Some knives I put together

[sampotter]

Here are some knives I put together as groomsman gifts for my brothers and friend. The blades are Western USA L66 blanks that I found on ebay. I crafted the handles myself and fitted/finished the sheaths as well. The acid etching was a fun process; battery charger on 200 amps, a little finger nail polish, a q-tip, and some heavy duty acid... The next step will be to make the blades by hand as well, but this was a fun intro into knife making.

 

This is what they looked like before I started:

 

 

The top one is an original L66 that has seen years of use. The next one down is the 1st one I made using antler and mahogany. There are some mistakes (2 different antlers used, so 2 different colors, etc.), so I kept this one for myself. The bottom one was the 2nd one I put together. I used antler and buckthorn. The buckthorn is an interesting wood to work with, but doesn't contrast as nicely with the antler. The one that is 2nd from bottom was the 4th one I put together. I'm not normally a big fan of handles made out of one piece of antler, but the piece I used was pretty straight, so I gave it a go.

 

 

This was the 3rd one I did, using antler and Ipe, a very dense South American wood. I like the contrast a lot. This particular antler was one my younger brother found when he was 10 years old or so. I regrettably broke tines off it using it for rattling, so I used what was left of it for my brother's knife. I figured it was the least I could do..

 

 

Not a really good picture of one of the sheaths, but high quality full-grain cowhide. It's a process to get them fitted properly to the knife, but well worth it.

 

 

It was tempting to get carried away with the acid etching... I ended up putting a silhouette image on each side of the knives. My best man is a bird hunter first and foremost and he always has a pointer riding shotgun, so this was what I did for him:

 

 

 

Some of the other etchings:

 

 

 

[Big Indian]

Beautiful work

[MountainHunter]

Very nice! To have a gift that you put so much thought and effort into is a special thing.

[Elmo]

Where's mine?  Nice work!

[ny hunter]

Really nice work.....Where do I put in an order........

[coonhunter]

Nice work, especially for your first time trying a few different processes. Also, hell of a good friend and brother to take the time and effort to make these gifts. Beats the hell out of most wedding party gifts.

[stoneam2006]

They look great...were the blanks heat treated or did you do that also?

[132 eight pointer]

What a unique gift they look fantastic. I used my father's L66 that is about 60 years old this year to field dress a couple of deer. I have to remember to keep it oiled so that it doesn't get any rust spots on it. I love classic American hunting knives. There used to be so many cutlery companies in and around N.Y. State.Nice to see your post.

[Paula]

Very nice work Sam!

[grampy]

Nothing means more than a gift that was made by the givers own hands. Great job on some beautiful knives. I'm certain they will be cherished for a lifetime.

[NFA-ADK]

Very Nice!

[nyantler]

Love 'em... great old school look!

[DarrenB]

Very nice work!

 

[Terry]

Very nice!

[landtracdeerhunter]

I always liked the unique look of wood and antler. One of a kind. Soon you're be cutting blanks out of raw steel stock. forge that steel till it nonmagnetic, and sharpen and buff till they glow, LOL. .

[sampotter]

Thanks for the compliments. There certainly is a learning curve. The blades are already heat treated, so for the most part they were ready to go to work. The next step will be to make one from scratch. I already know where there are some 100+ year old leaf springs from a buggy. File knives are interesting too.

[Pygmy]

I have a knife that looks very similar to your older Western knife..

The blade says " Official Boy Scouts of America" on one side and " Made in USA Patented" on the other side.

Any of you knife guys know who manufactured the Boy Scout Knives ?

[VT Outfitter]

Very nice workmanship. I Love the etching.

[landtracdeerhunter]

I have a knife that looks very similar to your older Western knife..

The blade says " Official Boy Scouts of America" on one side and " Made in USA Patented" on the other side.

Any of you knife guys know who manufactured the Boy Scout Knives ?

 

Western Cutlery Company in Boulder Colorada. Most all BSA knives have Official Boy Scouts of America name and logo on one side. The other are stamped Western Boulder Colorado, made in USA. on the other.  Overall 8.5 inches; blade length 4.5"; stacked leather handle ( # 1378).  Brass bolster and guard.  I have seen some scales with faux stag also.

 

 

Edit: I understand BSA. is banning all fixed blade knives this year.

Edited January 27, 2015 by landtracdeerhunter