Some new knives in my collection (pic heavy)

[Moin.]

moin...thats a wonderful project that you have started.

please dont stop till you have finished...have an issue with waiting
my two cents: how do you feel about a slightly curved handle. greatly improves the aesthetics and handling of the knife. i would also suggest that you add a butt cap.

if its ok with you, i will make a leather sheath for it. all you need to do is send a cardboard model of the finished knife to me.

the orbital sander is a good choice for finishing and polishing. it removes metal much slower than a rotary grinder and hence gives greater control. not a good choice if you plan to grind bevels onto a knife blank. an angle grinder is better suited for the latter.

P.S. the dremel rotary tool is just wonderful. go for the Dremel 3000 or 4000 model. see if you have someone buy it in USA (HOMEDEPOT) and bring it down. the Dremel 3000 costs about USD 50~60 as compared to USD 120 ~ 140 here. you will need a step down transformer (cost ~ Rs.1000) to bring voltage from 240 to 120.

Three Cheers to you Sir .Like I said earlier, your works here have inspired the itch in me to try it out. Have'nt really given any thought on the handle yet. Have some ideas for the blade first. I want to add brass stiffners on the spine of the knife. Check this link out by Custom Blade Maker Gil Hibben who's done knifes for teh Rambo Series as well. The Brass Stiffners on teh spine will add the bulk and the polished golden metal will be a very nice contrast to the otherwise rough finsih of the rest of the blade.

http://www.hibbenknives.com/expendables.htm

I did see some Bowies on the net with teh curved handle you are referrring to. I have an old broken deer antler lying around which I can probably try & use. Alternatively I was also thinking of using white Corian for the handle slabs (only becuase it is being used on my current interior site and is availble for free for all R&D ) I'll take some pics & post

I too was keen on teh orbital sander as it is so handy to use and small to store. I'm not sure though if the wheels for this type of work will be availble for the orbital sander. These are used on my sites for polishing of PU and Lamination done on veneers. I tried and is very easy to use and not that expensive to buy.

Since you and Bruno have recommended Dremel, I will have a quick Looky look to see if it's availble at Lohar Chawl.

And that's a very generous offer on the sheath. Will send you the blade surely, for a good quality sheath, but will also takee your guidance on doing it myself. Feed a man fish, you feed him once, teach a man to fish, you feed him for life....

Best Regards
Moin.

[essdee1972]

Moin, Dremel with sundry attachments is available at Home Town Vikhroli (since you are in Mumbai), for about 9K INR. (unfortunately, I am always accompanied by the better half, and she gives me the sort of glare, which every married man knows, whenever I pick up the Dremel!!!) Go to the first floor, near the bathroom fittings & electricals section, it's in the shelves opposite them. Should be available in other Home Town outlets also. Lohar Chawl would probably be cheaper, but without warranty, etc. I think I have also seen it in Dadar Market (going from the temple in the centre towards Portuguese Church) - there are a lot of tool / hardware stores in that place. I think there are some grinders you can fit in a standard drill machine also, which will bring down the costs - Bosch / Skil drill will be about 2.5 K INR.
Another suggestion - stick to a slower grinder (like orbital) for the bevel - high grinding speeds generate a lot of heat, which MIGHT impact the original heat treatment of the steel, and dipping into water, like the local guys do, makes it worse! Unless you are working with high-speed tool steels, in which case you'll need diamond tipped stuff on your grinders.
For your knife, what steel are you using? I am trying for some spring steel, haven't managed it yet!

All the best for the project!

EssDee

[Moin.]

Here's the Corian I am referring to for the handle. The material is very easy to file and polish with emery paper, glues easily and the joints are seamless. It is used in office interiors as a substitute for granite for making counter tops, table tops for reception desks etc. Can give it the weathered look to try and make it look like Ivory.

[Moin.]

