Your TMA Officers and Board of Directors
Support the TMA! ~ Traditional Muzzleloaders ~ The TMA is here for YOU!
*** JOIN in on the TMA 2024 POSTAL MATCH *** it's FREE for ALL !

For TMA related products, please check out the new TMA Store !

The Flintlock Paper

*** Folk Firearms Collective Videos ***



Author Topic: Finished Making A Patch Knife  (Read 3091 times)

Offline PetahW

  • TMA Forum Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 505
Finished Making A Patch Knife
« on: May 12, 2021, 10:39:26 PM »
.

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:






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





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

 




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






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




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




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






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.




.
NRA Life Member since 1971
USAF Vet (Vietnam era)
Boy Scouts of America

EVERYONE HAS A HIDDEN TALENT THEY DIDN"T KNOW ABOUT UNTIL TEQUILA...

Online Bigsmoke

  • TMA Contributing Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 4277
  • TMA: Charter Member #150
Re: Making a Patch Knife
« Reply #1 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)
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest Up to God.

BigSmoke - John Shorb
TMA Charter Member #150  
NRA - Life
Coeur d'Alene Muzzleloaders - Life

Online KDubs

  • TMA Contributing Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 1015
  • Location: Idaho
Re: Making a Patch Knife
« Reply #2 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
TMA Idaho rep.
USAF Medic 1982-1992  Aim High

Offline Ohio Joe

  • TMA BoD
  • ****
  • Posts: 7660
  • TMA Founder / Charter Member# 8
  • TMA Member: Founder
  • Location: Nebraska
Re: Making a Patch Knife
« Reply #3 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
Chadron Fur Trade Days Rendezvous / "Ol' Candle Snuffer"
"Museum of the Fur Trade" Chadron, Nebraska

Offline PetahW

  • TMA Forum Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 505
Re: Making a Patch Knife
« Reply #4 on: May 13, 2021, 12:11:31 PM »
.

T Y, all !   :toast
NRA Life Member since 1971
USAF Vet (Vietnam era)
Boy Scouts of America

EVERYONE HAS A HIDDEN TALENT THEY DIDN"T KNOW ABOUT UNTIL TEQUILA...

Offline Uncle Russ

  • TMA Contributing Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 7342
  • TMA Founder. Walk softly & carry a big Smoothbore!
  • TMA Member: Founder / Charter Member #004
  • Location: Columbia Basin, Washington State
Re: Making a Patch Knife
« Reply #5 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...

It's the many things we don't do that totally sets us apart.
TMA Co-Founder / Charter Member# 4

Offline PetahW

  • TMA Forum Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 505
Re: Making a Patch Knife
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2021, 09:48:42 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  :)

.

NRA Life Member since 1971
USAF Vet (Vietnam era)
Boy Scouts of America

EVERYONE HAS A HIDDEN TALENT THEY DIDN"T KNOW ABOUT UNTIL TEQUILA...