Passion For Perfection

[seedha.admi]

My keyboard is screwed.

LOL

[brihacharan]

My keyboard is screwed.
LOL

> A Classic Case of Perfection Personified
Briha

[essdee1972]

Great you got the kunai!! Since you are interested in making knives, why don't you try making some of your own, instead of relying on a semi-skilled person? Many a times, the amateur is better than even a skilled person, because the amateur puts his heart into the project!!

The machete / bowie should be good, even with elementary tools. Get a leaf spring patti, get the lohar to do the elementary, unskilled work, i.e. heat and hammer it straight. In case thickness is > 1/4", tell him to make it slightly thinner. In both cases, tell him to heat to red and cool with as much insulation as possible. On a bed of sand, covered by sand, or at least aircool - never to dip in water / motor oil / brine!! This will anneal the steel and make it softer for you.

Then make the knife. You'll need a bench grinder, or an angle grinder, a vice and a few files. Be very careful, if you are inexperienced with machine tools (you might lose a finger, a whole hand, etc.). Wear safety goggles, etc. Cover your bare skin, unless you want a thousand tiny sparks landing on you. No synthetic clothes, no loose clothes, etc. etc. You'll find good videos on YouTube, but since many of those guys are pros, you would need to be slower and more careful than them!

After making the whole thing, let the lohar harden & temper it.

In fact, I am trying out a Bowie with this process (my first homemade big knife!!), and even though it's a excruciatingly slow process, it's quite fun! I used a bench grinder to give shape, and am using a file for the bevel.

You can also speak to the knife masters on the forum - Mack, Bruno, Slingshot, Choombak, Moin. I am taking advice from Moin on the project (thanks Moin!!).

[seedha.admi]

@essdee

So talented........

[essdee1972]

@essdee

So talented........

Who, me? A case of wrong identification, buddy! You should talk to some of the other guys here - who do even the forging part themselves!! Just run through the sharpies threads........ Me, I rely on my IFG bros to even get me the leaf springs! And give me loads of advice.....

The Govt. and my parents spent a lot of cash to give me a degree in metallurgical engineering....... 16 years ago. I have since then changed fields and forgotten 80% of what I learnt (which anyway was < 10% of what we had to learn!! ).

This DIY stuff is just a way to get rid of the junk which clogs the mind after a hard day at the office! Same with shooting. At least it's better than being stuck to the idiot box or the booze bottle! And then you get to impress people.... (don't tell my wife )

[Skyman]

Don't be modest saar....

[Moin.]

SDda, quit pulling my leg. Since you have spilled the beans on your Bowie Project how about posting some WIP pics. Guys like Mack or Choombak can chime in as well.

Looking forward to your thread.

Regards
Moin.

[seedha.admi]

WHAAAAAAA........TTT????

NOOOOO........

This has become like family of knife slinging bros!

Cooool!

[Mack The Knife]

You can also speak to the knife masters on the forum - Mack, Bruno, Slingshot, Choombak, Moin. I am taking advice from Moin on the project (thanks Moin!!).

Mark, Marthandan, one more chap (think he's from Chennai) and you are the only guys who have made knives. Amongst you four, Mark's the only one who has made quality knives. See his avatar.

The remaining guys on your list, have never made a knife as far as I know.

I would very much like to see the various stages of your bowie.

[brihacharan]

You can also speak to the knife masters on the forum - Mack, Bruno, Slingshot, Choombak, Moin. I am taking advice from Moin on the project (thanks Moin!!).

Mark, Marthandan, one more chap (think he's from Chennai) and you are the only guys who have made knives. Amongst you four, Mark's the only one who has made quality knives. See his avatar.
The remaining guys on your list, have never made a knife as far as I know.
I would very much like to see the various stages of your bowie.

Mack,
> These guys have been smitten & have conceived the idea of DIY blades...
> The process of 'Birth Pangs' are on
> Hopefully they'll deliver...
> We are pacing the lobby to hear the 'First Scream' of success
> Mack has thrown the 'Gauntlet' - Let's see your creations
Briha

[Mack The Knife]

No gauntlet thrown, in this instance. Merely interested in seeing Essdee's bowie being made.

Ditto for the knife you are contemplating.

[essdee1972]

Sorry Mack, I was referring to the masters, not only the "makers". And I actually remembered Mark & Marthandan after hitting the submit button.

However, someone with an encyclopedic knowledge of knives like you or Moin or Choombak (no buttering here, just a statement of fact) can give valuable tips, even though you guys may not have made any.

I do have pics, but feel a bit scared....... if the project fails????? Anyway, will post "shortly"!

[Mack The Knife]

Sorry Mack, I was referring to the masters, not only the "makers". And I actually remembered Mark & Marthandan after hitting the submit button. However, someone with an encyclopedic knowledge of knives like you or Moin or Choombak (no buttering here, just a statement of fact) can give valuable tips, even though you guys may not have made any.

Assuming it's not a case of, "In the kingdom of the blind, the one eyed is king", then there are no masters on this forum, either in the hands-on or theoretical category. Mark's very good, maybe even better. Marthandan has the tools, knowledge and potential to be just as good but is not doing that final extra bit. Wish he would.

I do have pics, but feel a bit scared....... if the project fails????? Anyway, will post "shortly"!

If the project fails, take it as a blessing. Learn from your mistake/s, repeatedly if need be, and you will eventually end up with something very good. You are doing this solo and that's fantastic! Post the pics whenever convenient.

[brihacharan]

Mack wrote:
If the project fails, take it as a blessing. Learn from your mistake/s, repeatedly if need be, and you will eventually end up with something very good. You are doing this solo and that's fantastic! Post the pics whenever convenient.

> Now that's a load of encouragement
> Step on it 'SD' ...we're waiting
Briha

[marthandan]

Assuming it's not a case of, "In the kingdom of the blind, the one eyed is king", then there are no masters on this forum, either in the hands-on or theoretical category. Mark's very good, maybe even better. Marthandan has the tools, knowledge and potential to be just as good but is not doing that final extra bit. Wish he would.

nice to hear that for a change. in fact i had wanted to send my knives for a review to some of you. Mack...i would greatly benefit if you could explain.