I found an amazing human being who also happens to be a knifemaker. I have been building him up to a katana, which is a long term project. He has made some amazing blades for me in the past which I will share. Both functional as in regular use chef knives and multi purpose camping knives.
He made a traditional Japanese chef knife for my wifes shop and I was loving the tanto blade. That tip is just so functional and gets right into fine spots. As a valued customer he offered me a 2 for a great price deal. Now I had to make some decisions. I have lovely hunting knives. A magnificent tracker which for me is the most practical multi purpose camp knife. Insanely impressive chefs knives. So what would I go for. I don't have a dagger. But can't see myself ever using it. So it would end up a display. Not ideal. With two growing young boys that is a recipe for disaster so I lock the " never used " blades in a safe and we go through them now and again just to get the feeling again. So I searched and there are various families of a dagger ( ceremonial, fantasy and tactical. ). I happened on a tanto point tactical dagger/knife. Then a picture of a tanto chopper popped out and caught my interest. My choices were made. It was just down to the details. For the chopper I am going for a farriers rasp. If you look closely it has a nice detail on the back of the blade. I also like a bit of a rough look on my hard working blades. They are there to take a beating. Not look beautiful. For the tactical I decided on a high carbon treated to a blue finish. It adds protection to the blade so not so much maintenance. For the handles I decided on the same finish on both. Red and black G10 with a black liner. Can't wait to get these in my hands. Normally takes a month. See the idea pictures below
New project
Blades and triggers and Boys toys
So got the design of the blades from the Smith.
Happy with it.
We decided to go for a camo G10 on the chopper and the red and black G10 on the tactical. ( handle materiaI ) . I always enjoy following the build. We haven't discussed the sheath of each yet , but there is time. This Smith likes big blades. So I can just imagine that the tactical is going to have some decent weight on it similar to the chopper
Happy with it.
We decided to go for a camo G10 on the chopper and the red and black G10 on the tactical. ( handle materiaI ) . I always enjoy following the build. We haven't discussed the sheath of each yet , but there is time. This Smith likes big blades. So I can just imagine that the tactical is going to have some decent weight on it similar to the chopper
Out of heat treatment
My Smith was busy with a knife show so only got to heat treat my 2 blades today.
The file Chopper and the tactical blade below it.
Still a way to go. Next it is sharpening and polishing the blades, and then fitting the handles.
I bought a mass produced Kukri a short while ago and the tip rolled over in no time. That's why it's better to get a proper blade from a smith. No chance of that chopper taking damage
Zombie heads are going to be like slicing through a melon
My Smith was busy with a knife show so only got to heat treat my 2 blades today.
The file Chopper and the tactical blade below it.
Still a way to go. Next it is sharpening and polishing the blades, and then fitting the handles.
I bought a mass produced Kukri a short while ago and the tip rolled over in no time. That's why it's better to get a proper blade from a smith. No chance of that chopper taking damage
Zombie heads are going to be like slicing through a melon
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Line6 HXFX
- Posts: 1148
- Joined: Sat Jul 04, 2020 9:31 am
Lol..Tools, tools, I must have to have my tools.
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inactionman
- Posts: 3398
- Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2020 7:37 am
Christ.
I almost took my own finger off with my Leatherman, I'd lose a limb with one of those bastards.
I almost took my own finger off with my Leatherman, I'd lose a limb with one of those bastards.
I love the double edge on the chopper. Cut both sides.inactionman wrote: Tue Nov 15, 2022 12:01 pm Christ.
I almost took my own finger off with my Leatherman, I'd lose a limb with one of those bastards.
My theme with these two blades was to have Tanto tips
Apocalyptic
My Smith sent this
It's like beaten metal wrapped in leather cordage with knick knacks dangling from leather strings.
The cool thing about that is I get to look for cool Knick knacks ...........like skulls, pukka beads and Sharks teeth
My Smith sent this
It's like beaten metal wrapped in leather cordage with knick knacks dangling from leather strings.
The cool thing about that is I get to look for cool Knick knacks ...........like skulls, pukka beads and Sharks teeth
Needs more attitude
There is enough there for me to take it further. I don't think he has the imagination to take it to apocalyptic level. So I will add the rest. I was surprised when he made the wooden element so smooth and shiny. The rest is perfect. He aged the blade . So it look old. Then makes the handle shiny and new. Maybe he is afraid to make it look real apocalyptic steampunk. I will cover that handle with cloth bound by copper wire. Drill some holes in the horn to dangle some fossil Sharks teeth. Push a large ring through the back hole and dangle some trinkets off leather string. Blade is perfect. That's heat treated and hard.
There is enough there for me to take it further. I don't think he has the imagination to take it to apocalyptic level. So I will add the rest. I was surprised when he made the wooden element so smooth and shiny. The rest is perfect. He aged the blade . So it look old. Then makes the handle shiny and new. Maybe he is afraid to make it look real apocalyptic steampunk. I will cover that handle with cloth bound by copper wire. Drill some holes in the horn to dangle some fossil Sharks teeth. Push a large ring through the back hole and dangle some trinkets off leather string. Blade is perfect. That's heat treated and hard.
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LoveOfTheGame
- Posts: 749
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2022 11:50 am
I really am trying to like it Sards. Will you be using during the weekly satanic rituals, or is this one more for the family mantel piece above the coffin in the living room?Sards wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 5:16 am Needs more attitude
There is enough there for me to take it further. I don't think he has the imagination to take it to apocalyptic level. So I will add the rest. I was surprised when he made the wooden element so smooth and shiny. The rest is perfect. He aged the blade . So it look old. Then makes the handle shiny and new. Maybe he is afraid to make it look real apocalyptic steampunk. I will cover that handle with cloth bound by copper wire. Drill some holes in the horn to dangle some fossil Sharks teeth. Push a large ring through the back hole and dangle some trinkets off leather string. Blade is perfect. That's heat treated and hard.
Nothing like I want on the handle. I will sort that out. I am in Oudtshoorn. Looking for some ostrich leather to wrap the handle. Let me get it and once I have pimped it up you will see my visionLoveOfTheGame wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 8:30 amI really am trying to like it Sards. Will you be using during the weekly satanic rituals, or is this one more for the family mantel piece above the coffin in the living room?Sards wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 5:16 am Needs more attitude
There is enough there for me to take it further. I don't think he has the imagination to take it to apocalyptic level. So I will add the rest. I was surprised when he made the wooden element so smooth and shiny. The rest is perfect. He aged the blade . So it look old. Then makes the handle shiny and new. Maybe he is afraid to make it look real apocalyptic steampunk. I will cover that handle with cloth bound by copper wire. Drill some holes in the horn to dangle some fossil Sharks teeth. Push a large ring through the back hole and dangle some trinkets off leather string. Blade is perfect. That's heat treated and hard.
"It rubs the lotion on its skin"..EnergiseR2 wrote: Wed Jan 04, 2023 9:00 am Will we all get interviewed or just ASMO when Sards starts wearing his neighbour like a hat? This will be the first of many appearances in a netflix documentary
I love watching little children running and screaming, playing hide and seek in the playground.
They don't know I'm using blanks..
They don't know I'm using blanks..
Apocalyptic and tactical
Ok I know the apocalyptic needs work to make it " apocalyptic ". But I love the tactical blade. That's a chunk of metal. I saw a video of it in the Smiths hands. Can't wait to feel it in my hands. Still needs to polish the handle.
The sheath for the chopper is a bit kitch......I have leather work tools so will modify the shit out of that.
Very happy with the tactical sheath.
These are updated pics I get from the smith
Ok I know the apocalyptic needs work to make it " apocalyptic ". But I love the tactical blade. That's a chunk of metal. I saw a video of it in the Smiths hands. Can't wait to feel it in my hands. Still needs to polish the handle.
The sheath for the chopper is a bit kitch......I have leather work tools so will modify the shit out of that.
Very happy with the tactical sheath.
These are updated pics I get from the smith
Not what I wanted at all. But I will sort out when I get it.
I just hope the Tang is not hardened so I can drill through it.
I am also chopping that horn off shorter and using the end piece to hang from a leather strip. Not that plastic shit
Ready for collection
He finished photographing and posting on his page. I can now collect. You can see how he blued the tactical blade. It's a chemical process which penetrates the material. It's an additional cost but well worth it. It will help with corrosion.
Also when on a mission to slit the throats of the security you won't have it glinting off the moonlight.
