| Project by Dave Rutan | posted 01-03-2017 09:43 PM | 1579 views | 1 time favorited | 10 comments |  |
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I’ve been sort of gearing up in preparation to teaching myself how to rehair violin bows and maybe do some other lutherie [link]. So as to not put out any great $um, I’ve Googled images of what tools are used. Many of them look like variations of tools around the workshop. One in particular looks a great deal like a striking knife.
I started with an old, dull 3/4 inch spade bit. I marked a 45 degree angle on it and grouned it down with my bench grinder, keeping it cool with frequent water dippings. I then used my belt grinder to put a bevel on one side of the blade. I honed it to sharpness on a whetstone. It’s not scary sharp, but it’s sharp.
For the handle I took a scrap piece of walnut and cut it to rough size. I drilled a hole in one end to fit the shank of the bit into. fitted a copper ferrule around the hole and forced the bit shank into the hole. Some sanding and shaping followed. I finished it with boiled linseed oil. I think it looks pretty cool too.
Note: As a striking knife, I think the beveled edge is on the wrong side for a rightie like me. For a lutherie or carving knife, I think it’s okay. Let me know if I just made this backwards. I can probably fix it.
[EDIT] The real answer is that this knife is sharpened on the correct side, but that I will need to make a second knife that is sharpened on the other side. Different knives, different uses.
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
10 comments so far
woodshaver Tony C
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#1 posted 01-03-2017 09:52 PM
Great Idea and well done! Nothing like making your own tools!
-- St Augustine FL, Experience is the sum of our mistakes!
Dave Rutan
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#2 posted 01-03-2017 11:15 PM
Thanks. Sometimes it’s the only way to get what you need.
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
Ivan
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#3 posted 01-04-2017 09:19 AM
Very creative. Fine looking tool.
-- Ivan, Croatia, Wooddicted
Dave Rutan
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#4 posted 01-04-2017 01:35 PM
Thanks, Ivan!-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
calisdad
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#5 posted 01-04-2017 05:11 PM
What a great idea. Sometimes the obvious isn’t so obvious.
-- Groveland, CA.
Dave Rutan
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#6 posted 01-04-2017 05:15 PM
I’m glad you like it.
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
helluvawreck
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#7 posted 01-04-2017 06:12 PM
Well done! It looks like a great shop made tool. It should be a fine addition to your shop.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
DreganTepis
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#8 posted 01-05-2017 04:22 PM
It looks great! I’ve been wondering where to source cheap tool steel for such a project!
And it’s not on the ‘wrong’ side, but it is for a left hand / left side mark!. These usually get sold right handed as single knife; or in a set of three… right, left and double bevel. Get started with this one, but you may find you want to make the other two as well.
-- Red pencil, red marker, marking knife... doesn't mater, the wood will end up the same color.
Dave Rutan
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#9 posted 01-05-2017 05:02 PM
Thanks! I may just grind the bevel on the other side and pretend the knife is older. ;-) John Heisz among others has made a few knives on YouTube. I think I should make a carving knife too.
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
Dave Rutan
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2008 posts in 3153 days
#10 posted 01-13-2017 10:33 PM
The real answer is that this knife is sharpened on the correct side, but that I will need to make a second knife that is sharpened on the other side. Different knives, different uses.
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
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