Forging A Classic Hidden Tang Belt Knife, Elk Antler Shed Handle - Blacksmithing And Knifemaking

I want to make a classic looking belt knife. I'm using 52100 steel and elk antler shed. The guard and butt are brass.
First, I'll cut pieces of stock from a bar of steel and then forge the blade from this. After forging a series of heat treatments are employed for optimum steel condition prior to hardening, and finally tempering. This makes a tough blade that holds an excellent edge, and sharpens easily.
Next, I'll grind the blade to finished dimensions using my KMG belt grinders. This process takes practice to achieve an even and consistent bevel on either side of the blade. After grinding, hand sanding creates a finished look that is only achieved by hand, giving the blade a truly heirloom quality fit and finish.
The guard and butt are made from brass stock, and must be carefully fit to the blade. This is also time consuming and tedious, but the results are worth it.
Finally, the main handle is installed. Antler or "stag" is a timeless knife handle material that's been used for hundreds of years, and I'm using a piece of elk shed for this knife.
firecreekforge.com
/ firecreekforge
#knife #forge #blacksmith

Пікірлер: 118

  • @edanpino-xt1ph
    @edanpino-xt1ph5 ай бұрын

    Forget the knife, that axe is sharp. Color me impressed, I’ve only ever seen axes that sharp coming from myself or an old friend of mine

  • @michaelh2797
    @michaelh27979 ай бұрын

    Love the final product, especially the grind on the handle. Would hang that off my belt any day.

  • @6Sally5
    @6Sally59 ай бұрын

    Absolutely beautiful hunting knife! Perfection.

  • @lowbudgetbob1155
    @lowbudgetbob11559 ай бұрын

    I like the textured guard, gives a different rugged look 👍

  • @paullambert4445
    @paullambert44459 ай бұрын

    Nice looking knife. I really like the antler scale. Thanks 🔪🎸

  • @Kfirst86
    @Kfirst869 ай бұрын

    Awesome work! Glad to see your going strong in all this heat we've had. Blessings to you and yours.

  • @leatherface711
    @leatherface7119 ай бұрын

    i’ve been watching your channel for years now and i have no words to express how much i love your videos i have learned from you as a blade smith myself and find myself watching old videos of your channel all the time, thank you for sharing this with us.

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    9 ай бұрын

    Thanks I appreciate that!

  • @magnusbergroth5319
    @magnusbergroth53194 ай бұрын

    Great build! 👍

  • @ataarjomand
    @ataarjomand7 ай бұрын

    Excellent job 🙏

  • @stephenjohnson6841
    @stephenjohnson68419 ай бұрын

    I turned out very nice as usual. Thank you once again for how detailed you go through your processes!

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    8 ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @tedtalotti332
    @tedtalotti3329 ай бұрын

    Looks good

  • @BigB75
    @BigB759 ай бұрын

    Looks good!

  • @MASI_forging
    @MASI_forging9 ай бұрын

    An awesome knife. You have done a great work 🙂🙂

  • @thorsmith59
    @thorsmith599 ай бұрын

    Nicely done sir.

  • @willardjames2685
    @willardjames26859 ай бұрын

    Awesome video brother!

  • @geraldstamour1312
    @geraldstamour13124 ай бұрын

    Dope AF knife, @FireCreekForge! This ought to be in a high-end sporting goods catalog and/or retailer!

  • @cybermechx
    @cybermechx9 ай бұрын

    Looking Good! I definitely need more practice on through tang builds.

  • @MiguelAngel-gg6hc
    @MiguelAngel-gg6hc2 ай бұрын

    Nice job bro 👏

  • @sammartinez8084
    @sammartinez80845 ай бұрын

    This is a great idea 💡😊😊👌👌👌👌👌👌👍👍👍👍👍🎖️🎖️🎖️🎖️

  • @anameza1036
    @anameza10369 ай бұрын

    wish I could own this knife amazing work thank you 😍

  • @mikeailey6035
    @mikeailey60359 ай бұрын

    Great video

  • @kentstringer4160
    @kentstringer41604 ай бұрын

    Nice!

