Invisible Knife Display : 15 Steps

Materials Required

Reclaimed Oak From a Wooden Pallet

1/4" Dowel

1/8" Dowel

I wanted to make an "invisible" display stand for my latest knife, and as the knife is made from stainless steel the use of magnets to hold it was out of the question. But it do have a lanyard hole, so I have another option.

(Note: I do not give the lengths of any of my cuts, as it will change for different size knives)

Step 1: What's Your Angle?

Materials Required

Poster board

Ruler

Pencil

I next need to figure out what angle I wish to have the knife on the stand. I drew a straight line and positioned the knife until I was satisfied.

Step 2: Outline the Outline

Equipment Required

Pencil

The next step is to trace around the knife and mark where the lanyard hole is.

Step 3: Lets Make Sure We Can Shore It Up

Equipment Required

Pencil

Eraser

I need a support that I can attach to my base, that is strong enough to hold the knife and wide enough at the base to attach to the base of the stand. I draw a support that will be undetectable once the knife is in place.

Step 4: Cut It Out!

Tools Required

Utility knife

I then cut the support from the poster board to use as a template to mark my wood. Notice I found the centre of hole I marked for the location of the lanyard hole.

Step 5: Mark It Once

Tools And Materials Required

3/8 X 2 1/2" Board

Pencil

Stick Pin

Placing the support template on the wood, trace around it. The wood I am using is some oak I reclaimed from a wooden pallet. Using a stick pin, I push it though the template into the wood to mark the center of the lanyard hole.

Step 6: Roughing It

Tools Required

Scroll Saw

Using my scroll saw I rough cut out the support

Step 7: Shape Up

Tools Required

Belt/disk Sander

Various Grits of Sandpaper

Drill Press

1/4" Wood Drill Bit

Using my drill press I drilled a 1/4" hole where the I marked the lanyard hole. Then using my belt/disk sander I sanded to my lines, and made sure the base of the support was flat. Using various sandpapers (up to a 400 grit), I finished sanding the support.

Step 8: Peg It

Tools And Material Required

1/4" Dowel

Quality Carpenters Glue

Utility Knife

Sandpaper

Brown Paint

I cut a length of 1/4" dowel long enough to go though the support, but not long enough to go all the way though the knife handle (3/4"). Sanded the ends of the dowel and glued it in place. I painted the tip of the dowel with brown paint to make it more invisible.

Step 9: Back to Base-ics

Tools And Material Required

Ruler

Pencil

3/8 X 2 1/2" Board

I marked the center of my board, and marked out a non-square rectangle. The center mark is required for future measurements.

Step 10: Shape Up

Tools Required

Scroll Saw

Belt/disk Sander

Various Grits of Sandpaper

Ruler

Pencil

I rough cut out the base using my scroll saw, and as I do not want any straight line I use my belt/disk sander to curve each side and round the corners. Using various sandpapers (up to 400 grit) I finishing sanding the base.

Note from the photo I have marked where the knife blade is going to sit, and where the support is going to be placed (1/2 of the with of the handle from the center line).

Step 11: Peg It Again

Tools And Material Required

Drill Press

Hand Drill

1/8" Wood Bit

1/8" Dowel

Sandpaper

Using my drill press I drill a 1/8" hole in the middle of where the support is to be placed, and using my hand drill a 1/8" hole in the middle of the bottom of my support. Then cut a piece of 1/8" dowel to length, and sand the ends.

I know your asking why not drill the support with the drill press? Well it is not square, and I do not have a jig for my drill press to hold it (maybe if I make one it will be another instruct able).

Step 12: Who Wants to Play Slots?

Tools Required

Rotary Tool

1/8" Cutting Disk

Sandpaper

Using my rotary tool with a 1/8" thick cutting disk, I cut a slot in the base to receive the knife blade.

I sand all the pencil marks off the base.

Step 13: Come Together

Material Required

Quality Carpenters Glue

Using a good carpenters glue I place some in each of the holes and cover the bottom of the support. Then fit the pieces together and wait until the glue sets.

Step 14: It Is Finished

Tools And Material Required

Quality Varnish

400 Grit Sandpaper

Finish the stand with at least three coats of varnish, sanding lightly between each coat. Now I have a display that is sort 'a invisible - you cannot see the support at least.

The 8 5/8" knife is made from 1/8" stainless steel, with a cocobolo handle and brass pins.