[Sam1911]

Hi!

John Shirley and I have been collaborating on a design for a new heavy-duty knife, capable of lots of wilderness tasks, and something very formidable should the need arise to protect one's self with a blade.

John's the inspiration here, and I'm working out the mechanics. :)

Blade is 0.262" 5160. Handles on this model are natural canvas micarta with black liners. The blade is convex ground and this one has been bright polished.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/Camp%20Defender/090911075.jpg

Blade is ~9" long, overall is about 15".

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/Camp%20Defender/090911069.jpg

We're calling this version "C.D. 1".

A "2" and "3" and possibly more versions are in the works.

Enjoy! :)

[stan rose]

Very nice. How wide is the blade?

[bikerdoc]

I like it.

Perhaps the B model could be a clip point and 5 inch blade?

[Sam1911]

I'll have to remeasure the widest point of this blade. I just can't recall at the moment. Something around 1-1/2".

[Sam1911]

Here is a comparison shot of CD1 and CD2. CD1 (pictured above) is the smaller of the two:

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/Camp%20Defender/072311025.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/Camp%20Defender/080811104.jpg

The plan is to also create CD3, which would have less of the bolo recurve at the guard, so be fuller and heavier throughout the blade. I have a piece of 3" wide 5160 for that.

[Sam1911]

Perhaps the B model could be a clip point and 5 inch blade?
There are plans for a 75% size version at ~7" blade. Maybe smaller would work too, depending on how things scale out.

[Sam1911]

I built a small blast forge for heat-treating.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/Camp%20Defender/072311003.jpg

These were hardened and then tempered three two-hour cycles at 375, aiming for a tough edge for chopping.

I guess it worked...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/Camp%20Defender/080811114.jpg

I tested CD2 by chopping through some 2x4s, but that didn't seem like any kind of real test, so I tackled a dry 4" cherry log. I could still shave with the edge afterward, so I guess that's decent enough for now.

(Just as a random thought: When chopping firewood with a knife, actual handles would be a big help. Owwww.)

[heron]

Very nice -- now you can leave the hatchet at home!

[hso]

I could still shave with the edge afterward, so I guess that's decent enough for now.

Ya think?!?

Nice work!

[Sam1911]

Ya think?!?
Well, I'm still a student on the path, you know? There's SO much information out there about the metallurgy of heat-treating, and one could be extremely easily daunted by concerns about proper soak times, overheating, minimizing grains size and all that stuff.

I'm still learning the difference between a GREAT blade, a good blade, an acceptable blade, and ... well, I guess I'd know if it had come out badly.

So, like I said, I guess it's decent enough for now! :)

Thanks for the kudos!

[hso]

You've exceeded one of the ABS smith test criteria (chop through 2X4 and shave) so I'd say you've done pretty well. Heck, look up the other objective criteria and see how it does.

[Wolfebyte]

ok, where is the "Like" button?????


very, very nice indeed..

[Sam1911]

:) Heh. Yeah, no "like" button, sorry. Guess you'll just have to come right out and say it! :D

[kayak-man]

Very nice!

Looks like it would be a pretty good back-country blade. Sounds like it holds its edge pretty well. How heavy is it (roughly)?

I'm excited to see the 75% sized one.

Great work, John and Sam!


Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

[R H Clark]

Good looking work.

[messerist]

Ya got my vote for one nice looking cutter!:)

[Jaymo]

Nice knife. Himalayan Imports has really spoiled me with 5160 steel. Their knives are great. I love their Khukuris.
I like your version with less bolo curve.
Chop wood and then butcher big game. Works for me.

[Bobson]

Wow, great looking knife, and seems to be exceptionally high quality. How long have you been making knives, Sam?

[Valkman]

He hasn't been making them long but his work is outstanding! Heh, we keep dumping work on him to keep him sharp! Pun there, sharp. lol

[Sam1911]

Oh, I think my first knife work was to put handles on and finish a fighter blade I got from Don (Valkman) about January of this year.

