Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Hawks and Knives => Topic started by: PetahW on May 12, 2021, 10:39:26 PM

Title: Finished Making A Patch Knife
Post by: PetahW on May 12, 2021, 10:39:26 PM

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I have an extra replacement pruner blade on hand, and Kdub inspired me to make a patch knife, as I suggested in an earlier thread.

I think it will do just fine as a patch knife, since it's flat on one side, with an edge bevel on the other.


This is the $3 pruner blade, I started with:

(https://i.imgur.com/6J2Npl2m.jpg)




The 1st thing I did was to rough cut it (hacksaw) for a tang:

(https://i.imgur.com/pe741MDm.jpg)



The 2nd thing was to mark it for grinding into a usable tang:

 (https://i.imgur.com/VHNzvSjm.jpg)




Then, it was a matter of grinding away the excess material:

(https://i.imgur.com/aUQguQqm.jpg)




I had some fancy Walnut left over from another project, that I'll use for the handle: 

(https://i.imgur.com/uKyrhXXm.jpg)


I haven't yet decided whether or not to flatten the hump on the blade's spine...…… (to be continued)

(continued)


I epoxied the scales to the tang in preparation for shaping/sanding/finishing them

(https://i.imgur.com/jDmsIRkl.jpg)


I made a temporary leather safety guard for the blade; AND decided to add a brass PRB short-starter to the hilt


(https://i.imgur.com/Nz8KZ1Xl.jpg)



With the short-starter integral with the patch knife, it eliminates having to short start the ball with one tool, then switching tools to the patch knife  (handy if I'm getting rushed by a Squirrel)


I still have to complete the wood finishing, but it's essentially done.


(https://i.imgur.com/ssfFtPfl.jpg)

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Title: Re: Making a Patch Knife
Post by: Bigsmoke on May 12, 2021, 11:03:04 PM

Quote

Then, it was a matter of grinding away the excess material:

From what I've heard, that is a good way to make a knife.  Start out with a piece of metal and grind away everything that isn't a knife blade. :luff:

Looking good so far, I cannot wait to see how it all turns out.   :bow  Sure better than I have ever done.

John (Bigsmoke)

Title: Re: Making a Patch Knife
Post by: KDubs on May 13, 2021, 08:07:54 AM

Well I'm glad I could inspire somebody :bigsmile:
 Looks good,  I've power washing and sealing my log home so all my little side projects have been on hold.
 Keep on keeping on
 Kevin

Title: Re: Making a Patch Knife
Post by: Ohio Joe on May 13, 2021, 08:49:55 AM

That's a pretty darn good idea with the pruner blade. The holes are already there for finishing the handle, you can grind that metal down as thin as you want... Great idea for sure!!!  :hairy

Title: Re: Making a Patch Knife
Post by: PetahW on May 13, 2021, 12:11:31 PM

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T Y, all !   :toast

Title: Re: Making a Patch Knife
Post by: Uncle Russ on May 14, 2021, 03:33:04 AM

I agree with John and Joe that's a great idea and I can't wait to see the finished knife!

Like everyone else that's been overcome with "Muzzleloading Fever", I have made many knives over the years.
Some were pretty nice while others weren't so much of anything, but they all started out as a "great idea".

After reading PetaW's first post the thought flashed through my mind; "My goodness! where did I put that pair of broken Grass Clippers??".....which was immediately followed by another thought that I better go to bed and stop all this crazy thinking!
I have a box full of knives, at least a box of whatever the grandsons haven't carried off, yet.

Russ...

Title: Re: Making a Patch Knife
Post by: PetahW on May 14, 2021, 09:48:42 AM

Quote from: Uncle Russ on May 14, 2021, 03:33:04 AM

I have a box full of knives, at least a box of whatever the grandsons haven't carried off, yet.

Tell me about it.....   ::)   :bigsmile:

Thanks for the kind words, Russ  :)

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