New knife design
Equipment
Contributors to this thread:
I drew this up one morning as a hunting/edc use and figured would make one. Still think the standard drop point I make would be better field user on animals but this has a more durable tip, kinda a hybrid tanto. Is Elmax steel at rc61.5
This is my standard hunter drop point. They are similar but this has an exposed tang for grip when bloody or wet. Anyhow. Seems my hobby is turning into an obsession. Thanks guys.
Both great looking knife designs. I would use either one in a heart beat.
Thanks brother. Hope to use on an elk this year.
Yep Robert turning some rc57 as I write this... I like knives and I like your work!
Very nice, what is the length of the blade?
Both are right around 4”. Bh24- If you running Elmax at 57 that will be one tough knife.
And thank you. Been a fun journey so far.
Beautiful knives! I really like the looks of the grip on the first knife pictured.
Quality work- beautiful knives!
Thanks gents. The handles I have found for me feel better with natural materials. Stabilized wood are quickly becoming my go to for handles when possible.
Nice! Why the 3 leaf clover? Why not a 4 leaf clover for LUCK? Paul
Well I didn’t want to be Cliche I guess and I am half Irish so... shamrock it was with three leaf.
Also thanks for the kind words. It all started a year or so ago with wanting a better knife to use for game. My wife told me to quit complaining about the knives I own and make them myself the way I want them. Most all of my experience with blades come from dressing/cutting game in the field so I try to balance high performance on tissue type cutting with quality that can be handed down.
Rob Just made me another beautiful knife, I am going to let him post pictures of it to do it justice!!
He does incredible work and is very affordable IMHO!
Thanks Rob, I love the knife brother!!
Ah... you got it today. Nice. Glade you like it. I will post up a picture of it. Thanks Scar.
This is the back country knife I made for Scar Finga
I designed to be packable and light yet have enough bulk to grip when working elk/deer in the field for safety.
I love the new blade design
Robert, what’s the blade length on your standard drop point? I’d like to order one from you for my father n law He likes a 6” blade on most his knives. Beautiful work your doing! How’s the steel hold a edge?
Wv-hillbilly Pm sent.
I have learned that geometry trumps all in knife making. That said my primary steel of choice is Elmax when ran over rc60 as becomes totally different (in a good way) when ran hard. All aside they hold an edge very well. Entire bull elk should not be a problem
How does Elmax compare to a carbide like Sv30?
Daaam RJ! I LOVE the new design. Everything I’ve seen from you so far looks great! Talented individual.
In my opinion Elmax out performs s30v. Now s30v is no slouch (my current knife is s30v) but I can run Elmax (with my heat treat) harder with less chipping and thinner behind the edge than can with s30v.
Thanks lungshot. Much appreciated
I really like the looks of that knife you made for scar finga! The others are beautiful but just really like that one a lot!
FUBAR, RJ did a little "customizing" on mine... Man I can not tell you how much I like this knife!! It became my immediate favorite knife and I bought it for hunting.
It may become my daily carry knife... I am wearing it now, and may continue to! Or I might have him build me a smaller version of this for daily carry!
Rob is just one hell of a craftsman! And, as a bonus, he is just a flat out good guy!
Those look fantastic. Curious, about how many man hours goes into one of those?
Is hard to say as each is different and try to do a few at a time. More than likely from start to finish about 20-30 hours if was to break down only work time. I also do all work by hand (minus drill press and belt grinder). So all the grooves are cut with a saw file and sanding done by hand. I do all in my little shop (garage). Thanks guys. Will post a picture of my work space if any so inclined to see.
Hey RJ, My son dabbles with knife making and was wondering where you get your fossil ivory from. Thanks in advance.
Was given to me from an old friend who since passed and not sure where to get now. Would prob check with state you live first to make sure ok to use
Wait. You have only been at this a year or so and that is the kind of quality you are pumping out already? Looks like you were born to do this!
Droptine, I do believe there is Divine help wit my this. When I started I had no idea and I asked for help. I know He has supported me the entire way. Thank you all.
I'd love to see pictures of your shop. Keep up the great work!
Pretty cool..... some real skill and talent there.
Love to see pics of anybodies shop but my own! Right now it needs, um, a real cleaning.... starting with a scoop shovel.....
Ha. That’s awesome. Let’s see if can get a picture that doesn’t make look like a pig works there.
So here is my shop.... errr “garage” that I work in. Started out with a home made grinder from a treadmill and eventually was able to buy a professional made one that has water cooler on platen and full attachments. I do all work in house. I use a computer controlled furnace to heat treat. Have a LN2 tank for cryo treating and about 100 different belts for grinding.
The grinder on the right I made myself. The other I saved up to buy.
The grinder on the right I made myself. The other I saved up to buy.
I use this oven to heat treat the blades.
I use this oven to heat treat the blades.
This is my small drill press, bandsaw and mini mill
Ok....we've seen the shop, how about a step by step of the process. I'd love to see it!
Let me see what I can do.
I also play with high carbon steel. This is a pair of 1095 clay hardened blades with a natural hamon. Was a fun project.