Author Topic: Fighting Knife / Rifleman's Knife (Read 11041 times)

jcmcclure · « **on:** January 23, 2016, 07:31:24 AM »

This is a fantasy knife that I have been working on for a little bit as I get time. We are in the middle of a winter storm right now and have about 16 inches of snow on the ground. While that is not much of snow storm for you guys in the north east or mid west, this is the worst storm we have had since I was about 10 years old.

The snow has given me an opportunity to work on this project on the work bench even though I am not able to build a fire in the forge. This is my take and my take alone on the rifleman's knife. Blade began as a large Nicholson file and is 10.5 inches roughly. Ferrule is a reforged section of octagon muzzle loading barrel and the guard was forged from the tang of the file. Antler haft if from a mule deer shed.

There is a ton of work to still be done, but I am taking a little advantage of the time away from work due to the snow.

Daniel · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2016, 01:06:12 AM »

Lookin good.

jcmcclure · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2016, 02:56:38 AM »

Quote from: Daniel on January 24, 2016, 01:06:12 AM

Lookin good.

Thanks Daniel

jcmcclure · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2016, 02:59:21 AM »

If there is anyone who a comment in the way of constructive criticism I would appreciate it. As of now I am planning on making the guard smaller...after I keep looking at the pics its just not giving me a warm fuzzy feeling.

Anytime I post a knife in progress or completed, it is good to hear the comments and suggestions of others.

michaelB. · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2016, 03:03:29 AM »

I truly think this is one heck of a nice piece of work. As far as constructive criticism goes, if I were getting you to make this for me, I might suggest a straight or straighter handle with a little more thickness. I think that would improve the overall lines of the knife... making the handle flow from the blade. I love the curl on the guard

Shreckmeister · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2016, 03:06:56 AM »

Quote from: michaelB. on January 26, 2016, 03:03:29 AM

I truly think this is one heck of a nice piece of work. As far as constructive criticism goes, if I were getting you to make this for me, I might suggest a straight or straighter handle with a little more thickness. I think that would improve the overall lines of the knife... making the handle flow from the blade. I love the curl on the guard

I think the same thing the tang should be heavier

jcmcclure · « **Reply #6 on:** January 26, 2016, 05:06:14 AM »

Quote from: michaelB. on January 26, 2016, 03:03:29 AM

I truly think this is one heck of a nice piece of work. As far as constructive criticism goes, if I were getting you to make this for me, I might suggest a straight or straighter handle with a little more thickness. I think that would improve the overall lines of the knife... making the handle flow from the blade. I love the curl on the guard

Since this knife is being made for me it does have a smaller handle...I have really small hands for a guy. I too agree that a straighter antler crown would flow better, but I swear out of all the antler crowns in my collection there just aren't a lot with straight sections.

michaelB. · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2016, 12:11:01 PM »

Those danged antlers are like that... can't trust 'em. I'm thinking that I got my knife from Tim at Swamp Fox Knives and it has an antler handle, but straighter with no crown. The crown end is a toughie... Still, I really admire your work. I wish I had your talent and skill. Being able to work metal is an art. I can only work leather and brass.

oldtravler61 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 26, 2016, 05:56:29 PM »

Looks good to me. I like it!

P.W.Berkuta · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2016, 06:46:18 PM »

To my eye -- the guard is way too big and the handle shape does nothing for the "over all look". I would add a rectangle choil in front of the guard because the blade looks wide at that area -- bulky -- has more of a butcher knife look. I would also thin the thickness of the forward portion of the blade from the point back toward the center or 2/3rds of the forward length of the blade -- just my opinion.

