Expendables Knife

[Vuk]

My bro and I have been making knives since we were kids (I made my first knife out of an old mower blade when I was just wee laddie), so when our martial arts buddy (who is an absolute knife fanatic) got married, it seemed that the most obvious choice for his wedding present was a knife.
My bro and I made him this, as a tribute to Gunnar's knife from the Expendables:




My bro and I are completely broke, so we had to make it out of all materials and tools we already had (which is why it has a rough sanded finish), so we made it out of the leaf spring to a '94 F150. We had to guess at the grade of steel, and harden it by sight. We ended up differentially hardening and tempering it, gave it a 20 degree edge, and a solid steel handle. Its balance point is half an inch in front of the cross-guard (not typical for bowies, but we thought more control would be needed for a 21 inch knife, so we kept the balance point a little closer to the handle)

It is very rough, but the best an unemployed man can do on a budget with scrap steel, an ancient angle grinder that keeps breaking down, and hand tools. :P
So what do you think? Would you rather our slightly larger version (nearly the same overall length, but with a shorter handle. Also, we made the blade thicker and wider), or Gunnar's sissy knife? :P
EDIT: Note, this last comment is meant as a joke. I mean no offense toward Gil Hibben or his excellent designs.

[rajpoot]

That's a pretty awesome piece of work!

You know if you make this kind of stuff and sell it, people will be queuing up to buy. Only the other day I was checking out this website that sold replica swords....there really appears to be money in this business.

Edit:
What does it weigh?
Also did you cast the handle with aluminium or what?

[Vuk]

That's a pretty awesome piece of work!

You know if you make this kind of stuff and sell it, people will be queuing up to buy. Only the other day I was checking out this website that sold replica swords....there really appears to be money in this business.

Edit:
What does it weigh?
Also did you cast the handle with aluminium or what?

Thanks rajpoot! Yeah, I know there is a market for it. My bro and I are actually seriously considering starting up a business. We just need to find jobs (which neither of us have been able to since we have graduated) and put some money into tools (a real forge, rather than our half-butt one, a KMG industrial grinder, a plasma table, etc). It will take an investment, but we hope to start up a business some day.

As far as how much it weighs, I am not sure. I didn't weigh it, and I don't have it anymore (I gave it as a gift). I do know this though, it is not too heavy as to be unwieldy (that is my opinion, but I have been practicing with swords and knives since I was a kid, and I am a large person), but it is heavy enough to make its hacking and pommelling as deadly as its stabbing and slicing. As far as the handle, it is made of solid steel. We welded on two pieces of spring steel with a MIG welder (which was really tricky, as we had to do it tiny bit at a time, so as not to mess up our temper), and then ground out the handle. That thing is solid, and a pummel from it will hurt for sure.

[Voigtkampf]

That is great work, especially given the circumstances. Well done, Wolf!

Personally, I craved the Hibben Jackal model. If I get around money at some point again, it will enter my collection.

[Fragony]

I want one of these http://www.google.nl/search?num=10&h...1ZMaQJf5jzSXM: made by the Finnish northern tribes. Extremely good quality

[Vuk]

I want one of these http://www.google.nl/search?num=10&h...1ZMaQJf5jzSXM: made by the Finnish northern tribes. Extremely good quality

I'll tell you what, if I ever get a knife making business going, I'll make you one.

[Fragony]

I'll tell you what, if I ever get a knife making business going, I'll make you one.

It actually sounds like a sound investment, people love custom stuff. Make me a plan, crisis is for cowards

You will love my weapon collection by the way, I collect African ceremonial swords, they aren't replica's some are hundreds of years old. Not very easy to get your greedy hands on. I'll put some pics online if interested

[rajpoot]

I'll tell you what, if I ever get a knife making business going, I'll make you one.

Can we all start placing orders?

[PanzerJaeger]

Very cool. I've never been into combat type knives (they seem so quaint next to guns), but that is some quality work. I'd buy one for my dad, who doesn't discriminate between knives, guns, or any weapons.

