We all have our vices

Ringmaster · Post by **Ringmaster** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:59 pm

I'm sure most of you guys already have your workbench set up the way you want it, but there might be someone out there, who's struggling to hold an odd-shaped knife blade or handle, while working on it.

What I did was drill 1/4" holes in the tops of the jaws, angled slightly toward the jaw opening. Drill maybe 3/8 - 1/2" deep, whatever feels comfortable. Then, cut some 1/4" brass rod 'about' 1 1/2" long, and drop in the holes. Don't have to braze them or anything - you might want to remove them, occasionally.

This way the work is held on top of the jaws, not in them. If you should need to hold something in the jaws - just pull 'em out.

I've seen some pretty expensive contraptions on the market, specifically made to hold knives - and they probably work well. This one cost me about 15 minutes and 45 cents.

Take Care,
JR

CCBill · Post by **CCBill** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:37 pm

Great idea Ringmaster. That could be handy for a lot of jobs

...CCBill...

useem · Post by **useem** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:07 pm

COOL

Thanks for the tip

muskrat man · Post by **muskrat man** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:18 pm

that is a good idea.

By reading a couple of your posts it seems that you are a knife worker of sorts? What type of work do you do? If you don't mind my asking. I just got a pana vice made for knifemaking like the ones sold in Jantz for $2 at a yardsale last weekend. I also have a nice angle vice, just need to find some places to mount them

Ringmaster · Post by **Ringmaster** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:22 am

Thanks for the "thumbs up", guys. I didn't invent the trick, but seems that not a lotta makers use that setup, so you very seldom see it. It darn sure works, tho'.

Muskrat, I've been "piddling" with knives, for about 50 years now. Mostly tradin', but I've made, repaired, customized a few. I've done a little bit of all of it, except heat-treating, on a professional level. I was forced to get away from the hobby, back in the early 90's, because of my "day job" - but I'm s-l-o-w-l-y building a shop again, now that I'm retired. I hope to be grinding again, by about Oct. 1st - but progress is slow, because of physical limitations. Initially, I'll make hunters and kitchen knives. Soon after that, I hope to concentrate on folders. That's my least expert skill, and I'd like to make a few really nice ones, before I hang up my apron.

It's doubtful that anyone here has seen my work, but when I was making, my knives were marked "Hunter Brand" over "Arkansas". I probably made about a hundred, total. Realistically, they were barely average quality customs - but I did manage to sell 'em all, except one.

How about you, MM ? Whadda you like the most - or the least ? PM me, if you'd like, and we can talk knives !

Thanks again, fellers - Oh, Bob Engnath is the one that showed me the trick with the vise. (I'm bettin' he didn't invent it, either !)

Take Care,
JR

muskrat man · Post by **muskrat man** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:33 pm

JR,
I have done most of it so far and I think my favorite is making customs from scratch, depending on the day it's either slipjoints or fixed blades. I really like to make friction folders from scratch. I get the most of my work from embellishment to factory folding knives, rehandling, filework, ect. I do quite bit of repair, but usually the ones I repair end up getting new handles or something along those lines. I just started about 2 years ago, but have loved every minute of it. I like to do filework alot, especially on extensive fileworking projects where you have extra room, like the Case XX Hobos. In Fact I have 2 of those out in the shop that need fileworking and new handles. I dislike shield inlaying the most. By next month if all goes as planned I will have my forge and anvil and my father will start coaching my on how to swing a hammer. I'm also thinking of picking up a larger 2x72" belt sander, since my cheaper 2x42" is about shot. I figure if I plan to do this for a living and keep getting buisness as steady as I have I need to upgrade my equipment.
Well, I had probably grab some breakfast and get out to the shop. Going on a 2 day fishing trip starting tommorow night so I need to try getting what I can done before I leave.
Take it Easy

wildcat · Post by **wildcat** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 8:46 pm

neat idea ringmaster. thanks for the tip.

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:07 pm

Great tip JR, thanks!

Dale