Author Topic: Colclesser Project WIP (Read 20657 times)

lgm · « **Reply #50 on:** July 08, 2017, 08:36:01 PM »

Yes this looks outstanding, the best kephart reproduction I have seen.
Might need one myself.

wolfy · « **Reply #51 on:** July 08, 2017, 09:29:27 PM »

Quote from Sarge: "I'm pleased with the overall look of it but I need to tweak it a bit. This one has a 4 3/4" blade and a 5" handle. The original has a 5" blade and a 4 3/4" handle. That's an easy fix on the next one. The pinch point on the original is more subtle than this one. I also need to work on the convex grind."

Wolfy: I think you did a GREAT job on the prototype and I would be as happy as a pig in a mud puddle to own it, but like you said, "The original has a 5" blade and a 4 3/4" handle." I also see what you are saying about the deeper than 'original' pinch point. I dream of a 5" blade and 4 3/4" handle because I like a little extra length in the blade for reaching the bottom of the peanut butter jar

.......and my hands aren't really that big, so the shorter handle would be better, too, I think.

PetrifiedWood · « **Reply #52 on:** July 09, 2017, 12:26:01 AM »

Looks fantastic! I can appreciate the desire to tweak and tune things here and there, but that knife is probably the closest thing to the original to have been made in many decades. Well done!

crashdive123 · « **Reply #53 on:** July 09, 2017, 06:04:26 AM »

Very nicely done.

Quenchcrack · « **Reply #54 on:** July 09, 2017, 08:01:40 AM »

Very nicely done, Sarge!

wolfy · « **Reply #55 on:** July 09, 2017, 10:20:01 AM »

"He that can have patience can have what he will."
― Benjamin Franklin

"I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end."
― Margaret Thatcher

"Much wiser people than I have said it best."
- wolfy

OutdoorEnvy · « **Reply #56 on:** July 10, 2017, 11:34:51 AM »

Quote from: wolfy on July 09, 2017, 10:20:01 AM

"He that can have patience can have what he will."
― Benjamin Franklin

"I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end."
― Margaret Thatcher

"Much wiser people than I have said it best."
- wolfy

LOL! Those are all good wolfy...especially that last one

I joke with people that if I'm the smartest one in the room that's a real problem...

Moe M. · « **Reply #57 on:** July 14, 2017, 04:41:26 PM »

All it needs now is a well made Kephart sheath.

Unknown · « **Reply #58 on:** July 24, 2017, 12:55:15 PM »

Quote from: Quenchcrack on June 22, 2017, 01:09:48 PM

Looking great, Sarge! I have ground a few distal tapers and quite honestly, could not really appreciate the effect if produced. Years ago, I bought a machete at the local Academy store. It was made by Collins Axe and the machete blade had a distal taper. The effect was that the blade bent in a smooth arc from the haft to the tip. The practical effect was to lessen the impact on the wrist of flexing in use. I have never found another machete made that way.

Good luck Sarge. Darn, sorry I missed the pics before hosting crapped out.

QC the only distal taper machete, or machete like object with distal taper I have seen is reverse distal taper- that is, they get thicker at the tip. A good leuku or butchers cleaver "should" be made like that

PetrifiedWood · « **Reply #59 on:** July 24, 2017, 05:33:12 PM »

Quote from: Unknown on July 24, 2017, 12:55:15 PM

Quote from: Quenchcrack on June 22, 2017, 01:09:48 PM
Looking great, Sarge! I have ground a few distal tapers and quite honestly, could not really appreciate the effect if produced. Years ago, I bought a machete at the local Academy store. It was made by Collins Axe and the machete blade had a distal taper. The effect was that the blade bent in a smooth arc from the haft to the tip. The practical effect was to lessen the impact on the wrist of flexing in use. I have never found another machete made that way.

Good luck Sarge. Darn, sorry I missed the pics before hosting crapped out.

QC the only distal taper machete, or machete like object with distal taper I have seen is reverse distal taper- that is, they get thicker at the tip. A good leuku or butchers cleaver "should" be made like that

So would that make it a proximal taper?

