No. 19, SSK for my friend George..

[Gamez235]

Started this one a week or so ago, but just bought a house in South Carolina and was on the road finishing that deal up. With that, I spent some hours doing some contract work, so to speak, and then wanted to get this one finished...

No. 19 in the mix with the other blanks from this run..

Making metal shavings!

Bevel rough cutting.

All heated and baked to a good blend of hardness and a tenderness. Kinda like a good blues song..

Cleaning it up..

Fresh like a dryer load of clean towels..

Just waiting from the expoy to dry..

 

[Lammchop93]

Do you do all your own heat treating? If so, what do you use? I would love to have a small shop just to make knives for a hobby. I really like seeing all of these homemade knives.

 

[Gamez235]

Yes, I do the HT myself. I would not say it is something that everyone should just do. When I started I used a bean can forge and did a dozen or so pieces of metal learning which colors of the steel when heated were too hot or too cool. Then it was on to the soak and holding it properly for enough time. Then testing each of those pieces to ensure wit wasn't to hard/brittle or soft/wouldn't hold an edge.

I just got an oven (Even-heat) and am working on getting the process right for that. Although, easier due to the precise nature of the machine, it is still a work in progress as getting it right and making sure the recipe I have is dialed in.

It's ended up being way more work than I envisioned it when I started, but am glad I have stuck with it.

 

[DaKruiser]

You have made this look really easy Gamez, and each one gets better! You have some real talent, thanks for sharing!

 

[Gamez235]

Thanks man. I feel like I am struggling some days still. Having fun though. Got some scales shaped on this one tonight, sharpen and sheath tomorrow.

 

[sipherblitz]

cool looking.. tool steel?

 

[Lagrange]

That is a nice looking piece. What steel did you use for this one?