All About Pocket Knives

Hi guys,
Here I am again picking your brains regarding the WHITTINGSLOWE No.41.
I hunted through the shed and found a pocket blade blanks. It's just a flat profile and parallel througout its length.

The new blank measured at the tang is a mite too thick in comparison to the original which is not worn at all.

New blank 0.4150 measured at the tang
Original 0.1165 measured at the tang
Needs 0.2985 Thats 0.30 thou

The side play is non existent, while the snap is very strong. It’s bloody difficult to open.Its is made from some great steel and consequently took a razor edge.You will have seen the edges where they can slice the corners off printer paper. Thats what this blade does.

It’s a darn shame as it only took minimal sharpening and a strop to bring up the original blade to scary sharp.
The plan is to take the blank and using a strong magnet flat it against the 2” belt sander until I get it to the original thickness.

Does this sound possible? If that works I do not see problems in shaping it.

I was gifted a electric furnace from a gunsmith friend who used it to heat treat trigger sears and such. Not knowing what steel grade the blank is I am giving the 1095 heat treat specs a go first. If that fails I have a length of 3mm 1095.

I have made full blades before out of spring steel but never made pocket knife blades.I made two Kukris for my son and his mate for camping with and

First time for everything, I guess.

Your comments are welcomed

Ozwelder

I have not done it myself, but I have seen Youtube videos of guys using an Electronagnet and thinning stock exactly like you described. That should work perfectly.

Seems like it should work, that’s how surface grinders hold the material on the table when in use. I’ve had to thin some gasket material and I glued it to a wood block and let it cure then held the block to put it on the belt sander.

It will work as long as you don't do it on a steel platen.
If the platen is steel, the work will stick to it.

Hi Bill,
I have partial sheet of black deflin that might work.

Thanks for the tip.

Oz