Silver Inlay Curly Maple Knife

[tippit]

Well I showed this knife on a post...trying to decide if I could put a Kibler Southern Rifle together.  Forging comes pretty easy for me...putting a rifle together is another story.  Still trying to decide on that one...tippit

[webradbury]

That inlay looks very nice. To be sure it's not your first time!

What kind of steel do you use?

[iloco]

Building the rifle would be a piece of cake for you.  The work on the knife would carry over to a rifle build.  Go for it.

[tippit]

webradbury,
I've been forging knives for around 15 years now.  That style was taught to me by Joe Keeslar (ABS Master Smith and ABS Hall of Famer).  I use 5160, 1084, 52100, car/truck springs (ususally they are 5160 especially for older modles), old files, Damascus, and mistery steel where ever I can find it.  I especialy love old pitted steel...



iloco,
Thanks, you've definately been one of my positive boosters. 

[Nordnecker]

I do like the way you forged the back end of the blade. I don't know the proper term for this part of a blade. If forging comes easily to you, you might as well forge a trigger guard and butt plate for a Tennessee rifle. Shucks, Man, Forge up the barrel while you're at it

[smylee grouch]

Nice work on the knife. I have a whole gang of leaf springs from a 1920s era truck, would this be good blade material?

[Tim Crosby]

 I would suggest you buy the Kit from Jim, you will have No problem putting it together. Very nice work on the knife, the wire work is very well done especially on a curved surface like that..

  Tim C.

[tippit]

smylee grouch,
That is probably 5160 high carbon steel...makes a great knife blade and easy to quench & temper.  Just fire up your forge and pound hot steel to what ever shape you want...simple as that.  All the shapes of my knives are done with hammers...only grinding is to smooth out the shape and finish the actual blade's bevel/edge.

Tim,
You convinced me.  I'm going to call and talk with Jim.  I'm excited to try this.  I can't thank everyone enough for all  your encouragement.  Plus I know where to come for help...tippit

[smylee grouch]

Thanks for that info Tippit, I actualy have been using the stuff for some smaller knifes and it seemed to work and forge nice but I never really knew what the material was and never did make a larger (over 6 inch blade) knife with it. Maybe next summer.

[tippit]

smylee,
This is what you can do with those car/truck springs...my competition knife to chop 2x4's, cut free hanging rope, and slice through a series of filled water bottles.  It was made from a Toyota truck spring.  The handle is rolled and the edge comes down to a frog's hair

[Marcruger]

Tippit, that maple scaled knife is just ridiculously cool.  Too bad you couldn't make a nice handle for it.  Hah, hah, hah.  Just kidding of course.  That is some lovely work, not the least of which is the beautiful finish on the wood.  Aqua Fortis?  Well done good sir.  God Bless,   Marc

[David R. Pennington]

THATS DANDY