  • @Anderson-HandForged
    @Anderson-HandForged9 ай бұрын

    Elijha great job on the knife looks great i really enjoy your content i have learned alot from you these past 3 years thanks very much Mark👍👍✌

  • @user-qt4tf6xh2g
    @user-qt4tf6xh2g2 ай бұрын

    Great 🛠️

  • @dirtfarmer7472
    @dirtfarmer74729 ай бұрын

    Elijah I see that you are still in Texas, I think that’s a good thing. I just don’t care for the cold. The knife turned out beautiful. Thank you Sir for this video

  • @redazi1
    @redazi18 ай бұрын

    Beautiful work

  • @tyduschl5976
    @tyduschl59769 ай бұрын

    Very nice job!

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    9 ай бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @jcubetube3778
    @jcubetube37789 ай бұрын

    Looks great as usual brother! ❤️🔪

  • @ariva-ariva
    @ariva-ariva9 ай бұрын

    Greetings from Russia! You have very high-quality products! Like for the video!

  • @jenniferwhite6089
    @jenniferwhite60899 ай бұрын

    i used a back leg bone from the elk for the handle of the knife and had other plans for the elk antlers too both of them did turn out fantastic too

  • @ronaldgordon3230
    @ronaldgordon32309 ай бұрын

    That knife is gorgeous and I know it's a very well made blade. I'm a naturalist at heart and I'm sure you'd agree that the right natural materials are better than synthetic ones.

  • @andrewmcgibbon9785
    @andrewmcgibbon97859 ай бұрын

    Handsome blade.

  • @davidyersz8668
    @davidyersz86689 ай бұрын

    Amazing beautiful looking knife

  • @carlosdoliveira3132
    @carlosdoliveira31324 ай бұрын

    me gusto mucho excelente gracia

  • @solacegrove9752
    @solacegrove97524 ай бұрын

    I have the bad habit of fast forward through a video just to watch the beginning and the end result but you make me watch the whole thing 😆 I been looking for an antler handle knife and I think I found it. Going to your web page to check your inventory.

  • @lukelofgren4108
    @lukelofgren41089 ай бұрын

    I don't know what is going on with KZread but I've been a subscriber and had all notifications turned on for years and I never got notified of this video.. Elijah your forging videos are the best! And I just ordered a 6t Norton fly press with 12" daylight that I'm extremely excited to receive! I had to tell someone who might know what I'm talking about

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    9 ай бұрын

    Yeah the tube is goofy sometimes. That's cool on the fly press, should be a great addition!

  • @giorgichalisuri8962
    @giorgichalisuri89629 ай бұрын

    It is the best work 👍👍

  • @richardvoigts4574
    @richardvoigts45746 ай бұрын

    So nice. No, it`s amazing! if only I had a workshop as you have, but in a panel house? :-)

  • @rustyknifelover4463
    @rustyknifelover44636 ай бұрын

    Very nice Brother

  • @theriversexperience9383
    @theriversexperience93839 ай бұрын

    I really like how this one turned out.

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    9 ай бұрын

    Thanks man

  • @theriversexperience9383

    @theriversexperience9383

    9 ай бұрын

    @@FireCreekForge the 5 lb hammer I got from you has been a conversation piece in my comment section on my forging videos lol. Once you get use to it, it's easy to swing.

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    9 ай бұрын

    @@theriversexperience9383 great to hear, thanks man

  • @beb32225
    @beb322259 ай бұрын

    I'm assuming that you could make the tang longer during the forging process and put threads on it instead of welding a screw onto it?

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    9 ай бұрын

    Yes, that's another good way to do it.

  • @wullgrew1
    @wullgrew19 ай бұрын

    Looks like a package from New Jersey Steel Baron.

  • @richardturk7162
    @richardturk71626 ай бұрын

    Very fair prices too.

