Well, after my last attempt at knife making went a little overboard, I thought I would make one a lot simpler...saw a blade blank out of O-1 steel, put on a simple brass cross guard, a wood handle, and rivet on an end cap. Just a simple project to do between the demands of work.....
The whole idea went to $#*! in a hand cart right from the start. First, I had no idea what sort of trouble I was getting into by thinking I could properly heat treat O-1 with the very limited equipment I have for that type of work. I only found out after I asked Wick Ellerbe for some advice and after I had invested way more time that I planned in shaping (incorrectly I might add) the blade. Wick took pity on me and VERY generously offered to bail me out and do the heat treating for me. (Wick also offered a lot of his time and advice on blade shaping, file guides, types of steel to use and a myriad of other knife making tips. I very much appreciate his help.)
While the blade was off to Wick for heat treat, I went to work on the grip. But, as they say about the best laid plans of mice and men, things seemed to take on a life of their own. I did manage to make a simple straight, flat brass guard, but ended up embellishing the edge a bit with some boarder engraving...not too bad though, I thought. Simple...elegant...not over done...Then I went looking for a suitable piece of hardwood to make the grip but stumbled, almost immediately, upon a piece of Hippopotamus ivory I had. Before I could control myself, I had already cut up the Hippo ivory and turned the grip. And then it looked too plain, so I added the flutes (full length this time, Smart Dog). The simple ferrules looked too plain now, with the fluted ivory and all, so I had to add some wedding band type decoration.
Anyway, you can see what happened. Before Don Getz jumps in and says anything about it not being a "barn knife" (or whatever), I really did try to hold back, Don!
At any rate, the blade is 10 inches long, the grip is stained with tea, and this time I went for broke and riveted the butt cap on. Now, I need to think about a scabbard.......
