I posted a photo of an anvil I purchased a while ago to make knives and have finally started completing a few. I am looking for feedback on my current designs to see what you guys like and what you think I can improve on. I am currently using 1095 steel and utilizing a stock removal method, not yet forging. I am using an oxy-acetylene torch and light oil for the heat treat process before quenching in an oven. So far, I have had good results with toughness and edge holding. The steel that I have been using is 1/4", so that could be tricking me into thinking the toughness is better than my heat treat actually makes it. Anyway, here are the pictures. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
These were the first 2 that I made and had friends test out. One is still out, the other tested well with the first tester who included some batoning, throwing, stabbing/prying in wood in an effort to hollow out a portion for fire starting. The biggest issue that was seen was the wrap was too loose and the finger guard was not deep enough, leaving his hand susceptible to slipping up into the blade. The next tester, at my request, was able to bend the knife by wedging it in the fork of a mature tree and using all his weight and pulling strength. I have since restraightened it, re-heat treated it, and sharpened it up for one last round. Then I will break it to inspect the crystal and see how the heat treat did.
This next one was a very similar overall design but I lengthened the blade slightly and also tilted it slightly forward, giving it more of a natural thrusting feel. It is also being tested although I haven't received any feedback yet.
This last one is a completely new design that I started from the ground up. I made sure to address the guard, making it bigger to protect hands. I also curved the blade further down, making it much less of a thrusting knife and more of a slicer. I tested this blade on some 1-1.5 inch sticks laying around and it performed admirably. It has also been sent with a friend with instructions to abuse it beyond what he would do with a knife he owns so I can see where it will fail.
I appreaciate any and all feedback.
It has been a while since I have posted on this site but thought I'd come back and hang out with the knife guys for a while to see if I will warm up to it again. Thanks for looking.
These were the first 2 that I made and had friends test out. One is still out, the other tested well with the first tester who included some batoning, throwing, stabbing/prying in wood in an effort to hollow out a portion for fire starting. The biggest issue that was seen was the wrap was too loose and the finger guard was not deep enough, leaving his hand susceptible to slipping up into the blade. The next tester, at my request, was able to bend the knife by wedging it in the fork of a mature tree and using all his weight and pulling strength. I have since restraightened it, re-heat treated it, and sharpened it up for one last round. Then I will break it to inspect the crystal and see how the heat treat did.
This next one was a very similar overall design but I lengthened the blade slightly and also tilted it slightly forward, giving it more of a natural thrusting feel. It is also being tested although I haven't received any feedback yet.
This last one is a completely new design that I started from the ground up. I made sure to address the guard, making it bigger to protect hands. I also curved the blade further down, making it much less of a thrusting knife and more of a slicer. I tested this blade on some 1-1.5 inch sticks laying around and it performed admirably. It has also been sent with a friend with instructions to abuse it beyond what he would do with a knife he owns so I can see where it will fail.
I appreaciate any and all feedback.
It has been a while since I have posted on this site but thought I'd come back and hang out with the knife guys for a while to see if I will warm up to it again. Thanks for looking.
