Introduction: Saw Knife and Leather Sheath

About: I'm a simple guy from a simple country called Latvia. I enjoy making useful (and sometimes not so useful) stuff to make people around me happier!

Hey!

Once again I had an inspiration to make a new knife, but this time I was lucky enough to have a used saw blade, so I made the knife from it!

Tools:

  • Angle grinder
  • Saw
  • Bench grinder
  • Sandpaper
  • Hammer
  • Pliers
  • Oven

Materials:

  • Saw blade
  • Epoxy glue
  • Wood for knife handle (I used oak)
  • Charcoal
  • Nails
  • Vegetable oil (I used canola oil)

Step 1: The Blade

I started with drawing the outlines of the knife on the saw blade. Then I used the angle grinder to cut the blade out.

After that I sharpened the blade. But you really shouldn't do that before hardening, because it makes it easier for the blade to twist. This blade did twist a little, but that's okay, it can't be seen from distance :)

Step 2: Hardening and Tempering

For the fire I used my grill. I fired up the charcoal and used a fan to heat them up even more.

I put the blade in there, and after a couple of minutes the blade was glowing red. I immersed it into the oil and after that I put it into the oven for 1 hour at 250°C (~482℉). However, it was not enough, I should have held it in the oven for a longer period, because later, while working with the blade, a piece from the tip broke off, it was too brittle.

Step 3: The Handle

As I didn't have drill bits that are strong enough to go through steel, I used a different method. Instead of drilling, using the angle grinder I cut out a line in the handle, for the rivets.

After that, I marked the handle on a piece of oak, and cut out both pieces of the handle. I used nails as rivets.

Them I glued everything together and cut off the spare material.

Step 4: The Handle II

For the shaping of the handle I used the angle grinder and sandpaper.

When the most of the spare material was taken off, I started using sandpaper.

Then I put some wood stain on the handle, and used my special polish (bees wax mixed with linseed oil) on the handle.

I didn't like the handle very much, so I decided to carve some lines in it. And to make it even more beautiful, I made the both sides of carvings in different colors.

Step 5: The Sheath

I started with cutting out rough template, and the cutting it out of the leather.

Then I punched out holes for the rivets and holes for sewing, and when that was done, I connected and sewed everything together.

When the sheath was finished, I decided to burn something into the leather. A tree. It didn't turn out so well, but it definitely gives some character to the knife.

Step 6: The Knife

It turned out really good. It looks nice, remains sharp for quite a while, and feels really good in hand.

This is not an easy project but if you have the right tools, it's something that, when finished, will make you proud!

You can check out my Facebook page HERE.

Metal Contest 2016

Participated in the
Metal Contest 2016

Tandy Leather Contest 2016

Participated in the
Tandy Leather Contest 2016

Wood Contest 2016

Participated in the
Wood Contest 2016

Maker Olympics Contest 2016

Participated in the
Maker Olympics Contest 2016