First Proper DIY knife

[kshitij]

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[kshitij]

Images

[xl_target]

Great work kshitij!

[najad]

Good work

[kshitij]

@xl_target, najad: thanks guys

Have made arrangements for getting the bevel done along with heat treatment and tempering, it should be done over the weekend.

The guy who does the brass and antique copper finish on stainless steel is located in bombay central, so that will take some time as i dont go there often. (Details of alternate sources for this will be highly appreciated)

Loved the way the knife feels in the hand. Already planing to make a few more. Want a few with different types of wooden handles and one with a carbon fibre textured handle. Will keep posting pictures as the work progresses....

Once again must thank essdee for giving me this wonderful idea. Having a blast working on this project!

[Ilarum]

Good to see a fellow Autocad user here, Kshitij..
Amazing workmanship..
I am getting to learn a lot from you guys.
I got a similar friction folder last year.
I had always wanted to try out this design, maybe my next knife will be one.
How did you cut the blade though?


Murali

[painn]

@kshitij

Wonderful stuff! I wouldn't worry about the antique finish, they look superb as they are.

Btw, any thoughts on heat treatment to harden/temper the blades?

(Final, perhaps impolite question: will you be sharing the joy with us ordinary mortals?)

[kshitij]

Good to see a fellow Autocad user here, Kshitij..
Amazing workmanship..
I am getting to learn a lot from you guys.
I got a similar friction folder last year.
I had always wanted to try out this design, maybe my next knife will be one.
How did you cut the blade though?


Murali

Hi,

I guess the main skill here is getting the CAD design right along with the propotions so that all the parts fit seemlessly. The design for this knife was spot on, millimetre perfect! Also the knife looks and feels like a production model rather than a one off piece.

I used a cnc laser to cut the blades and the handles. In all it must have taken about 3 odd mins to cut everything.

Extremely happy with the outcome.

Look forward to seeing your knives soon

[kshitij]

@kshitij

Wonderful stuff! I wouldn't worry about the antique finish, they look superb as they are.

Btw, any thoughts on heat treatment to harden/temper the blades?

(Final, perhaps impolite question: will you be sharing the joy with us ordinary mortals?)

Thanks buddy.

This knife is so simple and handy. If time permits, i plan to make myself a few with different finishes in the handle such as wood, metal, acrylic and maybe mircata if i can manage it. Also plan to have few of those knives with a tanto, serrated and upswept blade.

I have arranged to get the blades bevelled, heat treated and tempered. Though this may take time because of the upcoming festivities.

About your last question, I didnt quite get you buddy. I am already sharing the joy of making these with you guys. Will post pictures as work progresses. Hope this is what you were asking as i see nothing impolite in this. If not, please excuse my lack of understanding and clarify

p.s. i am mortal too, else i'd be forging hair splitting sharp katanas instead of making small little folders

[painn]

@kshitij

About your last question, I didnt quite get you buddy. I am already sharing the joy of making these with you guys. Will post pictures as work progresses. Hope this is what you were asking as i see nothing impolite in this. If not, please excuse my lack of understanding and clarify

What I meant was how could I get hold of one?

Btw, I have an Opinel No 9. Love it. An authentic peasant's knife.

[kshitij]

@painn, i have not even fully completed making one for myself yet

Donno if the heat treat and blade edge will come out right. Cant see any flaws in the design but i am not absolutely certain of it either.

So once i have the above sorted and i have tired it out in a few design combinations, I will surely send one to you. After all, you are the first person asking me for it

[timmy]

kshitij, these are looking nice!

How does this fellow apply a brass and copper finish? Does he electroplate?

I also wonder if, on the steel sided one, you could apply thin panels of aluminum? Either under the screws or maybe even with some kind of epoxy? With aluminum, you could paint parts of it with an acid resistant material and then dip or soak it in acid to apply a design. But, I realize, aluminum isn't going to be super-durable for retention of a design. Slabs of rosewood might be nice, too. I'm just thinking...

But these look pretty nice as they are. Hope your heat treating goes well. Then you can start to shave!

[kshitij]

kshitij, these are looking nice!

How does this fellow apply a brass and copper finish? Does he electroplate?

I also wonder if, on the steel sided one, you could apply thin panels of aluminum? Either under the screws or maybe even with some kind of epoxy? With aluminum, you could paint parts of it with an acid resistant material and then dip or soak it in acid to apply a design. But, I realize, aluminum isn't going to be super-durable for retention of a design. Slabs of rosewood might be nice, too. I'm just thinking...

But these look pretty nice as they are. Hope your heat treating goes well. Then you can start to shave!

Hi timmy,

Yup, the brass and copper is applied via a electroplating process.

The aluminum handles are a good idea. Specially since they can be anodized and etched on but like you mentioned aluminum isnt really ideal for hard use. Have already spoken to my carpenter to arrange for different good quality wood pieces for the handle.

Unfortunately with the festivities coming up, no one seems to be keen on getting work done in a jiffy and i dont think any of the work assigned to these guys is gonna fructify before next weekend. So in the mean time i have taken up the painfully slow process of hand filing the bevels on one of the spare blades. It seemed like a good idea since the wife is at my in-laws and I was alone at home on a sunday, but two hours into it and I am starting to feel otherwise

[painn]

@painn, i have not even fully completed making one for myself yet

Donno if the heat treat and blade edge will come out right. Cant see any flaws in the design but i am not absolutely certain of it either.

So once i have the above sorted and i have tired it out in a few design combinations, I will surely send one to you. After all, you are the first person asking me for it

Thanks. Will be thrilled.

On the heat treatment, take a look at http://www.smt.sandvik.com/en-in/produc ... s%20method if you have not done so already.

I'm not sure, but the electroplating might improve looks at the cost of the quality of the blade.

[kshitij]

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