First Cowboy Knife

[Flinch Morningwood]

My first attempt at a cowboy knife.  I have been making knives for about a year and this is my 4th knife (that has made it to completion) over all.

The blade is 7 1/2 " by 1 3/8" and just under 1/8" thick at the guard.  The handle is 4 3/4" and about 3/4" thick at the end.  The blade is 1095 steel edge quenched to have a harder cutting edge and softer spine.  You can see the differentiation line in the photos.  I polished up to 1500 grit but "aged" the blade a bit to knock down the shine.

I slow rust blued the 1018 steel guard and bolster.  The handle is curly maple finished with a penatrating tung oil varnish.

The sheath is a Mexican Loop variation I created. 

I am hoping to make some more knives of various types and put them up for sale at cowboy events....something to keep me occupied at night...

Let me know what you think....I am looking for other style suggestions as I am looking to make each one unique...next will be a larger Bowie type...if it makes it through heat treating!

[Flinch Morningwood]

In the sheath....

[Major 2]

That is a dandy..very nice...

I gotta say, this is a talented bunch .... I like this Forum 

I'm not in fantasy & Kilingon Knives so the Knife Guild BB is not what I'm about...Chuck Barrow's fine work and the creative Period works like yours & others here... is my cup.

I dabble....and don't mind my creations , but I envy others fine attention to detail   

Good job

[S.Willis]

Great looking piece Little Al. Nice fit and finish.

[Delmonico]

Nice, question though, what if any stain did you use on it wood?

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

    Howdy Little Al

         I have to say Pard I think you did well on both the knife and the sheath, I think a coffin style grip really looks period, and what you have done with the steel  is perfect to say the least, I think your sheath design looks great, good style, I'll look forward to seeing more projects from you, WELL DONE...


                                                             tEN wOLVES   

[Flinch Morningwood]

Nice, question though, what if any stain did you use on it wood?

I use WD Lockwood Aniline dyes...the water based versions. 

After hand-scraping the final dimension, I raise the grain with a weak version of their  brown amber maple...then finish with  a regular strength application of their yellow amber maple.  The light brown, in addition to raising the grain, tends to be absorbed deeper in to the "curly" sections and stay there when the raised grain is sanded/scraped...makes the curl pop a liitle more once the finish is applied.

As a finish, I use 5 applications of Waterlox Original, a penatrating tung oil...then a  coat of wax about a week after the last coat of finish.

I started my "hobbies" as a wood worker, then added leather crafting and have now started with knives...