  • @gusthomas
    @gusthomas9 ай бұрын

    I really enjoy your videos. I find they have an AMSR effect on me. And oh yeah, you're knives are awesome! One thing I would have liked to see on this one would be an inch or so of jimping on the spine. Just a thought not a criticism 😁

  • @imranbashir2833
    @imranbashir28339 ай бұрын

    Great to get back to the long format videos! Any idea when the next installment of the puukko project will be?

  • @caseyrocquin6912
    @caseyrocquin69127 ай бұрын

    Great video. Good work Makers mark seem a bit large.

  • @bartrainer3916
    @bartrainer39168 ай бұрын

    Open de cardboard box with the axe... You are so cool!

  • @582ChevelleSS
    @582ChevelleSS6 ай бұрын

    Excellent work. I am thinking your thumbs are pretty seasoned to the heated generated when grinding .. amazing product

  • @randallporter6841
    @randallporter68417 ай бұрын

    Love the graduation of Steel, Brass, Antler, Brass. The only thing better looking (in my opinion) is the butt end of an antler. Also thanks for no music.

  • @leebarry6445
    @leebarry64457 ай бұрын

    Little things with hard work. But it's worth. 😂

  • @christophersherratt7299
    @christophersherratt72996 ай бұрын

    Ps use very strong coffee on the high points

  • @clifbradley
    @clifbradley9 ай бұрын

    Hey Patrick I have a lead...maybe..on a potential client. Roman Sharf. He's on KZread and sells luxury watches and jewelry. Obviously making money and he likes to spend it on guns, art and he loves vintage machinery as well. He's talked about few times about knife collecting and he would like to maybe get into it, but he doesn't know much about the business. He has clients who have pocket knives worth over $9k and above. With your style and artist level of blade making, I think he would probably love to buy a piece from you or more. Rumor has it that he's been looking for a damascus clinch pick, or small kerambit. Something concealed in his belt that he can pull out and rapidly stab and cut. He deals with end stuff you know. Not sure if the rumor is true, but either way, it's a starting point..if you're interested

  • @TheMotownPhilly
    @TheMotownPhilly9 ай бұрын

    Excellent knife. Anyway, i could get a link to where you buy your dremel bits? I have some, but they dont go through brass like yours.

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    9 ай бұрын

    I got this carbide burr off Amazon

  • @jbyrd3304
    @jbyrd33046 ай бұрын

    Have you tried pops 8670? I love that steel

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    6 ай бұрын

    No, haven't used 8670 before

  • @paulyoder865
    @paulyoder8659 ай бұрын

    Impressive sharpening skills: box cutter axe

  • @jameswilkes3186
    @jameswilkes31869 ай бұрын

    Excellent video as always. Did you make your bracelet?

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    9 ай бұрын

    Thanks! no, I did not.

  • @rogerkruse7121
    @rogerkruse71218 ай бұрын

    Wouldn't it be stronger if you put a couple of holes in the tang before you harden it, to create some glue rivets in the handle. Also did you glue the bolster on. I thought the shape of the blade was elegant. Very pleasing to the eye. It looked very well balanced too, nice work. This is the first time I've seen one of your videos, nicely done 👍

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    8 ай бұрын

    Thanks! With a threaded through tang, and epoxied everything, it doesn't really need the epoxy rivets.

  • @ClenioBuilder
    @ClenioBuilder9 ай бұрын

    👏👏👏👏👏🤜🤛

  • @mulepowerforge
    @mulepowerforge9 ай бұрын

    So one thing I dont understand is normalizing vs annealing vs grain refinement. Id imagine the effect each has on steel would be of significant difference if your doing a different cycle for each one? I heat up the steel and let it cool down slowly and do a couple cycles like that before quenching. I just call it annealing, and it seems to refine the grain and give me better edge retention. Im curious cause Im still learning, especially about heat treatment and everyone seems to say different things, do it differently or they believe their way is better or something like that etc. Its like asking ten different people the same Q and getting ten different answers. I guess my question is why do a different cycle each time rather than just an anneal or just a grain refinement? And whats the reason(s) that makes you do different cycles? Thanks!

