I was really sad yesterday when that video ended and was told that it was going to be several days till part 2 came out. What a great Saturday morning surprise
I’ve been making knives since February of this year based on your tutorials and I had an in town old timer knife maker tell me the other day “there is no way you have only been doing this for a few months” I’ve never been so proud to be called a liar. Thank you for all of the knowledge you share to new knife making hobbyist like me. It shows in our work.
"How to make knives" was the first knife making book I purchased and it is a good read. I still remember that line - and right about now is a good time to go inside as your wife is getting narrow around the eyes about now. 😄
"Maximum provision for my own stupidity" I feel this advice in my bones. Probably the best thing I've learned over the years from your excellent videos
1/ high polish is so easy with modern diamond abrasives. 2./ tapered tangs are the shizz on full tang knives. Check out something like bob kramer or Fujiwara Terurasu kitchen knives..
I used to have the vhs on Bob making this knife. He would sand blast the handle to prep it for gluing. I started making knives using his methods and they turned out ok but not exactly like his. You really made that look easy, especially the hollow grind and tapered tang! Thanks for the video. I enjoyed watching someone else do one. I think they turned out great!
tapered tangs are fun. Once they are done. I do them just because it seems like I have to. I also hollow grind the tang, again, because it seems like I have to. Bolsters or guards on most little knives (yep, obsessiveness, seems like I am supposed to). But, liquid flux is what he used, and then he would let the solder flow down past the far side of the guard. At least, that was what he did on the video he made with Jim about their techniques. He was a little dramatic in his explanations of everything, but he put a ton of info into those video. I still suggest the S.R. Johnson videos (2 dvds) for a really good documentation of this style of knife making. Thanks for doing this. It is an icon, and a trip down memory lane.
FYI, unfortunately the pattern for the knife is not available from Pop's Knife Supplies. It was given to Allen Surls of Pop's at the Loveless shop with the provision that he not sell it or share it directly.
I've been watching through some ur vids for about a year now and I enjoy them. Given that a Loveless knife starts around $7K what do you think makes an heirloom knife and where is the real cost going when making a knife (i.e. labor, materials, knife maker popularity, style of knife etc.) ? Also, what are some excellent steel choices if trying to make a 7"-8" OAL drop point hunter knife with a flat or hollow grind that can actually skin an elk, bear or deer?
Walter what’s the purpose of the tapered tang? What type of finish do you do if not mirror polished? I’m 72 yoa and just started looking into tinkering with making knives Thanks Randy Wallis
I tried soldering on a guard on my fifth or so knife (can't remember). It was kind of a mess, so I haven't done it since. Yours looks really nice, though. I didn't know about the scraping-off-with-a-piece-of-sharpened-brass technique. Good job, Walter. You have me wanting to make one now.
You are a great knifemaker. Normally in an industrial setting loaded abracive felt or cotton wheel- soft wheels whith contured surfaces with abracive glued to them - and large sanding flap wheels on a bench grinder that have been shaped to the contures tou desire for the handle slightly. I noticed in north america both loaded soft grinding wheels and the flap wheels are unknown in knife making and even very hard to buy the big flap wheels, many of witch will have large arbours to be used on muvh larger machibes than is used in a small workshop in the us. These flap wheels look like a grinding wheel but with strips of sandpaper raidiating from the central wheel. some are very big up to 60cm if needed and many thicknesses .. These can shape a handle and the netal fittibs in a very short time. Vs the belt gribders you use that take hours and cannot get into the contured areas or finger notches. If flap wheels are available you shoukd try them. It will make knifemaking much faster and easier. Another thing hobby knife makers do is spend alot of time on the belt grinding machibe. But a large 1-1.5 meter watercooled stone wheel will grind the bevels on a hardened blade in scondts, especially with a jig to force the blade, then the belt grinder can be used to finish the blade if needed. You can use a narrower wheel or a convex wheel for odd blade shapes too. For long blades the wheel is magic. The water wheels are still made in europe and japan, but you can make one from large surface grinder wheels.
If you drill a second hole 1 size larger than in your pinhole that is 1/16 to 1/8th inch deep on both sides, then peen it you create a rivet hole. which is nice as in something like the wood you are less likely to over-peen and split the wood (although it takes experience to get ant peening action right) and you have a stronger mechanical connection as you have made your pins into rivets. I have yet to try doing riveted guards so I can say anything about how it would look with them.
In the loveless video I mentioned in part one. Bob tells how he would try and talk customers out of using things like stag and wood for handle scales explaining that Micarta was literally the best knife handle material you could use. The irony is, if you can find a Loveless knife of any design with stag scales, It will sell for almost double the price of the same knife with micarta.
Have you ever heard of the loveless drop point hunter in I believe 11.5 in.? Maybe it's only 10ni. However it was sold for only a few days, maybe about 10 -to 20 from what I have heard. Then he withdraw the how thing ! and wanted all of them back.i can't remember what the deal was bit, I still have one. ( think it's worth anything? )
Walter, I talked to a big Loveless collector years ago, he said that the one thing that many don't get right are the hollow grinds. Loveless grinds were very deep Kind of kike how many get the Moran covex grond wrong by goign total slack belt grinding.
those are more art works than anything you'd dress a deer or whittle kindling with. very nice work! it takes me so damn long to forge grind heat treat make handle and sheath etc. that i would never try something that artistic. I did make a pretty forged brass guard for a bowie but after all that work it didn't fit quite right.
