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D.Tschida

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Decided to try my hand at some blade making. I've ordered and received all my basic supplies that I didn't already have. I will be doing everything with pretty much hand tools to start. Also have all my other supplies needed I believe. I'll be making my first blade from 01 steel and have brass pins and micarta for the handle. Last night i started putting together my basic forge that I will use to do the heat treating, not the prettiest thing but I think it turned out alright (hasn't been tested so we will see:les:)

Forge1.jpgforge2.jpgforge3.jpg
 
Dude... you have no idea what you've started!!! Life as you know it is done lol... welcome to the lifestyle


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Haha I believe you are correct sir! It is a lot of fun, I've got my first one almost ready to heat treat over the weekend. I'm sure there is plenty wrong with it and boy is it a pain in the a$$ hand filing everything, but I welcome any guidance! I'm actually just surprised it came out looking like a knife, I thought the first one would be getting tossed into the woods for sure!

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D.Tschida said:
Haha I believe you are correct sir! It is a lot of fun, I've got my first one almost ready to heat treat over the weekend. I'm sure there is plenty wrong with it and boy is it a pain in the a$$ hand filing everything, but I welcome any guidance! I'm actually just surprised it came out looking like a knife, I thought the first one would be getting tossed into the woods for sure!

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That's beautiful! Hand filing is tough, but every time I have ever screwed one up... which is basically every one thus far ... I regretted not using files more. So much easier to control. Keep us updated through the HT process. Awesome so far!!!


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That looks real nice!

Remember to mail your wife a "hello honey" card from your shop occasionally....lol.
 
Thanks for the encouragement fellas! It is certainly a learning curve. And its funny you should say that Smallshop, I already had to tell her I was making this one for her HAHA, I think I'm gonna run out of excuses pretty quick! Here's a picture from last nights progress. Etched, hardened and tempered. Now if anyone's got some good tips on shaping micarta scales without burning them up, basic hand tools and grinder/sanders at my disposal, no belt grinder.
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D.Tschida said:
Thanks for the encouragement fellas! It is certainly a learning curve. And its funny you should say that Smallshop, I already had to tell her I was making this one for her HAHA, I think I'm gonna run out of excuses pretty quick! Here's a picture from last nights progress. Etched, hardened and tempered. Now if anyone's got some good tips on shaping micarta scales without burning them up, basic hand tools and grinder/sanders at my disposal, no belt grinder.
View attachment 61055
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Awesome! Can't wait to see further progress


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The best advice I ever got regarding finishing the handle is to always use fresh, sharp sandpaper. You handles will look soooooo much better.
Where abouts in MN are you from?
 
Jim Moenck said:
The best advice I ever got regarding finishing the handle is to always use fresh, sharp sandpaper. You handles will look soooooo much better.
Where abouts in MN are you from?
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Sounds good, I've got plenty of that. Probably just cut it out with the hack saw and go nice a slow. Probably should have gone with wood for the first one, seems more forgiving.
I live about an hour north of the cities, lindstrom/center city area.
 
Looking good! Keep at it, I made my first 3 knives with nothing but files. Micarta is not to bad to work with it files pretty good. Knock the edges off with files and back some 60-120 grit sand paper with duct tape, cut it in 1" strips or so and clamp the blade in the vise(wrapped in leather) then shoe shine the spine to get a nice rounding to it.
 
Justin Presson said:
Looking good! Keep at it, I made my first 3 knives with nothing but files. Micarta is not to bad to work with it files pretty good. Knock the edges off with files and back some 60-120 grit sand paper with duct tape, cut it in 1" strips or so and clamp the blade in the vise(wrapped in leather) then shoe shine the spine to get a nice rounding to it.
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Thanks Justin, and I appreciate the tips I will be giving it a try this evening to finish the knife off. Do you not recommend going above a 120 grit on the micarta so there is some roughness left for grip?? I wasn't expecting it to be so smooth and shiny when I received them. Also browsed your instagram page you have listed there, some awesome looking work!
 
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