Actually ground my first blade this summer. With one thing and another keeping me from getting more stuff done, this one and the little "3-finger" knife in my other thread are (IIRC) the first two I've actually done start-to-finish from bar stock to polishing.

Glad you all like it, and thanks for the compliments!

[Malodorousroadkill]

Wow, that reminds me a bit of a TOPS Power Eagle. (http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?products_id=321) This looks spectacular! Going to be a custom only or a semi-production blade?

[Sam1911]

Wow, I like theirs too...though someone drive up here and shoot me if I ever call one of mine a "HAND-OPERATED FORCE MULTIPLIER!!!" :neener:

Eventually, when I get more of them made, I'll try to have them available as a production item, but right now it's just me doing this in my "free" time and it will be more of a custom thing. But that works well for me as there's a world of choices on length and handle material, etc.

The CD2 I'm working on this week is about to get black GunKote to contrast with jade G10 handles. Should be a quite striking combination!

Pics when it's ready, of course!

[19-3Ben]

I love those knives. major kudos to you!

[JShirley]

The Power Eagle is a pretty good-looking knife, also in 5160 and micarta, but it's more of a leaf-shaped blade, and the blade-to-handle angle is different. Sam's knife has a much straighter spine, while TOPS says the Power Eagle was inspired by both bolo and kukuri.

[Malodorousroadkill]

Didn't say totally the same. Personally, I think I like the looks of yours better. TOPs is a bit over the top. Man, you guys are giving me some serious food for thought on these. RK likey. If I have any monies left over after my next purchases, I see what I can scrounge up.

[messerist]

Please don't put a billboard on the side of your knife like the Power Eagle.:eek:

[Sam1911]

Billboard? I was thinking of printing the owner's manual there with a bunch of warnings about wearing safety glasses, ear muffs, steel-toed shoes, a hard-hat, fall protection harness, and an athletic supporter while using it.

Would that be ok.? (...Seems to work for Ruger...)



:D

[tarosean]

Billboard? I was thinking of printing the owner's manual there with a bunch of warnings about wearing safety glasses, ear muffs, steel-toed shoes, a hard-hat, fall protection harness, and an athletic supporter while using it.


errrrrr.... you left out gloves...

Nice work btw

[Sam1911]

Well, the wife finally chose a decent camera to puchase so here are some much better pics. Enjoy!

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/Camp%20Defender/IMG_0584.jpg

[Sam1911]

Obverse:

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/Camp%20Defender/IMG_0583.jpg

[Sam1911]

Showing the shine...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/Camp%20Defender/IMG_0585.jpg

[Sam1911]

Pointy, ain't it? :)

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/Camp%20Defender/IMG_0590.jpg

[Sam1911]

And a little "art" shot...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/Camp%20Defender/IMG_0588.jpg

[mdauben]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/Camp%20Defender/IMG_0588.jpg
Me like!

I actually like a smaller blade for 90% of my outdoor needs, but when I do use a bigger blade I like one with it's weight forward like that one. It's definitely something I would consider buying if it goes into production. :)

[JShirley]

Post 33 could be framed on my wall. Beautiful shot.

[Sam1911]

Post 33 could be framed on my wall. Beautiful shot.


Maybe if I'd kept my dumb mug (or maybe that's the camera on the tripod?) out of the reflection... DOH!

[sm]

Sam,

I am truly impressed!

[Sam1911]

I actually like a smaller blade for 90% of my outdoor needs

Me too, generally. These aren't necessarily a "DO IT ALL" blade. Though they can do a lot.

Tune in next month (sheesh, I hope) when I'll have something a little more general-purpose completed.

[Sam1911]

I am truly impressed!


:) Thank you!

[Jason_G]

Awesome job.

I made a bowie once that had a belly geometry almost identical to your CD2. It was a clip point though. It had a lot of forward weight for chopping. I imagine the drop point design would have even more.

Good work Sam.

Jason