ERC Handle/IRT Blade (More Pics)

[ber643]

Here is my number 6 - I reckon I'll stop counting after a bit, maybe now - LOL. It is made on a nice old IRT (Indian Ridge Traders) blade blank, that I can't find listed anywhere anymore. Kind of a skinny blade from top to bottom but with a thick (3/16"), unflexible back as seen in this hand-held pic (and 3 1/2 inches of same thickness tang - there was also about an inch of threaded rod at the end that I cut off):

 

The handle I fashioned from a triangular stave end of Eastern Red Cedar (from Pat B), a piece of brass I cut and filed for the "Guard", another , thinner piece of brass fashioned for the butt cap, and pinned (epoxied) on with a 3/4" knurled brass bolt. Rest of the handle parts were also epoxied. I finished the ERC handle with 4 coats of Tru-oil. The blade is 4 1/2" and oa length is 9 1/8" :

[mullet]

  Good looking knife, Bernie. That blade looks like it was made for a "finger" knife, though.

[ber643]

If you mean fer nearly cutting yer finger off by mistake, I can vouch fer that!  Actually I have no idea. It certainly isn't for filleting, boning, or anything like that. My wife said it looked like one an outdoorsman might like for a general purpose camp knife though. I did a little research on the internet and they linked IRT and Green River knives together in some way, and I was thinking I had heard/read somewhere that the Green River knives were mostly designed (at first) for camp/trapper trade - but that's just my take on it.  I've also heard the term "Finger" knives but not at all sure of the meaning, unless maybe it's one that you lay your first finger along the back of the blade???

[Pat B]

Glad to see you using the stave ends. Thats a pretty little knife and the ERC handle sure sets it off.     Pat

[ber643]

Thanks, Pat. It was such a pretty (but weird) little blade that I wanted to give it a handle, and the piece of ERC just jumped out at me when I was trying "pieces" against it. Besides I know how pretty Cedar can be. (Sure smelt good while I was working it too - LOL)

[Otoe Bow]

That's nice man.  O'l number 6 sure is sweet. Keep make'n em even if you quit counting. 

Mike

 

[ber643]

LOL - you got that all right, Mike, don't think I can stop, in fact I have another (setting the guard) right now. Thank you for the look and kind words.

[Pappy]

Nice looking knife,love the looks of ERC, very light also.   
   Pappy

[ber643]

Yep, That's true, Pappy, thank you also.

I've posted two knives lately, and they were preceeded by the little one on the right in the following pics. Two questions have been asked on forums, that prompted me to add these two views. One question was regarding the shape of the Elk antler handle on the Bowie in the middle, and the other about "pinning" end caps (epoxied). The Red Cedar Handle on the left is capped with a thiner piece of brass that I fashioned and a 3/4", knurled-headed, brass bolt. Bowie's cap is White Corian pinned with a 1 1/4" Brass Srew with the slot filed off. The small one on the right has a small knob of Whitetail antler (front and back) pinned on with another of the knurled brass bolts. Hope this helps (anyone, in any way - LOL). I still need to get my buffing wheels set up so i can buff out the brass parts, etc. - but you get the idea(s)