|
|
Post by moosehead on Jul 28, 2005 3:18:28 GMT -5
I dont know about all of you but I dont really care to go spend a fortune on a special knife for all the different things to cut... so I make my own.
I just thought I would give some of you do it your selfers an idea if you didnt already know.
I make alot of my knives out of old lawn mower blades.... from small to very large.
I actually have made some really really nice * bush choppers* out of blades that I pulled off my finishing mower that i pull behind my tractor, from 2 foot to larger.
the mower blades are already hardend so no heat treating is required... just mark out the shape of the blade and grind it out... the handles can be made from simple 2x4 lumber or any other lumber stock you have laying around.
the main tools you would really need are a hand grinder and a drill moter.... you can use the grinder to cut the pattern out and rough sharpen your blade... and the drill moter is for drilling holes to bolt your handle on....
it would be nice to have a belt sander to do finish touches on the blade and to sand down your handle... but you dont have to have one to make the knife or chopper.
all in all you can make some really strong and great looking knives for really cheap.... as long as you get the mower blades for free or use the ones you have already used on your mowers...
|
|
|
|
Post by Kristianna on Jul 28, 2005 18:42:11 GMT -5
What a great idea! I'd never have thought of it. I love to recycle, though, and this is a perfect way to recycle old mower blades.
Do you have a way to post photos of any of your homemade knives? I'd love to see some photos.
K
|
|
|
|
Post by moosehead on Jul 29, 2005 0:14:43 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Washkeeton on Jul 29, 2005 14:13:10 GMT -5
I am impressed. Would never of thought you could do that. I am really impressed. Love the little one. How do you attach the handle and the metal so it doesnt come appart?
|
|
|
|
Post by moosehead on Jul 30, 2005 8:05:09 GMT -5
Thanks,
there are alot of different ways to secure the handle to the knife... it also depends on what type of handle you use.
for a solid bone or antler handle like the small knife in the picture you can either drill a hole length wise thru one end and use a rotary tool to hollow the inside out to match the handle end of the blade and then slide them together and use epoxy glue or special knife handle bolts *jewelers bolts* that can be ordered from knife maker suppliers. * I generally use both for those types of handles*
Or you can split the bone antler handle into two pieces length wise. after that you can use a rotary tool to cut a groove into each side so that when the handle and the blade are attached the bone handle would be flush. when doing this you also use epoxy and bolts. * to cut the handle into two pieces I advise a band saw or scroll saw... using a handsaw maybe a bit tough and the cut may not be straight if not done properly*
if you use wooden handles which are more common *because of the different woods that could be used* you would normally just use two flat pieces of wood and sand them to the same size as the blade shaft or handle end of the blade and bolt them together.
another common way and really easy way to make a handle would be to use small cord or leather strings. when doing this you would have to use a Japanese knot type of tyeing to cover the handle. this type of handle is very common among Japanese katana's or swords. almost any braiding or knot tyeing book has the knots and braiding information needed to make a handle like that.
If you want to get fancy you can use metal wire as a handle... but you would have to know alot about braiding and soldering and also have alot of patience for that. But if you want to do it that way you could order gold and silver or nickle wire and its basically a twist method that I use. generally i use a 3 strand but sometimes i will just use two wires. then I twist those together. Then I use two or three twisted wires to braid onto the handle. when doing this I also drill a bunch of holes thru the shaft end of the handle not just to have something for the wire to go thru but also the reduce weight on the handle end of the knife. When doing this type of knife it can really start running the price of the knife up... and also the time spent on making it.
If you just use a wooden or bone handle you can have just as nice a knife with hardly no cost at all.
you can also just use really small nuts and bolts from a hardware store to secure the handles too... they don't look as nice but it can be done.... just drill the hole the size of the bolts... and then with a bit the size of the bolt head and nut counter sink the hole alittle to make the nut and bolt flush with the outside of the handle. just don't leave anything sticking out... you wouldn't believe how much damage alittle knick on a handle would do to bare hands lol.
Oh yeah I also didn't mention before... but if you want your knives to really look nice and professional get a stationary belt sander... not only can you use it to sharpen your knives but you can use it to sand out all the knicks and scratches off the blades... start with a 80 grit paper and then use a 120 grit to make it look nice...then if you want it to really shine use a metal grit polish on it... when done you can use it for a mirror! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Kristianna on Jul 31, 2005 8:47:46 GMT -5
Thanks so much for posting photos, Moosehead! Those knives are fantastic! I am also impressed. So, if we were out in the bush and we somehow got an old mower out there, we could dissect an old push mower by making a generator from the motor and knives from the blades!  |
|
jd
Musher
Posts: 26
|
Post by jd on Mar 3, 2006 15:49:50 GMT -5
And if ya get a bit wistful for pretty, our own Kritter lives in Arkansas, where she and her hubby custom mill walnut, cherry and other wood on a shares basis. Bet she would sell little chunks, or heck, walnut boards if ya just go wild. In fact, I'm a customer. Get to know this lady, she is cool, and has been there and done that.
JD
|
|