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    9 ай бұрын

    I may have to do a video on it, it's a lot to explain in a comment. Basically, each heat process does something a bit different.

  • @soonerfrac4611
    @soonerfrac46119 ай бұрын

    It’s been a while since I’ve really paid attention, but did the move out of Texas back up North not happen? Regardless I’m always impressed by your work.

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    9 ай бұрын

    No sir, we haven't moved yet.

  • @christophersherratt7299
    @christophersherratt72996 ай бұрын

    If you put the same diameter bit so it fit the ridges would look far better than flat that doesn't look natural trace it before you grind it of put paper over use charcoal give you perfect copy

  • @JK-zq9vw
    @JK-zq9vw9 ай бұрын

    I am needing assistance in working metal down. I’ve seen power hammers and hydraulic presses used and homemade versions of each. If you had to make one and had none of the tools/metal fab skills which would you go with? ATM I can’t even afford to buy a “no weld” belt grinder kit much less one of these. What would you choose first out of the two?

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    9 ай бұрын

    I would start with a press.

  • @rvsbladesnthangs
    @rvsbladesnthangs9 ай бұрын

    Hey man, I'm in Plainview going to school at Wayland and I was wondering if you will be offering any classes or any type of workshops? "All work and no play" you know what I mean? 😂

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    9 ай бұрын

    Shoot me an email and we can discuss a custom option. Thanks!

  • @280AI
    @280AI9 ай бұрын

    I think you call it the ricasso , but I have always wondered what the purpose of it is. That is as I understand the blank steel between the blade and guard. I never buy a knife that has that feature. It seems like waste space and added weight for a mountain hunter. Thank you in advance for your reply.

  • @christophersherratt7299
    @christophersherratt72999 ай бұрын

    On the end of the tang use the same metal that knife is made from cut the slot the same then use a rod that you have taped grind down to fit slot Then you can use fusion weld A car battery with jump leads 2 copper bolts with shamvor attach them to old car panel clamps you have them then apply pressure on the bolts use RUBBER GLOVES Hope I've explained ok so OR YOU CAN DO SAME THING BY PUTTING END TO END PUSH TOGETHER AND DEBURE IF NEED TO

  • @christophersherratt7299

    @christophersherratt7299

    9 ай бұрын

    Ps that how they put together concrete mesh 6-8mm in diameter

  • @donhaney7753
    @donhaney77536 ай бұрын

    I'm looking to make something similar except I'm buying a blank since I don't have a forge or have a clue how to go about it. What kind of epoxy do you use to secure the tang to the antler?

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    6 ай бұрын

    I currently use BSI 30 minute epoxy

  • @donhaney7753

    @donhaney7753

    6 ай бұрын

    @@FireCreekForge thank you, sir

  • @user-bv8sl1gt7o
    @user-bv8sl1gt7o9 ай бұрын

    Надо было коробку бензопилой открывать...

  • @GreenRayJC
    @GreenRayJC9 ай бұрын

    hmm. when I do the tang first, while forging my blade, the tang ends up bending and twisting a lot. However I'm hand forging, no power hammers here.

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    9 ай бұрын

    Two ways to minimize this: heat up only the blade, so the tang remains ridgid, secondly, using slot jaw tongs hold the blade as close to or at the ricasso.

  • @scottthorning3963
    @scottthorning39639 ай бұрын

    That's kinda what we use on elk and deer where I live, that's a nice knife, but its just a little too big, just saying...

  • @edanpino-xt1ph

    @edanpino-xt1ph

    5 ай бұрын

    Seems just fine to me, but I live in the desert. Bigger knives are always favored here, even back in the day. The toothpick or the bowie was more the style over a trade knife, you just had to learn how to use the bigger knife like it was smaller

  • @christophersherratt7299
    @christophersherratt72996 ай бұрын

    Why didn't you use the dremel with a fine bit to cut the groves back in the antler knowing how much care you took making it would of finished it properly

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    6 ай бұрын

    I don't think that would look good, wouldn't look natural.