[Fragony]

Very cool. I've never been into combat type knives (they seem so quaint next to guns), but that is some quality work. I'd buy one for my dad, who doesn't discriminate between knives, guns, or any weapons.

^ customer. Give me something substantial Vukkie and you got yourself your own Teutan sugardaddy. Nothing is ever impossible if you grab your chances.

[Vuk]

It actually sounds like a sound investment, people love custom stuff. Make me a plan, crisis is for cowards

You will love my weapon collection by the way, I collect African ceremonial swords, they aren't replica's some are hundreds of years old. Not very easy to get your greedy hands on. I'll put some pics online if interested

Yeah, my bro and I have come up with a lot of very practical and unique designs, and we figure we can get between $400-$1000 for a knife when we get the equipment.
And yeah, I'd love to see the pics of your sword collection.

Can we all start placing orders?

Probably best to wait till we set up the business. When/if we do, I will post on the Org and let ya'll know.

Very cool. I've never been into combat type knives (they seem so quaint next to guns), but that is some quality work. I'd buy one for my dad, who doesn't discriminate between knives, guns, or any weapons.

When we get set up, just tell me what you are looking for.

^ customer. Give me something substantial Vukkie and you got yourself your own Teutan sugardaddy. Nothing is ever impossible if you grab your chances.

lol, I warn you Frags, my bro and I are really good at making useful knives, but not so good at making beautiful knives (yet). We don't engrave, have never made bone handles, or anything fancy like that. That said though, with time we hope to get skills under our belts that will allow us to.

[Fragony]

I am not kidding, I will provide you everything you need, it's a good idea.

[Crazed Rabbit]

I gotta hand it to you and your brother Vuk, that's a great gift; something that's cool and handmade.

CR

[Strike For The South]

[Ja'chyra]

Let me know if you get started, I'm always on the look out for a new sgian dubh, the one i use at the minute is similar to this

[Fragony]

Here are two of my swords by the way, I got a lot more but these are my favourites

[Papewaio]

Note to self stop p!ss!ng off Frag...

[Fragony]

Note to self stop p!ss!ng off Frag...

Oh don't worry they are really old, they will probably break before I can hit you with it. Many a museum would love to get their hands on these puppies.

If someone can make sense out of these engravings please do by the way, the Portugese felt the need to kill them all so I can't ask anyone

[rajpoot]

How did you manage to get your hands on pieces like these?
Cause stuff like this at auctions....I dare not even guess what it will cost.

[Fragony]

How did you manage to get your hands on pieces like these?
Cause stuff like this at auctions....I dare not even guess what it will cost.

Well they would cost a lot

[Andres]

@Vuk , would you ship overseas?

[Peasant Phill]

Here are two of my swords by the way, I got a lot more but these are my favourites

Can I imagine you dual wielding these swords butt naked? Preferably with a bit of froth on your lips.

[Fragony]

Can I imagine you dual wielding these swords butt naked? Preferably with a bit of froth on your lips.

Sure but everything will fall apart if I do such a thing, they are really fragile just a tip with your finger will probably destroy them, not going to try. Notice how the tip is already suffering from oxidation, that can't be helped it will eventually just get broken.

[HopAlongBunny]

Nice work Vuk!

If it's something you have a passion for, I certainly hope you go "pro" :)

[Vuk]

If someone can make sense out of these engravings please do by the way, the Portugese felt the need to kill them all so I can't ask anyone

Nice Frags! They are beautiful. Just make sure that if you don't have family that will take really good care of them that you leave them to a museum in your will.
Mind if I ask what countries they come from?

@Vuk , would you ship overseas?

Well, I don't really have a knife making business and probably won't for years, but yeah, I don't see why not when I do.

Nice work Vuk!

If it's something you have a passion for, I certainly hope you go "pro" :)

Thanks!

[Fragony]

They are African, I am not sure of where, central Africa at least, and probably 200/300 years old,and I am not sure of that either it's a really really rough estimate.

[Ja'chyra]

If it helps I'll trust you enough to pre-order and pay up front, I'd need an idea of costs though