Cork handle/floating fish knife

[One]

I've been thinking it might be fun to try making a floating fisherman's knife... Besides, I need one.

 

[Mr.Svinarich]

Ive heard of it being done. Keep us posted on your progress!

 

[One]

O.K.

It's from some 1/4 inch pressed cork tile I got at WalMart,... cut, glued, stacked and clamped it. Turned it with abrasives, on a pen mandrel which fit snug inside the brass tube. I stained it with chocolate leather die.

It's an experiment. I'll probably keep it a while and test it out.

 

[One]

... give me another reason to go fishing!

 

[Frank Niro]

With all those fish, Tai, you do need a good knife to clean them. Besides, I would love to see more of your work. Frank

 

[One]

The hard part will be cleaning them all,... without taking a finger off. LOL

... I guess I can live with that.

Those were mostly largemouth bass, red ear sunfish and green sunfish, caught at "Spooky Lake" near Patagonia AZ, with my fishing buddy Jeff.

“Necessity is the mother of invention.” Plato

 

[Travis Fry]

I like it! I think there could really be a market for something like this.

One of my very first knives (made when I was about 12) had a hollow walnut handle and a very light blade and was designed to float for the same reason. It totally sucked as far as fit and finish, but it did what it was meant to and it's still my beater shop knife 20 years and many, many knives later.

 

[One]

They've been around quite a while, but you don't see many custom/handmade ones these days.

 

[LiamLynch]

I grew up in a community only accessible by boat. A high quality floating knife would be rather popular up there.

 

[Calvin Robinson]

Tai,
Looks like your having fun catching all those fish! Don't forget to show us the knife when you get it done.

 

[One]

Here's the basic handle construction.

I made the long tube a little shy of the overall handle length, so I can put the cork under compression at final assembly. The short tube fits snug inside the long tube.

The end pieces are silver brazed to the tubing.

 

[One]

So far, it still floats.

I think I can get a thin little fish gutting blade in without sinking it. I’ll be able to test it first though. Don’t think the epoxy will add much weight.

I’m thinking about putting it in a wearable corked lightweight floating tube, instead of a conventional sheath. Bamboo would be nice,... if I had a piece it fit in.

Hope it works.

... too much fun!

 

[One]

Here's this little screw press I made, so I can put the cork under compression at final assembly.

... Still need to heat treat the blade etc., first, but here's what it looks like so far. This should make cleaning fish more fun and efficient.

It still floats.

 

[Calvin Robinson]

Cool knife Tai,and I like the press too,I think I can use that idea on a project I have coming up.
I hope you catch lots more fish to use your new knife on.

 

[One]

Thanks Calv.

I'm thinking,... where has the little fish knife screw press been all my long life? LOL

... could have used it lots of times.

The sunfish made me do it!

 

[BonhamBlades]

let us know how it turns out. my fav knife from my childhood is a floating knife, however it is not cork. the handle and scabard are made out of a light boyant wood.

 

[One]

O.K.

I had the "cigar tube" type floating scabbard done yesterday, but decided to try and make it a little shorter today.

The knife itself came out to only 33 grams, (just a hair over a troy ounce)... super light. Besides floating, I think the cork has merit just as a great grip, wet or dry. It's the nicest feeling handle material I've ever held.

 

[One]

Here's the floating cigar tube scabbard. It's made from,... plastic, sheet foam (inside and out), woven cotton cord and cork. It's water tight and lightweight,... an easy worry free carry. Just hook it on a belt loop.

Here's the whole package. It all works and should be a fun one to use,... not too often I get to make myself a special knife.

 

[Calvin Robinson]

That's as cool as grits and groovy as gravy!
When I first looked I thought the butt end of the knife sealed at the mouth of the sheath and was sticking out like the handle of any other knife would but the way you did it is probably better.
Cool idea all the way around!

 

[One]

Yeah..."Groovy". I bet the tactical fish hippies, AKA "T-fippies", (like myself), will love it! It's a huge market! LOL

Calv,... that was the original idea, but thought this might be better, though a bit more bulky. This one is already so lightweight and user friendly, you hardly know your wearing it,... but I'll probably try one like that just as an option, just to make it shorter and more compact.

... nibble nibble..... Wham! ---------------------------------j <*((Z(((><K

FOB
Fish On Brothers!