ditchman Posted September 3 Report Share Posted September 3 i will keep my big moosh shut......your set up is spot on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted September 3 Report Share Posted September 3 1 hour ago, Shambam1962 said: Cheers thanks Simon for the advice 👍 This is the sanding machine I currently use and find it very good. I also have an 8” disc sander I made from a face plate for the lathe. I placed an order yesterday for 2 stainless steel Opinel No.8 knives and they have just been delivered this evening. I definitely have a few ideas I want to try out. Thank you Dave, how many have you made to date, and did you do anything different from the 1st one you made ? I have made a few when asked. The main difference is I just leave the blade and fittings on the handle. I then reduce the beech handle to a dowel that is inset into the horn and then araldite. I was having trouble finding suitable density antler and this solves it. It’s how I treat the end that differs. I like buffalo horn as it polishes up beautifully. I am just finishing a stick with mixed buffalo and metal spacers and that will probably be my next idea for a knife . A bit like this on the stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambam1962 Posted September 3 Author Report Share Posted September 3 21 minutes ago, Dave at kelton said: I have made a few when asked. The main difference is I just leave the blade and fittings on the handle. I then reduce the beech handle to a dowel that is inset into the horn and then araldite. I was having trouble finding suitable density antler and this solves it. It’s how I treat the end that differs. I like buffalo horn as it polishes up beautifully. I am just finishing a stick with mixed buffalo and metal spacers and that will probably be my next idea for a knife . A bit like this on the stick. Thanks Dave for the information 👍 That stick is very nice and the spacers really set the buffalo horn off. Well done you, and look forward to seeing your next knife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambam1962 Posted September 3 Author Report Share Posted September 3 1 hour ago, ditchman said: i will keep my big moosh shut......your set up is spot on... Please don’t keep quiet, as your input is fully appreciated, and you are talking from past experience. This is only my first antler knife and I know absolutely nothing, other than reading your early knife making posts and watching a few YouTube videos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted September 4 Report Share Posted September 4 Hello, What a difference it makes to the standard Opinel, Thanks for posting 👍, These must be the most purchased world wide sales of any knife made, I lost the last one I had so maybe its time for another, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambam1962 Posted September 4 Author Report Share Posted September 4 8 hours ago, oldypigeonpopper said: Hello, What a difference it makes to the standard Opinel, Thanks for posting 👍, These must be the most purchased world wide sales of any knife made, I lost the last one I had so maybe its time for another, Yes it definitely looks nicer, than the original wooden handle. I have lost quite a few over the years, as I had a habit of gutting rabbits at the end of the nights lamping and sticking the knife in the ground . I never learnt from my mistakes, and the one farmer must have had a good selection of knives. I did change the blade and fittings today on the antler knife from carbon steel , and replaced it with a stainless blade. I’m going to post the knife off to my mate tomorrow as a thank you gift. It looks really nice now, all new and shiny 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted September 4 Report Share Posted September 4 He should be VERY happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 4 Report Share Posted September 4 what a special gift ....welll done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambam1962 Posted September 4 Author Report Share Posted September 4 2 hours ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: He should be VERY happy. I know, I would be very happy to receive one as a gift And the stainless blade is more practical for his fishing exploits than a carbon steel blade 👍 2 hours ago, ditchman said: what a special gift ....welll done Thank you Simon, it looks very nice now 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeksofdoom Posted September 4 Report Share Posted September 4 On 02/09/2024 at 22:45, Shambam1962 said: I finally got around to making an antler handle for my opinel carbon blade knife today. I didn’t find it difficult to modify and followed Ditchman’s excellent previous posts. I have a good selection of antler pieces I was kindly sent by Greenshank1 a few months ago, and found it difficult to select a suitable piece for the knife. The end of the antler is capped with a piece of faux acrylic ivory and a spigot turned on the piece and epoxied into position. Disassembling the knife was straightforward and I reused the pin on assembly. The blade groove took a bit of time cutting as I was having trouble with my hand shaking and didn’t want to spoil the groove on the antler, but I eventually cut it okay and straight. The blade groove was cut with a dremel tool and a diamond disc fitted, and the groove was made deeper using blade off a reciprocating saw , which was the perfect groove width. The antler was given a coat of Microcrystalline wax to finish. It’s not in the same league as the one that Dave at Kelton made a few months ago, but I’m pleased with my 1st attempt and will hopefully make the next one better 👍 Absulute class... how did you cut the recess into the handle for the blade?... was it just a handsaw? