Introduction: Sailing Knife Mod for Cold Steel True-Flight Thrower

By coyotecoastmarine.weebly.com/

Step 1: Tools and Materials

Tools:

 1. Goggles,Gloves (Safe!!)

 2. Vise

 3. Hacksaw I use a Constant Tension style using Starrett 24tpi blades
      ( Your Choice of hacksaw and blade are up to you. A whole series
    of instructables can be written about hacksaws and use.)

4.  Cutting oil ( I use a mix of Marvel's Mystery Oil and WD-40)

5.  Finishing Tools: Metal files,Sand Paper (Your choice)

Note: I chose a Hacksaw to keep the knife's original temper, Using
 a little cutting oil (keep a rag to clean) and time I used only one blade.


Step 2: Tools and Materials

Materials

1. Cold Steel(tm) True-Flight Thrower
     (Available from Cold Steel Special Projects online)

2. Leather (Happy Hunting on That, I obtained it onboard.)
    Can also purchase the optional Sheath and mod it.

3. Waxed Whipping twine (From Marine/Sailing Stores)
     I used Marlow #4 I purchased from Sailing Supply in
      San Diego, Available in several colors.

4.  Needles, HD for Sail Repair, By several will break one or two.
      From #3 Sources.

5. Optional, The Knife comes wrapped in Green Paracord,
     I used Tarred Marline/Seine Twine for added grip and
     Traditional Look.

 Note: There are several sources here and on the Web on
 Sheath construction and all  different ways to make various
 Marlinspike Sennits,Whippings.etc, for the Handle..
  So I will list materials and ToolsI used for it only.


Step 3: Mark,Cut Sheepsfoot Blade.


Sheepsfoot blade Cut.

  Here is how Wikipedia describes the Sheepsfoot :

A sheepsfoot knife has a straight edge and a straight dull back that curves towards the edge at the end. It gives the most control, because the dull back edge is made to be held by fingers. Sheepsfoot look like a sheep's hoof. They were used mostly by sailors in old times, as the shape of the tip prevented accidental penetration of the work or a person when the ship rolled suddenly.

 Also Back in The Age Of Sail many Captains and Mates would order the ships Carpenter
  to break the points off of Knives to prevent mortal wounds when sailors fought.

1. I chose an angle that would minimize blade loss and Scribed.

2.  Place in vise at comfortable angle for cut.
Note: I used rubber to pad the jaws on the vise originally.
and used a vise that was mounted, photos are for demonstration
purposes only.

3. I Make a small nick, Cut.


Step 4: Finishing the Blade


 I use Metal files and various grits of Sandpaper to obtain a smooth
 finish.  Starting with a crosscut file, Then I went from 100 grit and
progressed to 220, finishing it out with 320 wet/dry with light oil.
  I resharpen the blade to a good working edge.

Step 5: Final and Misc.


  In Closing,

 I made this Mod on a Voyage from Honolulu to Kirimati
in The South Pacific in 2007. 3 Ships and several thousand
Nautical miles later it has stood up to the abuse given to it,
 keeping a good edge and lightly oiled was not a problem
and most of its original finish has remained intact. Here are a few
final photos showing the knife and sheath.

  Please feel free to ask questions. and check out my blog on my South Pacific
Voyage, Mysterious Shipwrecks on uninhabitable Atoll there:

http://coyoteshark.blogspot.com/2009/07/kingman-reef-plastic-island-my-visit.html

Thanks,

MarinerMcV