60 grit to start the shaping process.  This is the part where we begin shaping those rough scales to the blanks.  I love this part.  Not only do the knives start to take shape, but this is were we start to actually see what the scales have been hiding from us.  We see a dramatic change in this first step.  In the picture below, the two drop points have been shaped, but the Tanto is waiting.  Note the difference in the shapes.


   


Spent thirty to forty five minutes on each knife.  The first one up was the Lacewood, and you can tell by the uneven bottom edge where I started and that I didn't have the feel for the technique of using belt crossing the top of the wheel to do the rounded portions.  It worked much better on the cocobolo drop point.  I had a better feel for control.  You will see when I dressed them up in the passes on the 100 grit.


The sixty grit passes completed.  The grains are starting to show and the shapes are revealing themselves.


   


I got back out after lunch, and hit them with the 100 grit.  I spent a lot of time shaping and smoothing, and I did manage to correct the waves that were running across the bottom of the lacewood knife.  It's looking a lot better.  I will watch to insure I don't (try not to) make that mistake in the future.  One second of inattention and the sander can pull the blank across the belt and a fine point is flat.



   


There is a lot more to do.  I will at least go 220 and 400, maybe even 600 or 800.  I doubt these will see the 1000.

Smirk

So far so good.  There will be some handwork in the tight areas with thin cut strips, light shining shoes.
Jim in Okie
You can tell a lot about the character of a man -
By the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
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#32
I am sorry to say, looks like the project will be on hold, maybe for months.  
Upset
Had found a great deal on RR Ties for my range, $7 each, and got the word to come pick them up today.  They even let me load at the railhead, one mile from the house, instead of in town, twenty miles away. 
Yes

While pulling the third 16 tie bundle off the trailer, a stack shifted.  
Rolleyes
Miss Tina was running the tractor and yelled for me to "Get Back!"
 I stepped back, hooked a heel and feel backwards.  I tried to break my fall.
No
Down I went.  Four decades plus of training kicked in, I tucked my chin and rolled my shoulders when I did hit, but the hard packed earth broke my fall, and my left wrist. (In two places.)

ER doc says it looks like surgery will be required.  I am supposed to see the cutter tomorrow.

I'll know more once the orthoped has his say.

Sheesh, I was loving the knife work, leather carving, and we were moving into fishing season.

Upset
Jim in Okie
You can tell a lot about the character of a man -
By the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
Reply
#33
Very sorry to hear of the injury
I broke a wrist a long time ago, no surgery, but cast for a few weeks , fell out of a truck
Again, sorry, heal soon , be safe and healthy
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#34
(04-05-2021, 08:50 PM)MT Woodworker Wrote: Very sorry to hear of the injury
I broke a wrist a long time ago, no surgery, but cast for a few weeks , fell out of a truck
Again, sorry, heal soon , be safe and healthy
Thanks.  I was just at the sweet spot on this build too.  I ordered brass rod for the pins for my tanto... I was really looking forward to seeing that one done. 
Big Grin
Jim in Okie
You can tell a lot about the character of a man -
By the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
Reply
#35
Well, shoot. Heal up Jim!!
Mark Singleton

Bene vivendo est optimum vindictae


The Laws of Physics do not care about your Politics   -  Me
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#36
You gotta quit living up to your screen name!

Hope you get back to work quickly. Don't push it. The knives will wait.
"Mongo only pawn in game of life."        Mongo
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#37
Thanks y'all 
Big Grin
Big Grin
Jim in Okie
You can tell a lot about the character of a man -
By the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
Reply
#38
A large part of what making projects has taught me is to be practical and methodical. I have gotten way more organized as a result (although my overwhelming piles of precious wood pieces is winning some battles in this war). You Sir have won this war. Not only does everything have a place (Rule 1 in getting organized) but you have it labelled! A tip of my cap to you.

And you already know that the cocobolo is going to be the winner.
Lumber Logs, domestic hardwoods at wholesale prices: http://www.woodfinder.com/listings/012869.php

Lumber Logs' blog: Follow the adventure
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#39
oh man, sorry to hear about the injuries.  
Sad

hope ya heal up quick.  
Yes

just got a big old shipment from woodcraft, so i'm anxious to get started on a few of these myself.  i've only made 3 so far, but it's pretty addictive.

got a few folding kits too, but d@mn, those can be painful to do.  did manage to get one little guy done though.  
Crazy
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#40
Home from surgery. 
Big Grin
Nerve block. 
Laugh
Hand is numb.
Doc said it went well.
Jim in Okie
You can tell a lot about the character of a man -
By the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
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