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambam1962 Posted September 4 Author Report Share Posted September 4 13 minutes ago, deeksofdoom said: Absulute class... how did you cut the recess into the handle for the blade?... was it just a handsaw? Thank you, I’m pleased with how it turned out. The recess was cut using a Dremel and a diamond disc blade. Once I was happy with the straight line, the groove was deepened using a reciprocating saw blade which was the exact blade width, and cut by moving back and forth by hand. I hope this helps you 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted September 5 Report Share Posted September 5 On 03/09/2024 at 12:51, ditchman said: oh ..i am pleased.........the enjoyment i got making them for folk was just what i needed at that time....i reallly miss making them...but i cant anymore as i have become quite weak and useless .......still a creaking gate lasts longest they say It is in constant use Simon, whenever there are pigeons to be breasted. To use yours and my old Dad’s term, I keep it ‘Up to snuff’ as said by a quick wipe with a fine wet stone. I also give the brass end knob an occasional polish which sets it off a treat and it still looks really great, so thanks again Simon. I admire and fully appreciate the work that goes into the antler handles by those who have the skill to carry out such things. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted September 5 Report Share Posted September 5 That is an excellent knife - first attempt or 100th. As a recipient of a ditchman knife myself, I feel in a position to comment on the quality of the knife making, which way exceeds my own limited skills. Before I got my knife from Simon, I wasn't sure what all the fuss was about. The minute I opened the parcel and placed it in my hand - I knew. Surprisingly solid feel and very tactile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambam1962 Posted September 5 Author Report Share Posted September 5 2 hours ago, Gordon R said: That is an excellent knife - first attempt or 100th. As a recipient of a ditchman knife myself, I feel in a position to comment on the quality of the knife making, which way exceeds my own limited skills. Before I got my knife from Simon, I wasn't sure what all the fuss was about. The minute I opened the parcel and placed it in my hand - I knew. Surprisingly solid feel and very tactile. Thank you Gordon 👍 I did a bit of searching on previous posts, one evening last week, before attempting the antler modification. Simon’s antler knives are something special indeed, and I thoroughly enjoyed making my 1st antler handle, and received good advice from Simon. As you said, they fit very nice in the hand, and not only look good, but are also razor sharp. I would like to make some sort of jig at a later stage, which would help make it easier to cut the blade groove . I did cut the groove with the Dremel, and went steadily as not to ruin the antler, by cutting the groove wonky, with my shaky hand, and I’m very pleased with the end result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 5 Report Share Posted September 5 7 hours ago, Shambam1962 said: Thank you Gordon 👍 I did a bit of searching on previous posts, one evening last week, before attempting the antler modification. Simon’s antler knives are something special indeed, and I thoroughly enjoyed making my 1st antler handle, and received good advice from Simon. As you said, they fit very nice in the hand, and not only look good, but are also razor sharp. I would like to make some sort of jig at a later stage, which would help make it easier to cut the blade groove . I did cut the groove with the Dremel, and went steadily as not to ruin the antler, by cutting the groove wonky, with my shaky hand, and I’m very pleased with the end result. you would be agarst if itold you how i cut my blade slots...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambam1962 Posted September 6 Author Report Share Posted September 6 7 hours ago, ditchman said: you would be agarst if itold you how i cut my blade slots...... You now have my utmost attention, and the mind boggles 👍 I have epoxied a reciprocating blade into the old Opinel beech handle. It’s not perfect, but works okay. Come on Simon enlighten us all. It obviously worked well for you in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted September 6 Report Share Posted September 6 And of course the next question to Ditchman is; What did you do with all the beech handles you replaced? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 6 Report Share Posted September 6 1 hour ago, Shambam1962 said: You now have my utmost attention, and the mind boggles 👍 I have epoxied a reciprocating blade into the old Opinel beech handle. It’s not perfect, but works okay. Come on Simon enlighten us all. It obviously worked well for you in the past. Bloody angle grinder with cutting disc it was like shooting off sticks ...you have to anchor yourself on 3 points...and the handle in the vice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambam1962 Posted September 6 Author Report Share Posted September 6 4 minutes ago, ditchman said: Bloody angle grinder with cutting disc it was like shooting off sticks ...you have to anchor yourself on 3 points...and the handle in the vice You obviously mastered the technique, and it worked well for you, and well done 👍 I wouldn’t feel confident using an angle grinder with a slim cutting blade, as my cutting would be all over the place, and a big pile of antler on the floor. I will persevere with the Dremel for now, until I can use something different . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 6 Report Share Posted September 6 2 hours ago, Shambam1962 said: You obviously mastered the technique, and it worked well for you, and well done 👍 I wouldn’t feel confident using an angle grinder with a slim cutting blade, as my cutting would be all over the place, and a big pile of antler on the floor. I will persevere with the Dremel for now, until I can use something different . i think your idea of using a dremel and a reciprorcating knife cutter ...is a far better idea....i wish i had thought of it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambam1962 Posted September 6 Author Report Share Posted September 6 1 hour ago, ditchman said: i think your idea of using a dremel and a reciprorcating knife cutter ...is a far better idea....i wish i had thought of it.. I just ordered a selection of larger diameter diamond discs fo the Dremel. They range from 22mm -60mm and will try them out once delivered. I just posted the knife off to Scotland for PW member Greenshank1 and asked Stuart to give me an honest opinion on the knife, be it good or bad, and if I need to do anything differently. He kindly sent me a selection of antler and bog oak a few months ago, and I thought this knife would be a way of thanking him, with something useful 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted September 6 Report Share Posted September 6 1 hour ago, ditchman said: i think your idea of using a dremel and a reciprorcating knife cutter ...is a far better idea....i wish i had thought of it.. Whilst every day may be a school day, I can assure everyone on PW that the knife that you very kindly made for me was absolutely spot on. I purposely keep it at home and not take it out when shooting or whatever as the thought of either losing it or it being pinched doesn`t bear thinking about. It is used at least once a week. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 6 Report Share Posted September 6 6 minutes ago, Shambam1962 said: I just ordered a selection of larger diameter diamond discs fo the Dremel. They range from 22mm -60mm and will try them out once delivered. I just posted the knife off to Scotland for PW member Greenshank1 and asked Stuart to give me an honest opinion on the knife, be it good or bad, and if I need to do anything differently. He kindly sent me a selection of antler and bog oak a few months ago, and I thought this knife would be a way of thanking him, with something useful 👍 1 minute ago, Old Boggy said: Whilst every day may be a school day, I can assure everyone on PW that the knife that you very kindly made for me was absolutely spot on. I purposely keep it at home and not take it out when shooting or whatever as the thought of either losing it or it being pinched doesn`t bear thinking about. It is used at least once a week. OB if life had been a little more kind to me i would have made my knives and deep engraves the metal pommels.....i would also used Bronze copper brass and silver i hope shambam...takes the opinel construction on where i left off.......you've made a cracking start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambam1962 Posted September 6 Author Report Share Posted September 6 4 hours ago, ditchman said: if life had been a little more kind to me i would have made my knives and deep engraves the metal pommels.....i would also used Bronze copper brass and silver i hope shambam...takes the opinel construction on where i left off.......you've made a cracking start Thank you Simon for your encouragement, it’s very much appreciated 👍 I will definitely try making a few more, but I do like my turning and stick making. I will try a few metal pommels.👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wisdom Posted September 8 Report Share Posted September 8 Brilliant work on the antler knives but be careful with angle grinders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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