One of the pommel. Not sure that is the right name, but whatever.

Those have tiny handles. I'd be curious to see how they feel in my (large) hands.

I carry a Spyderco Dragon fly ,
Small Knife that fills my large hands ,
Weird at first until you start working with it

foot3 - that's awesome and you were how old?

Well done footie.

Amazing thread PW and keep the links coming guys, this is really interesting stuff.

Great knife, Foot!

This thread is interesting, and the timing is good too. My son wants to make a knife, but I have no real tools for it. Plus, I don't allow him to use power tools yet. I showed him where I have a scrap bar of steel, and where the hack saw and files are. He filed on that bar for about 60 seconds before giving up. In 7 years he will be old enough to join the local blacksmith club and use their shop.

Until then, I guess he will have to stick to wood. He's made 3-4 wooden swords so far. I should take a picture of his latest. It's actually pretty good. A half lap joint holds the guard on, and the sword is nice and sharp on the edges with a blunt tip and an carved handle.

Cool knife, F3.

How old is he? Do you have to be 18 to join the club?

If you find a smith to talk to, he might have your son in to get some hands on learning. I've read in knife magazines about kids as young as 8 forging and finishing knives (with strict adult supervision).

They do have blades you can buy and then just finish them from there. It's a lower barrier to "making a knife." The kit blades go from simple fixed blades to complex folders. Most of them let you mix and match handle materials, pins, bolster, etc.

I've heard good things about Knife Kits and USA Knife Maker.

Also, if the steel is not annealed it's going to be significantly harder to cold work.

Pretty sure you have to be 16 to join the local blacksmith club. He's 9 now. He's had a pocket knife for 2 months, so he's not even a seasoned pro at using a knife yet, let alone making one.

But those kits look like a good idea. Maybe a Christmas present for him.

Wow, what a beautiful piece of art.
Well done.

Pw Check this dude out
Part 1

Part 2 (bigger so you can see detail )

Wow - that was really neat.

I was watching the first vid and thinking ,
Why is he twisting all that Metal ???
And whats up with all the little plates ???
then he started grinding and I was like Oh ,, thats Why !!!

That is fascinating to follow thru the entire process.
It's at the 10' mark of the 2nd video that the whole process makes sense.

We've all read the poem, but these 2 videos bring it to life.

Under a spreading chestnut tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.

Thanks for posting

Spectacular!

Very cool. Thanks zippy!

I can't imagine how difficult it is to keep that much steel straight.

I need to get back in gear with the hot work. It's been too cold lately to do anything else in the shop.

Oh thanks ya prick, you just cost me 3 hours of my beauty sleep. ;) :lol: