Recent content by Kayakersteve

Danae - Very talented indeed!

Yes, the surface should be completely finished prior to etch

Just starting out with heat treating, 1084 will be your lowest learning curve and makes a great knife - I assume this would be true for a tomahawk

The biggest reason for your confusion is that you choose to use unknown steel. While a rule of thumb would indicate and old truck leaf is 5160, there are no guarantees. If you want to eliminate the confusion buy known steels from places like NJ Steel Baron that cater to knife makers. You...

Wall e - he checked out a long time ago after nobody would give him money

I use 33 ton press/log spltter

Trying out new sword that I made with latest hilt configuration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PY_qk_dBCo

I cold stamp - CMT tool is best IMHO

Hilt number 3 - I like this one best!! Take 3 done....

Just follow steel recommendation based on what you are using - They all have spec sheets

thank you - spend countless hours on billet and sword, then rushing the hilt didnt make sense

what it looks like now!

Changed the hilt....

Stainless steel and non-stainless steels used for knife making all have high carbon levels - Your are debating non-stainless versus stainless, I presume?

vinegar is acetic acid, so you do have access to acid if you can get vinegar. Most use ferric chloride/vinegar mix here is USA. Search youtube as I recently saw a video on making ferric chloride. I'll post link if I can find it.. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkW0XotNmYo