I welcome the fans to work with steel, today we will consider how to make a knife in the Japanese spirit called "Tanto". The profile of such a knife has two cutting planes, such knives are also large, there are even whole swords. The knife handle is also made in the traditional spirit, it is wicker, it looks homemade pretty interesting. The blade is made of fairly strong steel grade 0-1. If the project interests you, I propose to study it in more detail!
Materials and tools used by the author:
Material List:
- a piece of steel 0-1;
- a suitable rope;
- skin or substitute;
- dragon figure (to your taste);
- wax.
Tool List:
- grinder;
- vise;
- belt sander;
- drilling machine;
- oven, oven, oil (for hardening);
- tools for etching the pattern.
Homemade manufacturing process:
Step one. Cut the knife profile
First of all, we take the blank, draw the desired profile on it and cut it out. The author quickly copes with the work with a grinder, holding the workpiece in a vice. The knife is small and simple in shape. After cutting, we proceed to grinding, which will bring the profile to the ideal.
Step Two Slopes
The bevels at the tanto knives are made only on one side of the blade, and which side depends on whether you are left-handed or right-handed. The result should be a kind of chisel. The knife has two cutting planes, the blades usually make straight, but the author has a little curved. The slopes can be easily brought to the eye, the blade is quite short, and there is no need to try to get symmetry, as when grinding on both sides.
We do not make the blades too thin so that the blade is not damaged during hardening. The norm for hardening is considered the thickness of the steel is about 1-2 mm, but it all depends on the specific grade of steel.
Step Three Holes
All the work of drilling holes do not forget to carry out before hardening, otherwise then it will be very difficult to do. The author drilled a series of holes in the handle area, this is done in order to facilitate the handle, so it will be more convenient to use a knife. We also drill a large diameter hole at the end of the handle.
Step FourHeat treatment
When the blade is completely ready, it can be hardened, we heat the steel to a non-magnetic state and immerse in oil.
After hardening, be sure to release the steel in the oven, otherwise it will be brittle. Vacation is usually carried out at 200 ° C for an hour. A successful vacation will be indicated by a coating on steel of straw shades.
Step Five Handle
We proceed to finish the handle, as a basis we need leather or its substitute. Cut two pieces in the shape of a handle and glue them to the handle with double-sided tape. These glued parts will serve as a backdrop.
Then you can proceed to winding the cord, and synthetic is suitable. To cord firmly stuck to the handle and took the desired shape, we rub it with wax. We wind the cord, as the author, if desired, lay on the base a flat figure of a dragon, a cross or other symbol at your discretion.
After the handle is ready, it needs to be warmed up well, while the wax particles will melt and the cord will stick well to the handle, fixing the shape. You can warm the hilt for a couple, and so that it does not get wet, wrap it with foil or put on a bag.
Step Six Sharpening
Correctly hardened steel can be sharpened to a razor condition and it will keep sharpening for a long time. The author sharpenes the belt machine by wetting the sanding belt with water. Thanks to water, steel is better polished, and it will not be so easy to overheat, which is unacceptable. To perfect condition, you can bring the blade by sharpening it with Japanese water stones.
Seventh step. Picture
If desired, a drawing can be made on the blade by etching or by electric current. With a picture, the blade will look more interesting, and even so you can put your coat of arms, a quality mark.
That's all, now the knife is ready, the homemade product looks great. I hope you enjoyed the project and found useful thoughts, good luck and creative inspiration for yourself if you decide to repeat this. Do not forget to share your ideas and homemade things with us!