Moin, Dremel with sundry attachments is available at Home Town Vikhroli (since you are in Mumbai), for about 9K INR. (unfortunately, I am always accompanied by the better half, and she gives me the sort of glare, which every married man knows, whenever I pick up the Dremel!!!) Go to the first floor, near the bathroom fittings & electricals section, it's in the shelves opposite them. Should be available in other Home Town outlets also. Lohar Chawl would probably be cheaper, but without warranty, etc. I think I have also seen it in Dadar Market (going from the temple in the centre towards Portuguese Church) - there are a lot of tool / hardware stores in that place. I think there are some grinders you can fit in a standard drill machine also, which will bring down the costs - Bosch / Skil drill will be about 2.5 K INR.
Another suggestion - stick to a slower grinder (like orbital) for the bevel - high grinding speeds generate a lot of heat, which MIGHT impact the original heat treatment of the steel, and dipping into water, like the local guys do, makes it worse! Unless you are working with high-speed tool steels, in which case you'll need diamond tipped stuff on your grinders.
For your knife, what steel are you using? I am trying for some spring steel, haven't managed it yet!

All the best for the project!

EssDee

Thanks EssDee, my fellow mumbaikar. :mrgreen:Lucky me I'm still a bachelor Will check out Hometown, 9k's a bit expensive to experiment with. I'll start off with a orbital sander and see how things go. I'm using the bowie type of knife as a baseline to work on. It's already forged and heat treated, matter of polishing, putting an edge bevel and the handle to start off with. Once I'm confident with working on this knife, can try out other things and buy more tools.

[sa_ali]

arrows from a Rajasthani Stall @ INR 35/each, those are steal man.

You are truly chasing your dream, good, best of luck Bro. indeed lucky to have realized your dream and chasing it before marriage.

Do keep us posted on these projects, looking foreward to them

[Yaj]

http://www.ebay.in/itm/DREMEL-300-ROTAR ... 3cc101db8e
Its available here Moin.I had bought this (Flexishaft included)for about 4000/- at the Metro mart about a year back but they have closed down their tool section last time i visited.
Regards,
Yaj.

[Rajat]

the orbital sander is a good choice for finishing and polishing. it removes metal much slower than a rotary grinder and hence gives greater control. not a good choice if you plan to grind bevels onto a knife blank. an angle grinder is better suited for the latter.
Best Regards
Moin.

Some good advice from Essdee.

Do not go in for the orbital sander it will be pretty much useless on Metal and it is not a versatile tool. However I will be able to comment further if I know which model you are referring to.

Go in for a simple angle grinder from Bosch or Hitachi or some decent Chinese company. Even the Chinese one will last you for a few years as you will not be using it for a few hours every day. A variable speed control will be helpful. Various attachments are available to suit all your needs right from cutting, grinding, beveling to polishing. Although not recommended may be used for sharpening too. It is a very versatile tool. Amy be used on Metal, wood as well as stone.

It will be available in the range of 4500 to 1500 RS.

If you have any questions then please feel free to ask and I will answer to the best of my knowledge which is based on practical usage.

[Rajat]

I've tried a few grinders on my sites used by workers for polishing marble/granite mouldings, cutting etc. Most of teh grinders by Electrex or Bosch are too heavy and bulky. Was thinking of maybe an orbital sander, it's much smaller and easier to use.

I guess the angle grinders you have handled were the 180-230 mm diameter ones. These typically weigh around 4-5 Kgs. Too heavy!

I am referring to the 100-125 MM diameter ones like the GWS 6-115. These are much lighter, easy to use and will suit the purpose. The weight is around 1.5 Kg only.

[Moin.]

arrows from a Rajasthani Stall @ INR 35/each, those are steal man.

You are truly chasing your dream, good, best of luck Bro. indeed lucky to have realized your dream and chasing it before marriage.

Do keep us posted on these projects, looking foreward to them

Absolutely, lucky indeed sa-ali. Thank you for your kind words. Keep watching this space for more.

