Four Sock Knives

**Mr. Woolery** · 20th August 08, 05:10 PM

I don't know if this is better here or in the DIY, but here goes anyway.

I just finally took pictures of my most recent knife project. I made these blades a few years ago, ground from 5/32" 440C, heat-treated by Paul Bos, sharp. Just the last couple of months I have been stealing time to work on the handles and keep getting interrupted. Anyone with kids knows how that goes.

The blades are 4" long and all ground without templates or jigs or other fancy aids. I like to have my hands on the blades as much as possible. More personal. I don't like those filed in jimping notches that are so common on sgains dubh, because it becomes a much less comfortable tool. I make knives as tools and do my best to make them comfortable tools. All of these feel good to me.

Anyway, here are the first two. The handles are two different colors of Pakkawood (also marketed as Dymondwood - a laminated wood material that is resin impregnated and very durable, as well as waterproof). This material makes a very pretty handle, but it is missing something of the individuality of a solid wood handle. Still, it works great. I went for a sort of Coke-bottle shape on the handles and I am pleased with them.

The sheath is 8 ounce leather and is waxed for survival against a sweaty leg. I made sheaths for all 4, but they all look alike, so there's no reason to show every one of them.

Since I wanted some more individuality, I decided to also make a couple with wood handles. I have some Arizona Desert Ironwood that I bought a couple of years ago in Tucson (there's this neat sawmill place that is out in the middle of the desert, follow the dirt road along the railroad tracks, and they seemed genuinely surprised that anyone came all the way out there to buy their wood - but they still charged me plenty for it). This is my first time using it. I like the results.

And for a closer look at the handles:

My current plan is to attempt to trade three of these for things I might want and keep the last for myself. There's one fellow already has first dibs on his choice if he likes the pictures well enough, in exchange for an old bagpipe chanter I want and can't get anywhere else at present. Other things that interest me are (of course) kilts, fabric (I'm looking for Loud MacLeod), or odd musical instruments. If these do go up for trade, I will post a thread on the Trade forum.

So, there you go! That's what I did on my summer vacation!

-Patrick