Please excuse the picture...I gotta get a better camera. I finally finished the push dagger that I started awhile back. The scales are black G-10 with nickel/silver pins. I took this one all the way to 1500 grit before putting a mirror finish on it with the buffer.
Clay, Well, basically, I used a hacksaw to cut the rough profile from a piece of tool steel, then I used a belt grinder with an assortment of different grit belts to establish the final profile and cut the bevels. I used a drill to make some holes for the pins. To heat treat, I used a propane torch, a pan of olive oil to quench, and a toaster oven to temper it in. I cut the handle material with a hacksaw as well. Clamps come in handy when gluing the handle scales to the knife. A buffer is nice to have to put a nice finish on it, but is not necessary as you can achieve a mirror finish if you hand rub up to 1200 or 1500 grit. You should check out Valkman's excellent tutorial thread "The making of a knife" located here: http://survivalmonkey.com/forum/making-of-a-knife-vt166.htm Don is an awesome knifemaker!
hehe. My dad used to carry a .45 on his hip since he was a small child. I carried a .38 most of my youth. Then I started carrying a rifle in the urban areas where we always lived as well. I never went anywhere without a knife, though. Of course, I am now grown and had to give up my open carry from where I lived in Pennsylvania, but now find myself being comfortable with my tanto folder made by Cold Steel. I know that i will need my .45 one day, and I am hoping that it will never be when I don't have it on my side. I simply refuse to exchange my right to bear arms for the privilege to carry. But, ya. lol. I could hide a push knife if I needed to.