Why are Loveless blades so expensive if I wonder? I looked those things up online and those knives are like $5,000 or more. There is no way anyone can convince me that Bob Loveless blades are that much better than every other blade on the market that they demand such a price.
I had no idea that loveless knives are $3,000-$15,000 lord have mercy. I bet if he knew that’s what would happen soon his death, you would have mass produced truckloads and put them away for family to get rich, selling one at a time.
Hey Walter, not to be critical or rude. But seriously! With the time and meticulousness that you put into katana’s. The same is required with loveless knives and sorry to say mate. This is nowhere near it! It’s a rush job that doesn’t do the man justice. Try again.
He only did it because it’s pops project of the week…I’d be surprised if he didn’t spend 30+ hours on each knife the videos sure made it look easy didn’t they
What is the reason for tapering the tang?? Also it seems unnecessary to solder the bolster when it is pinned and epoxied. It will never come loose and I've made many of them.
I was really sad yesterday when that video ended and was told that it was going to be several days till part 2 came out.
What a great Saturday morning surprise
I’ve been making knives since February of this year based on your tutorials and I had an in town old timer knife maker tell me the other day “there is no way you have only been doing this for a few months” I’ve never been so proud to be called a liar. Thank you for all of the knowledge you share to new knife making hobbyist like me. It shows in our work.
Wow - congrats on earning such a great compliment. And thanks for yours - "It shows in our work" is pretty amazing to hear.
"How to make knives" was the first knife making book I purchased and it is a good read. I still remember that line - and right about now is a good time to go inside as your wife is getting narrow around the eyes about now. 😄
"Maximum provision for my own stupidity" I feel this advice in my bones. Probably the best thing I've learned over the years from your excellent videos
Thanks - I'll take a compliment like that any day - "advice in my bones"! Appreciate you watching.
"I try to make the maximum provision for my own stupidity" This is my new mantra, thank you, Sir.
Classic design that never gets old!
3 things I’ll never do:
1 high polish blades
2 tapered tangs
3 soldered brass guards.
But damn, you nailed it. 🤘 nice work dude.
1/ high polish is so easy with modern diamond abrasives.
2./ tapered tangs are the shizz on full tang knives. Check out something like bob kramer or Fujiwara Terurasu kitchen knives..
I'll bit Bob is smiling from above well done . Happy Trails
By far my most favorite design.
I used to have the vhs on Bob making this knife. He would sand blast the handle to prep it for gluing. I started making knives using his methods and they turned out ok but not exactly like his. You really made that look easy, especially the hollow grind and tapered tang! Thanks for the video. I enjoyed watching someone else do one. I think they turned out great!
I should try this one, thanks for the inspiration Walter Sorrells.
You should!
I have been waiting on you to make this for years! My most favorite knife to build! Thank you brother and thanks pops knife supply!!!!!
Damn Walter!! Great project. The cross cut micarta looks great!!
They’re both lovely.
Beautiful knife and would love to have a loveless hunter
Great job on an iconic knife
Great knife, Walter.
Really like that green.
Awesome Video! Thank you very much for sharing
Nice work, with lots of great tips!
That’s a good looking blade
That’s awesome! Lots of work, but impressive!❤
Wow that knife turned out great 👍🏻👍🏻
tapered tangs are fun. Once they are done. I do them just because it seems like I have to. I also hollow grind the tang, again, because it seems like I have to. Bolsters or guards on most little knives (yep, obsessiveness, seems like I am supposed to). But, liquid flux is what he used, and then he would let the solder flow down past the far side of the guard. At least, that was what he did on the video he made with Jim about their techniques. He was a little dramatic in his explanations of everything, but he put a ton of info into those video. I still suggest the S.R. Johnson videos (2 dvds) for a really good documentation of this style of knife making. Thanks for doing this. It is an icon, and a trip down memory lane.
Very sweet!!
Great work as always. 🤞🤞
Much appreciated!
I cant decide if I like the "Marlin eye" look or not. Over all both knives look great.
As always great work 👍
Thank you
I believe that Bob would be pleased and proud of how those two blades turned out great work I always enjoy your videos
High praise - thanks, man
Great looking knives!
FYI, unfortunately the pattern for the knife is not available from Pop's Knife Supplies. It was given to Allen Surls of Pop's at the Loveless shop with the provision that he not sell it or share it directly.
I've been watching through some ur vids for about a year now and I enjoy them. Given that a Loveless knife starts around $7K what do you think makes an heirloom knife and where is the real cost going when making a knife (i.e. labor, materials, knife maker popularity, style of knife etc.) ? Also, what are some excellent steel choices if trying to make a 7"-8" OAL drop point hunter knife with a flat or hollow grind that can actually skin an elk, bear or deer?
