Rifleman's Knife...Tea/Vinegar Dye Sun Bleached Antler (page2)

[tippit]

I'm new to AmericanLongRifles and black powder in general.  As an introduction, I'm a retired veterinarian, longbow hunter since 1980, and bladesmith/blacksmith by hobby.  I'm waiting on my first flintlock that I just purchased in the classifieds.  I'm also a moderator on a knife forum...most of my knives are donated to charity as blacksmithing was more of stress therapy while I was running my veterinary clinic.

I'm not real familiar with period knives but lately have been reading and looking at a lot of early knives.  So I forged this rifleman's knife up yesterday...OAL 10 1/2 inches, 1084 carbon steel, and sun weathered antler.  It is quenched & tempered but I haven't pinned it yet as I'm trying to decide if the blade should be rusted with Laurel Mt browning solution or left as it came from the forge.  Also trying to decide if the sun bleached antler should be browned with potassium permanganate or left alone.  Any suggestions are appreciated.




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[n stephenson]

Tippit, Welcome!  I like what you have going there. I`m not a knife expert but, I think it looks pretty good. I do believe I would color it up as you mentioned and give it a warm patina.  JMHO.  Nate

[rich pierce]

Very shapely, straight, good taper. You know what you're doing all right. It looks like it's from the forge. That's a cool look but I'd expect and in my experience, the blade to be filed or ground after forging.  Then hardened and tempered, and polished back to bright metal then patina added.  For the handle  I would get some cutlers resin (pine pitch, ground charcoal and your choice of fiber) down into the cracks nice and black then a warm brown stain on top and some wax.

[grabenkater]

I like it, I like it a lot!

Now, will that get fleas of a cat? 

[P.W.Berkuta]

This is a hard decision -- it looks good as is BUT it could use some highlights in the recesses of the handle. As for the blade -- I like it as is but when the handle is enhanced with color then the blade may need polishing - hard to say - this is my opinion

[tippit]

I appreciate all your comments and keep y'all posted on the progress.

[tippit]

I hand finished to blade to 320 grit leaving some hammer marks on the spine and rolled the edge so all you sharpen is the very edge.  For now I'll let patina come on its own...plenty of tomatoes to slice this time of the year.  I'm still looking at ways to darken the antler including potassium permanganate.  Any other ideas would be great.

[Gun_Nut_73]

Good looking knife.  Take it to a few shoots, and use it as a patch knife a few times, and the antler will start showing some patina.

[Stoner creek]

Try the cider vinegar and tea bag recepie for coloring that handle. Simmer to tiny bubbles the vinegar. I use a quart mason jar and 5-6 Lipton tea bags. You can pull the handle out at whatever color you like. Leave it too long and it will get really dark. I do it on a hot plate outside. It'll smell just like you're canning pickles. Good luck!!

[Marcruger]

I think I would cold-blue the blade and rub it back with 0000 Steel Wool.  I like the tea stain idea for the antler handle.  A coat of brown and then black show polish highlights the grain in the antler afterwards.  Just my two cents worth.  Best wishes, and God Bless,   Marc

[galudwig]

We've always just boiled the handles with tea bags and water and than oiled them down some linseed oil after they dried out. 

I like the blade, but it also scares me to see such a shallow heel and the the edge sharpened back to the handle. Fat-handed fingers like mine would take a beating on that one.

[tippit]

galudwig,
I was just trying to copy what I saw in some rifleman's knives.  You'd probably like a flared finger guard knife something like one of these...

[Black Hand]

The blade looks great. But to me, the handle is too long...

[tippit]

The handle hasn't been attached yet, I'll add a different piece of antler tomorrow.  I asked for opinions and these early knives are different from what I normally forge.

[BOB HILL]

Nice looking blades. Thanks for posting.     Bob

[oldtravler61]

  Tippit I like the knife. Myself I like the rough forged look. Also really like the second knife with the sheath.. Welcome to the ALR Oldtravler

[tippit]

It was easier to forge a second knife than add a different handle to the first rifleman's knife.  Besides the color of the antler and patina of the blade, the two opinions that struck me most were the handle was too long & not enough finger guard protection.  Just forged this one up.  Not sure if it looks like a period knife.  I'm off to buy some tea to color the sun bleached antler.  Both blades were forged from a four inch piece of 1X3/8" 1084 bar stock.

[smokinbuck]

I like both knives but also lean toward the flared guard. I would stain the handle and let the blades age naturally.
Mark

[galudwig]

galudwig,
I was just trying to copy what I saw in some rifleman's knives.  You'd probably like a flared finger guard knife something like one of these...

I do like a flared heel, but I realize that this particular feature is not correct for every blade nor is it necessary to incorporate it into a knife to make it aesthetically pleasing or useable.  As I said earlier, I do like your first blade a lot.  I'm just in favor of features that put a little distance between my fingers and a razor sharp edge.  If it were me I'd consider leaving the last half inch or so near the heel unsharpened. That way if a finger does slip over the edge, it might not result in a deep cut.  It would also make for a safer blade while staying true to the shape and spirit of the knife you were emulating. With the majority of the work being done in the first few inches of the blade, I see no reason for the heel to be sharp right up to the handle.

I really like that curly maple handled knife.  I also like the knife you forged today.  You do some fine work! 

[tippit]

Galudwig,
This is looking down at the edge of that Curly Maple knife before the wood scales were attached.  Beyond the flare is a flat area before it tapers into the edge.
 

[tippit]

I want to thank everyone who has given me some very usable opinions.  This was an enjoyable exercise...tippit

[Elnathan]

It was easier to forge a second knife than add a different handle to the first rifleman's knife.  Besides the color of the antler and patina of the blade, the two opinions that struck me most were the handle was too long & not enough finger guard protection.  Just forged this one up.  Not sure if it looks like a period knife.

If you are really serious about trying to reproduce period knives, the first thing to grapple with is that the "rifleman's knife" is largely a modern invention. There are a couple surviving primitive knives that can be dated to the 28th century (and look quite different from modern repros for the most part), but most of those old knives shown in books are probably 19th century or even Depression era.

As contemporary pieces those are very nice. I wish I could work as fast you you evidently can!

[tippit]

Since my journey into Long Rifles is about to start, I'll bore y'all one last time with the knife I'll probably carry to match it's Curly Maple stock.  Very friendly and informative place you have here.  Thanks...tippit

[rich pierce]

You're obviously good at the forge and shaping.  Turned out that second one in a hurry.  Nice work.

[galudwig]

Galudwig,
This is looking down at the edge of that Curly Maple knife before the wood scales were attached.  Beyond the flare is a flat area before it tapers into the edge.
 

Thanks for that picture.  We routinely get profile pics, but seldom do we get to see a perspective from the top or bottom.  That helps me visualize what that flare really looks like.  I bet it is very comfortable and secure against the finger.