  • @haroldcotten1840
    @haroldcotten18407 ай бұрын

    Can you baton wood with your knives, I camp alot

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    7 ай бұрын

    Most of my knives are not designed for batoning. I do make some that are and that is stated in the description when I list them for sale.

  • @haroldcotten1840

    @haroldcotten1840

    7 ай бұрын

    @@FireCreekForge Ok thank you I'll check

  • @christianmillhollon4481
    @christianmillhollon44819 ай бұрын

    Wasn't the bowie created to be a skinning knife and the tip was to make it easy to get under the skin with minimal damage to the meat

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    9 ай бұрын

    I have not heard of that. Well there is variation to the Bowie design, historically its main purpose was as a weapon, for self-defense usually. A Bowie style clip point isn't well-suited for field dressing and skinning.

  • @christianmillhollon4481

    @christianmillhollon4481

    9 ай бұрын

    @@FireCreekForge I'm pretty sure the bowie knives with the very pronounced clip point were used for skinning so that you could use the spine of the knife against the meat and drag it so that it wouldn't leave cuts in the meat for when you want to preserve it and as it has a round shape to it it would make it easier to rap it around meat when cutting the skin

  • @christianmillhollon4481

    @christianmillhollon4481

    9 ай бұрын

    @@FireCreekForge It was designed for hunting, but was used for self defense, In 1838 Rezin P. Bowie, brother of Alamo hero James Bowie claimed that he made the first Bowie knife while the Bowies lived in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana. He designed it as a hunting knife and gave it to James for protection after his brother had been shot in a fight.

  • @jodycollins7326
    @jodycollins73268 ай бұрын

    What supplier do you purchase your steel from?

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    8 ай бұрын

    Mostly New Jersey Steel Baron

  • @gerryoneill8881
    @gerryoneill88819 ай бұрын

    I see why you needed a knife, opening a cardboard box with an axe😫. Doh!

  • @Loulou66720
    @Loulou667209 ай бұрын

    gg

  • @Cetrifuga1945
    @Cetrifuga19459 ай бұрын

    Nn male si può fare di meglio scusami 👍

  • @personaslates
    @personaslates9 ай бұрын

    You can't forge a Stag Handle, the Stags make their own antlers.

  • @markh9981
    @markh99817 ай бұрын

    Hello there Do you sell any of your work???? 😊

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    7 ай бұрын

    Yes sir, firecreekforge dot com

  • @markh9981

    @markh9981

    7 ай бұрын

    @@FireCreekForge how do I get a list of available knives for sale? Please let me know 👍🥺🤔

  • @FireCreekForge

    @FireCreekForge

    7 ай бұрын

    @@markh9981 All available knives are up on the website; if something is no longer available it will show out of stock.

  • @christianmillhollon4481
    @christianmillhollon44819 ай бұрын

    Why not a knife you forged yourself lol the only thing troublesome was the axe

  • @robrobinson8328
    @robrobinson83289 ай бұрын

    Milk the clock much? Took like 2 hours to open a cardboard box...geez!

  • @ShattyMac
    @ShattyMac7 ай бұрын

    You lost me in the first 30 seconds. Opening cardboard box with axe. 🤦‍♂️

  • @wojtekkubacki5382
    @wojtekkubacki53829 ай бұрын

    You don't have knife

  • @johnnymccann5607
    @johnnymccann56077 ай бұрын

    we have had our enemies for years coming to our country legally and illegally. with all our borders open we.are sitting ducks .I'm expecting something to Happen. its not if,but when it's definitely going to happen American is so unprepared. Papa

  • @burttaylor8852
    @burttaylor88528 ай бұрын

    instead of welding next time try high temperature silver brazing. make a v shaped cut in the end of the tang and then shape the tang end of the bolt to fit in it. and then braze them together. like brazing a carbide tooth onto a saw. it is very strong.

  • @DavidEricWilliams
    @DavidEricWilliams9 ай бұрын

    Nice!