Regards
Moin.

[Moin.]

http://www.ebay.in/itm/DREMEL-300-ROTAR ... 3cc101db8e
Its available here Moin.I had bought this (Flexishaft included)for about 4000/- at the Metro mart about a year back but they have closed down their tool section last time i visited.
Regards,
Yaj.

Thanks a lot Yaj, I saw some videos on youtube. I sthe motor of the dremel tool powerful enough to work on metal. The attatchments that come in with teh dremel seemed very small for any kind of work. Since you use this tool, please let me know what the capabilities are and what you use it for. I've seen you've posted some pics of your khukris with a lovely mirror polish. Did you do it with the Dremel Tool. I saw some online priced for about 5.5 to 6k. MIght be priced similarly in Lohar Chawl.

Thanks
Moin.

[Moin.]

I've tried a few grinders on my sites used by workers for polishing marble/granite mouldings, cutting etc. Most of teh grinders by Electrex or Bosch are too heavy and bulky. Was thinking of maybe an orbital sander, it's much smaller and easier to use.

I guess the angle grinders you have handled were the 180-230 mm diameter ones. These typically weigh around 4-5 Kgs. Too heavy!

I am referring to the 100-125 MM diameter ones like the GWS 6-115. These are much lighter, easy to use and will suit the purpose. The weight is around 1.5 Kg only.

Absolutely Rajat, the very reason to be active in IFG is for guidance readily available from people like yourself, Katanji, Bruno et all. So thank you as always. I know a few good stores where these tools are available. I'll have a feel of both the Dremel and the angle grinders from Bosh and Electrex and take a call. The advantage of the angle grinders is a whole variety of blades for every kind of possible use and have seen them in action on my sites. Came to know about the Dremel Tool here, so want to handle both and then decide.

Best Regards
Moin.

[Yaj]

Thanks a lot Yaj, I saw some videos on youtube. I sthe motor of the dremel tool powerful enough to work on metal. The attatchments that come in with teh dremel seemed very small for any kind of work. Since you use this tool, please let me know what the capabilities are and what you use it for. I've seen you've posted some pics of your khukris with a lovely mirror polish. Did you do it with the Dremel Tool. I saw some online priced for about 5.5 to 6k. MIght be priced similarly in Lohar Chawl.

Thanks
Moin.

The motor of the dremel (with its numerous optional attachments) can be used for numerous DIY stuff round the house.It can cut metal, be used to put a bevel on an edge, grind and smooth irregular sharp edges. Its advantage is it can be used to do fine work which would be difficult with an angle grinder.The motor is not the problem but if you require heavy cutting you may have to buy reinforced cutting discs.
I use it to grind my dogs nails too .Fast and no injury to the quick.

But if you want to do heavy stock removal your best bet would be a bench grinder.Something in the 2500-5000 range would be more than adequate. Considering your interest in knifemaking that would be a good investment.
My Khukris are from Himalayan imports and they come with that mirror finish.
Regards,
Yaj.

[Bruno22]

You guys may like to take a look at this link...http://www.machpowertools.com/
Never used them before but they seem to stock plenty of tools including the range of Dremel tools and attachments.

[Moin.]

Thank you gents for all the above mentioned information. I did review the tools at Lohar Chawl and an angle grinder at the moment seems most appropriate for my use. Will pick up a Dewalt one in a day or two.

Here's are the pics of the Benchmade Griptilian 553 Tanto. Have'nt had the time to clean the blade and for a spray of WD 40. Will do so tomorrow. Enjoy the pics.





















With the Harem of Beauties.....

[choombak]

Moin, ensure you wipe out the excess wd40, else it picks up all kinds of dirt over time especially around the pivot.

I use wd40 only when the entire knife is rinsed with water - wd40 around the pivot displaces the excess water. If you are not rinsing it dont use wd40. A needle head amount of machine oil around the pivot and the blade is gtg.