Daniel · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2016, 06:49:09 PM »

If you think about changing anything , take a look at originals. You can't always get straight antler.
You know that. Just refine is you see it.

jrb · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2016, 08:26:44 PM »

Well,If you're going for a H. House "woodbury" style, on the big ones the blade's back (top) is about 1/4" thick right where it emerges from the cast bolster, and is constricted (looking at the blade from the top, it's concave on each side for the 1st 1 1/2"s or so, and tapers to only about 1/8" thick at about 2-3" from the bolster, and keeps thinning all the way to the tip. The cross section of the blade for the whole length is triangular, not a flat slab of metal with beveled edges.
But of course this type, as far as I can find out, seems to be a total fantasy for 18th century.

jcmcclure · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2016, 03:01:05 AM »

Quote from: P.W.Berkuta on January 26, 2016, 06:46:18 PM

To my eye -- the guard is way too big and the handle shape does nothing for the "over all look". I would add a rectangle choil in front of the guard because the blade looks wide at that area -- bulky -- has more of a butcher knife look. I would also thin the thickness of the forward portion of the blade from the point back toward the center or 2/3rds of the forward length of the blade -- just my opinion.

There is a lot more profiling that has to be done to the blade...this was just a good stopping point for me to reach and step back and look for opinions from there.

BillPac · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2016, 03:09:09 AM »

Some where on this site we discussed straightening horn by soaking it in vinegar for some time (days) then applying pressure (think vise) and allowing it to dry. I tried it and it did allow for movement, not a lot but some. You may be able to straighten some of the horn you currently have.
BillP

jcmcclure · « **Reply #14 on:** January 27, 2016, 03:40:03 AM »

Most of the pieces that I have are not any more curved than what you see here. When I buy sheds I have a guy that knows what I am looking for a does a pretty good job sorting them for me. There are a few pieces that that I may try this on.

jrb · « **Reply #15 on:** January 27, 2016, 03:19:02 PM »

I've tried the vinegar straightening discussed here (also soaking in water) a while ago on several antlers, 5/8" diameter up to 1" diameter, soaking for a few days to over a month and they never softened enough to bend even a few degrees, even clamping in a 90 lb vise. Out of about 6 dozen local whitetail antlers I've had, not one was straight enough for a decent, not silly looking drooping handle. I even ordered 3 dozen mule antler sheds from one of the hide and fur places and none were straight. I'm always on the lookout for a straight one so I can fight a frontier zombie bear.

michaelB. · « **Reply #16 on:** January 27, 2016, 08:16:37 PM »

This is a question rather than a suggestion, but is it possible to boil the antler to soften it like horn? Then when softened, straighten to the desired shape?

jrb · « **Reply #17 on:** January 27, 2016, 08:39:52 PM »

Here's the link to the old thread, a couple of the posters got them to straighten with vinegar soaks . All I got in several tries and thicknesses was scummy soft moldy surfaces and the main stem not bendable at all. Maybe I need a different vinegar???
Obviously it's doable, I need try boiling in water or soaking in vinegar some more I guess.
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=3848.0

Daniel · « **Reply #18 on:** January 27, 2016, 09:24:01 PM »

Antler if misused as in a boil can fray apart.

michaelB. · « **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2016, 02:44:03 AM »

I appreciate learning that. Thank you. One (me) is NEVER too old to learn. That's why I ask.

grabenkater · « **Reply #20 on:** January 28, 2016, 02:06:44 PM »

Narrow your cross guard, ditch the antler handle and use a straight tapered wooden handle and it will look much nicer on your very nice blade.

Dphariss · « **Reply #21 on:** January 29, 2016, 07:06:24 PM »

A knife, to be correct, needs to be ergonomic. So is the guard something that is going to be comfortable to wear and use? Is the handle REALLY usable on a knife this large? If you were defending your life? These things need to be thought through. Its not about what looks cool in the real world. Its "does it work for its intended purpose?".

Dan

jcmcclure · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2016, 02:07:21 AM »

Your explanation is a good one. I am deff going to be reworking the guard and I am going to use a different handle. Not sure what I will do handle wise as of right now, but I am doing to do something different.

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Author Topic: Fighting Knife / Rifleman's Knife (Read 11041 times)

michaelB.

michaelB.

michaelB.

michaelB.