Thanks for the link. Those steel bars are expensive ! Are they already heat treated or do you need to heat treat again after shaping the knife?

Also has anyone tried using scrap metal like truck leaf springs or something like that?

See my sig link for knife making info.

Thanks

knotslip - No files or anything else, just the washer as a stop so I can get the plunge going evenly on both sides. The plunge was the most difficult for me when I first started, but after 4 sets of plunges, I learned a lot and improved more each time. Really it just takes time on the grinder.

southstar - They do not come heat treated, so it is required after grinding. People make simple little brick furnaces and use little toaster ovens to heat treat and temper O-1. Prices are not bad at KBC, for a 5/32 x 1 1/2 x 18" bar of A-2, it cost $22.90. At Pop's it cost $34 for the same size in O-1. Luckily, I live close enough to KBC that I can drive over and pick up the steel. Here's a full list of all the A-2 they carry: http://www.kbctools.com/usa/Navigation/NavPDF.cfm?PDFPage=784

Thanksfor the link.

This is my second knife MrPink - I just finished profiling it. It's 1/8" D2 steel.


[img][image]http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i227/KevinG3/second_Knife.jpg[/img][/image]


Lots yet to go but I'm happy with it so far...Hope I can get my plunges to look as good as yours though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

nice work, ks! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Looking good so far KS, can't wait to see it finished! It reminds me of the DM, and should be a good slicer at 1/8".

Another tip with the plunge is to start it further up in the front then you intend. At least that worked out better for me because I made some mistakes and was able to fix it by bringing the plunge back slightly.

Almost done with my general utility knife! Still need to smooth down the pins, hand sand the micarta, polish the spine, and get the edge hair popping sharp.







I love canvas micarta, soft, grippy, and very tacky when wet.

Apparently Mercedes and I think its Volvo truck/bus leaf springs are the metal of choice for HI Kukris. I think they have info on that on their site. I also have the same info from a friend who went trekking in Nepal in the 80s and bought us back traditional local Kukris.

That looks very good Mr Pink. Like the full convex. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Looks like a great size for a general use utility knife too. Good work! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />