Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: Lucasade on October 08, 2018, 01:33:45 pm

Title: Bone knife
Post by: Lucasade on October 08, 2018, 01:33:45 pm

Been away for quite a while - life got in the way big time. I'm now trying to finish off some projects before starting anything new. This is a knife I made for use in our camper van to go with the set of birch spoons I already made. The blade is cow bone, handle is laburnum cut in my village fixed with bone pins and birch pitch, finished with mix of beeswax and tallow. The entire process done only with hand tools from end to end. It's my first ever knife so any pointers for the future would be very welcome.

(https://i.imgur.com/YHyXyIS.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/I8jaxA5.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/3GAxzcU.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/TbRLoa8.jpg)

Title: Re: Bone knife
Post by: Hawkdancer on October 08, 2018, 11:38:59 pm

Wow!!  That is very nice!  Gives me ideas for the elk leg my granddaughter found!  Very good craftsmanship!
Hawkdancer

Title: Re: Bone knife
Post by: Pappy on October 09, 2018, 04:58:19 am

Very nice work, that should work just fine. :)
 Pappy

Title: Re: Bone knife
Post by: Lucasade on October 09, 2018, 11:02:09 pm

Thank you - used it yesterday for the first time. I think I may re-profile the cutting edge to a more gentle taper for easier cutting.

Title: Re: Bone knife
Post by: stuckinthemud on October 10, 2018, 02:25:10 pm

I'm just learning to work bone, didn't know it was strong enough for a knife blade, thanks for posting this.

Title: Re: Bone knife
Post by: DC on October 10, 2018, 04:46:53 pm

How well does it hold an edge? I'm thinking you couldn't carve wood with it much but would it last for butchering meat?

Title: Re: Bone knife
Post by: Lucasade on October 10, 2018, 10:55:48 pm

So far it's cut lettuce and cucumber just fine  )P( I understand a bone blade can cut anything up to but not including wood, and it's much easier to process than metal! Experiments will continue...

Title: Re: Bone knife
Post by: Zuma on October 12, 2018, 11:17:44 am

Very nice looking and cool 8) right down to the pins.
Zuma

Title: Re: Bone knife
Post by: Ryan Jacob on October 13, 2018, 07:12:41 am

Lucasade
That’s inspiring. Any tips for cutting out bone?

Title: Re: Bone knife
Post by: Lucasade on October 13, 2018, 07:35:20 am

Thanks guys. Ryan, I use a hacksaw for rough cuts then a metalwork blade on a fretsaw for the more detailed cuts. If you go slow it doesn't throw up too much dust but I usually wear a dust mask anyway. Others who know much more will correct me but I've found gently simmering a freshly stripped bone for about 5 minutes removes enough oils that it doesn't gum up the tools without removing so much it becomes brittle.

Title: Re: Bone knife
Post by: selfbow joe on October 14, 2018, 08:59:45 am

Cool looking knife

Title: Re: Bone knife
Post by: silverfox on November 16, 2018, 09:52:22 am

Wow that looks great