Walter what’s the purpose of the tapered tang?
What type of finish do you do if not mirror polished?
I’m 72 yoa and just started looking into tinkering with making knives
Thanks
Randy Wallis
As a lifelong loveless fan, well done, Bob would approve. Thanks
I tried soldering on a guard on my fifth or so knife (can't remember). It was kind of a mess, so I haven't done it since. Yours looks really nice, though. I didn't know about the scraping-off-with-a-piece-of-sharpened-brass technique. Good job, Walter. You have me wanting to make one now.
You are a great knifemaker.
Normally in an industrial setting loaded abracive felt or cotton wheel- soft wheels whith contured surfaces with abracive glued to them - and large sanding flap wheels on a bench grinder that have been shaped to the contures tou desire for the handle slightly.
I noticed in north america both loaded soft grinding wheels and the flap wheels are unknown in knife making and even very hard to buy the big flap wheels, many of witch will have large arbours to be used on muvh larger machibes than is used in a small workshop in the us.
These flap wheels look like a grinding wheel but with strips of sandpaper raidiating from the central wheel. some are very big up to 60cm if needed and many thicknesses .. These can shape a handle and the netal fittibs in a very short time. Vs the belt gribders you use that take hours and cannot get into the contured areas or finger notches.
If flap wheels are available you shoukd try them. It will make knifemaking much faster and easier.
Another thing hobby knife makers do is spend alot of time on the belt grinding machibe. But a large 1-1.5 meter watercooled stone wheel will grind the bevels on a hardened blade in scondts, especially with a jig to force the blade, then the belt grinder can be used to finish the blade if needed. You can use a narrower wheel or a convex wheel for odd blade shapes too. For long blades the wheel is magic.
The water wheels are still made in europe and japan, but you can make one from large surface grinder wheels.
Wish this video was around when I made my first knife! I tried using jeweller's silver solder to attach the guard and it was a disaster.
Awesome!
Narrow around the eyes is right!
What size contact wheel do you recommend for hollow grinds?
If you drill a second hole 1 size larger than in your pinhole that is 1/16 to 1/8th inch deep on both sides, then peen it you create a rivet hole. which is nice as in something like the wood you are less likely to over-peen and split the wood (although it takes experience to get ant peening action right) and you have a stronger mechanical connection as you have made your pins into rivets. I have yet to try doing riveted guards so I can say anything about how it would look with them.
In the loveless video I mentioned in part one. Bob tells how he would try and talk customers out of using things like stag and wood for handle scales explaining that Micarta was literally the best knife handle material you could use. The irony is, if you can find a Loveless knife of any design with stag scales, It will sell for almost double the price of the same knife with micarta.
Please set up some kind of guard for your buffing wheel, I would hate for a knife to go spinning into your chest.
Have you ever heard of the loveless drop point hunter in I believe 11.5 in.? Maybe it's only 10ni. However it was sold for only a few days, maybe about 10 -to 20 from what I have heard. Then he withdraw the how thing ! and wanted all of them back.i can't remember what the deal was bit, I still have one. ( think it's worth anything? )
Maybe I missed it in part 1, but what is the point to a tapered tang? Is it just a 'hey, that looks cool' sort of thing?
Yes, but it also helps balance the blade.
Walter, I talked to a big Loveless collector years ago, he said that the one thing that many don't get right are the hollow grinds. Loveless grinds were very deep Kind of kike how many get the Moran covex grond wrong by goign total slack belt grinding.
Could you share the pattern? Amazing work!
Red or pink?
Are Loveless not available anymore?
those are more art works than anything you'd dress a deer or whittle kindling with. very nice work! it takes me so damn long to forge grind heat treat make handle and sheath etc. that i would never try something that artistic. I did make a pretty forged brass guard for a bowie but after all that work it didn't fit quite right.
Let’s be honest we all love the cheesy electric music…beautiful knife Loveless would be happy, anyone know what the knife ended up bringing?
How much to make a knife like that for me?
👍
Why are Loveless blades so expensive if I wonder? I looked those things up online and those knives are like $5,000 or more. There is no way anyone can convince me that Bob Loveless blades are that much better than every other blade on the market that they demand such a price.
It should have been better if there's a proper sharpening choil, otherwise it will leave a smile. Anyway love your work
Red handle spacers, like lipstick on a pretty woman
I had no idea that loveless knives are $3,000-$15,000 lord have mercy. I bet if he knew that’s what would happen soon his death, you would have mass produced truckloads and put them away for family to get rich, selling one at a time.
Hey Walter, not to be critical or rude. But seriously! With the time and meticulousness that you put into katana’s. The same is required with loveless knives and sorry to say mate. This is nowhere near it! It’s a rush job that doesn’t do the man justice. Try again.
He only did it because it’s pops project of the week…I’d be surprised if he didn’t spend 30+ hours on each knife the videos sure made it look easy didn’t they
I wish I had a knife like that...
What is the reason for tapering the tang?? Also it seems unnecessary to solder the bolster when it is pinned and epoxied. It will never come loose and I've made many of them.