I have never used one of my own knives on any of the deer, elk, bear, or antelope I've killed over the years. Sad, I know. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> Our firearm deer season opens tomorrow and I told my wife this year, I'm field dressing my deer with one of my own knives.
So I took a couple days and and finished one for myself to use. It's kind of surprising, this knife isn't the steel or the wood that I thought I'd use for my own hunter but I love it just the same. I will use this knife as research and practice.
I used 1095 for the steel because I wanted to give it a real world test and see how it holds up with my heat treat on it. I chose curly claro walnut for the handle because it is a really nice piece and walnut just seems to be classically associated with hunting (on fine rifles and such). Plus, after the season, I will use this knife to practice some checkering on and I think the bold curly figure will look really cool showing through the checkering. I put some of my .45-70 rounds in the picture because it's my favorite rifle cartridge and I've killed a lot of things with that rifle. The damascus collar looks a lot better in person. I had a hard time getting good photos of that.
Specs:
Hand forged from 1095 steel, clay quenched and etched dark
7 7/8" overall, 3 5/8" blade, 3 1/4" actual sharp edge, .195 thick at the ricasso with sharp distal taper
False edge not sharp
Heavily rounded spine and ricasso edge
My own damascus collar
Curly claro walnut handle with oil finish
Stainless steel checkered finial (I am NOT going to be making a matching damascus finial <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//biggrin.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />, It's for my own knife and I really didn't have the extra time and recessed like that, I don't see much point, especially checkered)
All comments, discussion and critique welcome.
Very nice John. I have made a few that were very similar. I hope it serves you well. It should be a real cutter. Let us know how it works for you. Again excellent work.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
Nice work! I'm wondering how you finish your blades. How many etching cycles, polishing steps etc?
Chrs
I really like your work, John. Very clean and classy. The rounded spine and fluted collars are a very nice touch as well. Great attention to detail.
Maybe a deeper etch would have made the damascus stand out a bit more, and maybe the extra flute on the handle just behind the color draws some attention away, but overall I think it's very nicely done. Hope it gets to taste a big juicy backstrap soon!
Very nice! I like it. That should do the job nicely. It's always special when you field dress that first deer with your own creation. I hope your next photo of the knife has some deer blood on it.
BTW: I will be hunting with a 45/70 as well. Love the round.
All my best,
Gary
Nicely done, John.
I hope she sees action!
Karl B. Andersen
Journeyman Smith
John, you crafted a superb hunter! There isn't anything that I would have changed on it. 1 classy little Hunter!
Jim Fisher
John, Great looking Hunter!
Good Luck on your hunt!
Bob
Thanks guys. I appreciate all the feedback. I took a doe on Saturday. So far, that's all the action the knife saw. Worked great.
Great knife John!! I like it a lot!
You done good keeping such a nice knife for yourself. Good luck keeping it! Someone is going to want to buy it from you!
I wound up keeping the most dirt simple knife I make for my own personal hunter. Got tired of having guys buy the knife off my belt. LOL!!
Congrats on the deer. The 45/70 is a great caliber. I've always liked big bore guns.
