latest chef's knife...

[twgray]

The image isn't about the pizza, but the knife. It's a 9 1/2 in. chef's knife made from a circular saw blade from a local sawmill, more than likely something equivalent to L6. I did all the heat treat in house as well as all the profiling, grinding, sharpening and handle making. The hidden tang is surrounded by a split dowel within the orange osage wa-handle and is as tight as a tick. I'll use it until the kiln opening April 20-21, then put it on the shelves with a few other knives, hopefully, and my pots.

[ncrobb]

Looks really nice Tom. What is the material thickness?

Robb

[aith]

yo bro.....the knife is really nice but the pizza looks awesome.....I'm not sure I understand your description of the handle construction but it looks good.....what is the spacer material?.....as always ....good times.....Lou


ps....is the pizza wood-fired?......uuummmmm

[twgray]

Robb, it started out at 3/32" The HRC is 60, according to my local machine shop guy who tests all my knives for me. Lou, I drill a small hole in the block, cut off the front end and drill a hole almost 1/2" in diam from the back of the front portion toward the front and the same from the front of the back toward the rear. I split a comparably sized dowel, sand it to fit within the hole with the tang in the middle. The spacer is brick red fiber. I use a handheld coping saw blade to cut out the front section so it's tight and neat. I'll post a pic later. Tom

[Barry Jones]

The new knife looks great, Tom. Love the backdrop of the shot

I think I have an idea about the handle construction but I'd love to see pics or get an up-close look at how you did it.

[twgray]

[twgray]

Lou, it was baked on a kiln shelf in the kitchen oven. I haven't fired up the brick oven for a while :-( too lazy!

[ArtinNC]

Looking good .

[ncrobb]

As crazy as it seems, I understand your drawing. That's a cool idea and thanks for taking the time to share. Why use the split dowel? Why not just fit the handle directly to the tang? Is the front section full tang and the rear section hidden?

[Barry Jones]

Very clever way to fit that handle, Tom.

Originally Posted by ncrobb

As crazy as it seems, I understand your drawing. That's a cool idea and thanks for taking the time to share. Why use the split dowel? Why not just fit the handle directly to the tang? Is the front section full tang and the rear section hidden?

I'm assuming it's because Tom can drill a big hole much easier than he can cut out a narrow slot in the wood.

[twgray]

Robb, Barry is right. I got this idea from an artist in England who works in ornamental iron and stuff, and makes damascus and knives. The split dowel makes it a glued up mortise and tenon as I don't have a lathe. I won't be at the next guild meeting, but will bring a piece for show and tell next time, and/or post some pics of my next one, un-assembled.

ps-blade and rat tail tang are one piece.

[ncrobb]

OK, that is cool system.

[aith]

That's a great handle system for hidden tang.....Lou