Sarge · « **Reply #60 on:** August 09, 2017, 08:37:15 AM »

PhuckFotobucket

Sorry about that... I feel better now.

Not much knife time recently but I'm still working on this project.

Here are some re-posted pics of the first attempt in case you missed the pre-hijack photos.

I was pleased with the overall looks but I missed a few subtleties when compared to the original. I left the blade too thick on the lower bevel and put a secondary bevel on the cutting edge.

Nice balance but I took too much wood from the pinch point.

My overall length was close but my blade was a little shorter and my handle a little longer than the original.

I cut out 4 blanks from a sawmill blade and am currently working on my convex grinding. The top blade is O1 tool steel. I'll work on it after I practice on the 4 saw blade knives. With the first sawblade knife (in the foreground), I removed more stock from the lower bevel so the convex is thinner and the cutting edge is closer to a zero convex. It already cuts better than the first edition with the thicker convex. I also tried the soften the plunge lines on all 4 bevels.

wsdstan · « **Reply #61 on:** August 09, 2017, 09:23:06 AM »

Thanks for the update Sarge.

wolfy · « **Reply #62 on:** August 09, 2017, 02:12:03 PM »

Keep on keepin' on, Sarge.....I'm lookin' over your shoulder, but don't be nervous!

OutdoorEnvy · « **Reply #63 on:** August 09, 2017, 02:57:16 PM »

Looking pretty spiffy...

1066vik · « **Reply #64 on:** August 11, 2017, 08:16:58 PM »

looking forward to seeing some of these in 5 weeks!

Unknown · « **Reply #65 on:** August 12, 2017, 10:07:54 AM »

Thanks for redoing the pics Sarge

Took about 30 min for my phone to load them, but it was worth it.

A great project.

Quenchcrack · « **Reply #66 on:** August 12, 2017, 07:33:52 PM »

Sarge, I think you opened Pandora's box!

lgm · « **Reply #67 on:** August 12, 2017, 09:43:03 PM »

How is it you can do a side by side with the original? I thought Mr. Becker had it.

wolfy · « **Reply #68 on:** August 12, 2017, 10:51:17 PM »

Quote from: lgm on August 12, 2017, 09:43:03 PM

How is it you can do a side by side with the original? I thought Mr. Becker had it.

That's a good question........... ...OR, maybe Sarge has actually created an EXACT reproduction and is trying to decide how much he's going to scalp us for one!

wsdstan · « **Reply #69 on:** August 13, 2017, 08:09:53 AM »

I think that is the first one he made and that photo was taken when he met with Becker to show it to him.

Sarge · « **Reply #70 on:** August 13, 2017, 03:42:50 PM »

Yes, that is a pic of the first one I made beside the original. Mr. Becker was nice enough to allow me access for a side by side comparison and offer his critique.

wolfy · « **Reply #71 on:** August 13, 2017, 05:48:51 PM »

I knew that......I was just being a smarta$$.

Sarge · « **Reply #72 on:** August 23, 2017, 06:58:49 PM »

Still looking over my shoulder, wolfy? haha

I've finally finished knife #2 (1st of the 4 sawmill blade blanks). I got a step closer to where I want to be. I increased the blade length to 5" and shortened the handle a bit to more closely match the dimensions of the original - approximately 5 + 4 3/4 = 9 3/4" OAL.

I softened the plunge lines - still not perfect but better than the first. The convex grind is better on this one also. I thinned the lower bevel down and got closer to the zero convex. This greatly improved the cutting performance. It's a hair-popping, paper-slicing, wood-shaver!

Changed the shape of the scales a bit. I left them a little too thick but they were a little too thin on the first one. This one feels better in hand. This one weighs 7 oz. (same as the first one). The original weighs in at 5 oz., so I need to lighten the next one up a couple ounces.

Made a Kephart style sheath for this one.

Gratuitous glamour shot!

wsdstan · « **Reply #73 on:** August 23, 2017, 07:53:45 PM »

Great work Sarge. These are really something special to see evolve. It appears that you are really getting some good techniques developed. I am enjoying this a great deal.

wolfy · « **Reply #74 on:** August 23, 2017, 08:03:50 PM »

I just now found time to view the forum tonight and what to my wondering eyes should appear, but an even closer rendition of the original Colclesser/Kephart!

I'm ecstatic that you adopted this particular pattern to replicate, Sarge!

It's like watching an orchid bloom.....to me, anyway!

lgm · « **Reply #75 on:** August 23, 2017, 08:16:48 PM »

I don't know that I will ever own one of these but I truly appreciate the work & attention to detail you are putting into making them as close as possible to the original.
Well done.

upthecreek · « **Reply #76 on:** August 23, 2017, 08:19:55 PM »

Bad Ass

Creek

PetrifiedWood · « **Reply #77 on:** August 23, 2017, 09:43:00 PM »

Awesome!

This is really a great project to watch.

I think you should make a pile of them and work out a deal with a publisher to include one with Kephart's book.

OutdoorEnvy · « **Reply #78 on:** August 24, 2017, 07:55:42 AM »

That is just plain AWESOME Sarge! Loving it!

crashdive123 · « **Reply #79 on:** August 24, 2017, 03:28:04 PM »

wolfy · « **Reply #80 on:** September 18, 2017, 07:34:27 PM »

Any news?

We MUST be gettin' close.....I'm startin' to fidget!

wsdstan · « **Reply #81 on:** September 18, 2017, 08:31:14 PM »

Buy one of them spinner things. Then you can fidget all you want.

1066vik · « **Reply #82 on:** September 18, 2017, 09:25:09 PM »

2 are complete -- I got to handle both this weekend, and they're nice.
both of them have very well-made sheaths, as well.
1 blade is almost ready for scales
1 blade needs a bit more work before heat treat -- it's a little thick, currently.

Sarge · « **Reply #83 on:** September 19, 2017, 07:19:10 PM »

I haven't forgotten, wolfy, but thanks for the reminder. Haha.

Spinner things...That's funny stuff, wsdstan! LOL!

Thanks, Vik! I appreciate your tips on improving #3. I think I have the tapered tang where it needs to be.

I've been pleased with the cutting performance of knife #2 and I got some positive feedback this weekend at Becker's Gathering.

One of the improvements to #3 versus #2 will be the plunge line on the lower bevel. So far, I've started the bevels with a flat grind against the platen and cut a sharp plunge line. It then takes a lot of time and effort to soften it. I need to begin grinding with a softer plunge line and not have to work so hard to soften it. See #2 on top and #3 on bottom.

Here is a peek at Kephart #3 - ready for some furniture.

Cleaner plunge lines and I took the lower bevel down even closer to that zero convex. #3 should be a little better than #2 and a little closer to the 5 oz. weight of the Colclesser knife.

You droolin' yet, wolfy?

wsdstan · « **Reply #84 on:** September 19, 2017, 07:58:50 PM »

Looking great Sarge. Thanks for the update.

wolfy · « **Reply #85 on:** September 19, 2017, 08:02:36 PM »

Quote from: Sarge on September 19, 2017, 07:19:10 PM

I haven't forgotten, wolfy, but thanks for the reminder. Haha.

Spinner things...That's funny stuff, wsdstan! LOL!

Thanks, Vik! I appreciate your tips on improving #3. I think I have the tapered tang where it needs to be.

I've been pleased with the cutting performance of knife #2 and I got some positive feedback this weekend at Becker's Gathering.

One of the improvements to #3 versus #2 will be the plunge line on the lower bevel. So far, I've started the bevels with a flat grind against the platen and cut a sharp plunge line. It then takes a lot of time and effort to soften it. I need to begin grinding with a softer plunge line and not have to work so hard to soften it. See #2 on top and #3 on bottom.

Here is a peek at Kephart #3 - ready for some furniture.

Cleaner plunge lines and I took the lower bevel down even closer to that zero convex. #3 should be a little better than #2 and a little closer to the 5 oz. weight of the Colclesser knife.

You droolin' yet, wolfy?

What do YOU think?

1066vik · « **Reply #86 on:** September 19, 2017, 08:09:30 PM »

who cares about wolfy?

I'm droolin'!!!

wolfy · « **Reply #87 on:** September 19, 2017, 08:57:03 PM »

Vik>

<wolfy

Sarge · « **Reply #88 on:** September 20, 2017, 07:02:00 AM »

LOL!!!!

1066vik · « **Reply #89 on:** September 20, 2017, 08:41:57 PM »

touche!

Sarge · « **Reply #90 on:** October 16, 2017, 08:32:29 PM »

Not a lot of knife time lately but I've squeezed in a little time to work on #3. Still need to sharpen it but it's nearly done. Same dimensions as #2. Black walnut scales again with Tru-Oil finish.

Primary difference in #3 (foreground) and #2 (middle) is #3 has cleaner plunge lines, the scales are thinner, and the tang taper is more symmetrical - thanks to some tips from 1066vik.

I like the scale contour better on #2 (left)...

but the handle thickness on #3 is a little closer to the original.

Balances well

#400 grit satin finish

I've got two more blanks from the same sawblade as #2 and #3. Hopefully #4 and #5 will finish up a little closer to the original.

wolfy · « **Reply #91 on:** October 16, 2017, 10:05:38 PM »

They're lookin' better all the time, Sarge!

What's the story on that lanyard hole in #3's handle?

Colclesser Brothers Deluxe model perhaps?

Sarge · « **Reply #92 on:** October 17, 2017, 11:19:59 AM »

Thanks, wolfy. Just playing around and added the lanyard tube instead of a pin but that's a good idea. The Deluxe Model will, of course, cost a lot more. Hahaha.

wsdstan · « **Reply #93 on:** October 17, 2017, 11:38:20 AM »

They all look good. No. 3 is very nice.

lgm · « **Reply #94 on:** October 17, 2017, 08:12:15 PM »

looks great, Good to see progress. Thanks

1066vik · « **Reply #95 on:** October 18, 2017, 06:14:27 PM »

looking good!

Dano · « **Reply #96 on:** October 18, 2017, 06:47:48 PM »

The progress and changes have been a lot of fun to watch and see Sarge, you're doing great with these!!

So, something I've been struggling with.....and still almost want to bite my tongue, but I'll put it out there anyway.....part of me says these things are just screaming for a mosaic pin in the center. I know that strays WAY off base from the original, but..............

Maybe I'm wrong, eh? And perhaps not on ALL of them, but maybe a stray every once in a while doesn't hurt too much.

Sarge · « **Reply #97 on:** October 18, 2017, 08:12:22 PM »

Thanks, guys! As always, I appreciate the feedback.

No, Dano, I don't think that's way off base. I added the lanyard tube to the second one from the saw blade to make it a little different from the first sawblade knife. I have two more blanks from the same sawblade so a mosaic pin on one is a good idea to make it different. Hope it is ok if I steal your idea?

I put the cutting edge on #3 tonight. It's a hair popper!

Dabberty · « **Reply #98 on:** October 19, 2017, 11:23:35 PM »

Very well done Mr Sarge.
Personally I like the simplistic style of no spacers, no lanyard hole, no mosaic pins, etc, but then again, some deluxe models will be just as fine as well.
Keep up the good work !

wolfy · « **Reply #99 on:** October 20, 2017, 08:46:42 AM »

Quote from: Dabberty on October 19, 2017, 11:23:35 PM

Very well done Mr Sarge.
Personally I like the simplistic style of no spacers, no lanyard hole, no mosaic pins, etc, but then again, some deluxe models will be just as fine as well.
Keep up the good work !

ME, TOO. Give that man a cigar!

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Author Topic: Colclesser Project WIP (Read 20657 times)