Here is something I have been workin on for a long time.This is my first attempt at it so please bear with me..My grandpa used to make knives out of sa blades,files,car springs..You name it and he was good.Well I figured I would try to carry on that old skill.I made this 11 inch BOWIE blade from a broken machete..I got her glowing red and dropped her into motor oil...It frickin worked.This thing is harder than a preachers ****. The handle is a broken deer horn that I found..Really unique sort of thing. So where can I find a big peice of brass to make my hilt,(handguard) from.. Here is the knife..I named it the "Iron Mistress" after that old movie.. It is built to be functional and I plan to put it on my belt with my pistol when hunting hogs..In case one of these big fellas decides he wants to scrap and I`m out of ammo..
Did you temper it after you hardened it ? If not it may shatter if you stress it and it will be a bitch to sharpen. For Brass try: http://www.northcoastknives.com/northcoast_knives_Supplies2.htm and http://www.knifeandgun.com/catalog/brass_186631_products.htm
BigUglyOne..It has not been tempered..Only hardened.What is the best method for tempering knife steel?Like I said this is my first one and my grandfather is dead.I wish I would have asked more questions of him about this stuff.He was a quiet man but had a wealth of knowledge about hunting and knives,etc Thanks for the links.I`m headed there right now with my wifes credit card.. TG
Nice work. Nice hog also. Glad to see you hadn't spent so much time in the woods that you forgot about technology and the monkey. Haha. One of these days I'll be able to do as much hunting as some of you guys and gals do. I could do some here though I think society looks down on people shooting random liberals and calling them trophies.
Hardening the blade will make it hard but brittle (as I said). If it was done right it will be like glass (I have dropped one and had it shatter). Tempering will soften the steel and make it much tougher. Heat your kitchen oven to 400 degrees and place the blade in there for 1 hour then turn off the oven and let it cool slowly, when it is done the steel will have a yellowish straw color to it. It should be hard enough that a file will slide off of the edge but you should feel some drag from a sharpening stone cutting it. Don did an excellent "getting started" thread at the top of the forum http://www.survivalmonkey.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148
Thanks Tailor..I had a lot of fun huntin that fella and it took me a while till he slipped up...and it was "oops" with the 45-70. Big Ugly One..I tempered it as you said in the oven..Appreciate the links also.I found a peice of big nickel I like or brass...
Thanks Quigley..Its growin on me more and more.. Big Ugly..Thanks for the temper tip..I did it let it cool,then put the blade on an Arkansas stone,followed by a big porcelin stick I use to final finish my skinning and boning knives.... I was wondering if anyone knew a good leathersmith that could make me a sheath for this thing??? BTW Quigley..I think you spoke with Poach..The HB is ran by the founders and admins,but I do have some say so around there..lol It is a go and you can use it for that purpose..I can`t get around having to register but feel free to pass the word.Its a derned good idea to use a rally point.. TG
Next time you need brass, check with a music store that repairs band instruments, they will have something laying around ussually.
Yup..thanks SeaCowboys..I figured that a machine shop could probably get it for me... Thanks E.L. I popped that big feller with that 45-70 laying on top of him and a 300 grain Hornady HP in one of my handloads..He never took a step when that bullet hit him....
I was looking at a 45-70 a lot like yours the other day and thinking it would make a fantastic hog gun. I may have to add it to the wish list.