Not everyone's cup of tea, but it's about the collection and varying styles and blades. I had no tantos and now I have 2 bad ass bladee
He finished photographing and posting on his page. I can now collect. You can see how he blued the tactical blade. It's a chemical process which penetrates the material. It's an additional cost but well worth it. It will help with corrosion.
Also when on a mission to slit the throats of the security you won't have it glinting off the moonlight.
Not everyone's cup of tea, but it's about the collection and varying styles and blades. I had no tantos and now I have 2 bad ass bladee
Last edited by Sards on Tue Jan 10, 2023 12:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Don't waste your time on stones, strops ets.
This baby is so easy . Slide your blade against the upright post through the crossed sharpener edges ( which are spring loaded ) 10 times and it's a perfect edge. You can adjust to 15 degrees, 20 and 30 depending on the thickness of your blade. It's just so easy and convenient. And cheap as chips
Best sharpener
https://www.facebook.com/WarthogSharpen ... tid=ZbWKwL
Local South African company based in George. Uses diamond chips.
All the other types of home sharpeners actually chip and damage your blade. And are hard to use , hold , stick etc.
With a stone you just cannot get the angle right . And you need to wet the stone constantly which is messy.
With this you pull out of the cupboard. And just slide your blade through. It's quick so you can pull out all your knives and sharpen in one session.
R635.00 is nothing.
Local South African company based in George. Uses diamond chips.
All the other types of home sharpeners actually chip and damage your blade. And are hard to use , hold , stick etc.
With a stone you just cannot get the angle right . And you need to wet the stone constantly which is messy.
With this you pull out of the cupboard. And just slide your blade through. It's quick so you can pull out all your knives and sharpen in one session.
R635.00 is nothing.
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mat the expat
- Posts: 1571
- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 11:12 pm
Get a broken sink and use the ceramic edge
I sawed that horn off as soon as I got home. Filed to nice points and drilled a hole through the tooth looking end and hung it from the shortest strand weaving it back into the common weave. I did explain to the Smith what I was going to do so he wouldnt get offended and he showed me where I could cut without hitting a hollow. I couldn't stop playing with it thereafter.....it took all my restraint to not chop down one of my trees with it.Sards wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 11:54 am Ready for collection
He finished photographing and posting on his page. I can now collect. You can see how he blued the tactical blade. It's a chemical process which penetrates the material. It's an additional cost but well worth it. It will help with corrosion.
Also when on a mission to slit the throats of the security you won't have it glinting off the moonlight.
Not everyone's cup of tea, but it's about the collection and varying styles and blades. I had no tantos and now I have 2 bad ass bladee
I tried to wrap the handle with a leather strap but no piece I had was long enough. So need to source that.
Last edited by Sards on Wed Jan 11, 2023 10:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
Apocalyptic
Hoping to find some leather strips to wrap the handle as I have some time today. The handle moves in the hand because it's too smooth so the leather will fix that.
Much prefer the horn point cut off and used as a dingle dongle.
Not completely happy with where my index finger fits below the horn guard. I will have to grind that till it's comfortable. It's a big blade and heavy so the small details are important
Hoping to find some leather strips to wrap the handle as I have some time today. The handle moves in the hand because it's too smooth so the leather will fix that.
Much prefer the horn point cut off and used as a dingle dongle.
Not completely happy with where my index finger fits below the horn guard. I will have to grind that till it's comfortable. It's a big blade and heavy so the small details are important
Last edited by Sards on Sat Jan 21, 2023 7:06 am, edited 1 time in total.
Farriers file to be exact. But that was the point. If you have a beautiful looking knife you are a lot more reluctant to really work it. Besides. Farrier file blades are in vogue currently. Even for little skinners.
I kept the file edge on the back of the blade so I can saw with it. Zoom in on the back edge and you will see it.So it not designed for a thrust and the slice upwards. More for chopping.
Last edited by Sards on Mon Jan 23, 2023 6:16 am, edited 2 times in total.
Just for a better fit for my hand. Your index finger slots in behind the guard and if , like the horn, it's too round it pushes your whole hand back down the handle. Remember it's a heavy blade so you don't want to lose your grip. Everyone's hands are different. Once I adjusted it the grip felt perfect. Still struggling to find long leather strips to wrap. Been watching tutorials on how to wrap it.Gumboot wrote: Sat Jan 21, 2023 7:05 am If you grind it down will it work better? What do you use it for btw?
Its just another tick in my collection.