Posts Tagged ‘Knives’
Whetstones – Oil/Water
“Whetstone” is any stone used for sharpening knives. It may be natural or artificial. Artificial stones are usually in a form of silicon carbide or aluminum oxide. Bonded abrasives are harsher and provide the user with quicker (although courser) edge than most natural stones. They are available as double-sided blocks with a coarse grit on one side and a fine grit on the other or triple sided with three grits from course to fine.
Whetstones do not require lubrication with oil or water although it is common that oil or water is used. Lubrication provides some assistance in the cutting action of the stone however its primary importance is to carry away the filings (swarf).
Finer grades of sharpening stones, especially Natural stones, are used with oil (water can also be used). Natural stones are mined around the world and are usually some form of crystallized quartz (chert).
The Japanese were early developers of water stones, stones lubricated with water. They probably discovered a natural deposit of clay and silica hundreds of years ago. The most famous Japanese Wet Stones are mined in an area north of Kyoto Japan. Today they are also manufactured stones of silicate particles embedded in a matrix made of clay and other minerals. The use of water exposes the abrasive for sharpening. They do wear out faster than other types of stone.
THE BOWIE KNIFE
There is much legend and controversy concerning the “Bowie Knife”.
According to many sources, James Black, an Arkansas knife maker, made a knife for Jim Bowie. This knife came to be known as the first “Bowie Knife”. At the time of Jim Bowie’s Alamo death in 1836, the term “Bowie knife” had become the common name for similar knives popular at the time.
Due the 1827 “Sandbar Duel” in Mississippi, Jim Bowie was well known for his ability in a knife fight. Bowie used a knife supposedly given to him by his brother during the “Sandbar Duel.”
Legend says, after receiving the “Bowie Knife” from Black, Bowie was accosted by three hired assassins. Bowie killed all three men with his new knife. This tale led to James Black becoming famous for having fabricated the “Bowie Knife.”
The Historic Arkansas Museum acquired Bowie No. 1 several years ago through an auction of the collections of two prominent Texas knife collectors. Bowie No.1 is a knife well known in collecting circles as an important early bowie knife. Although James Black did not put a maker’s mark on his knives, curatorial analysis has determined that Bowie No. 1 was made by James Black.
Modern day “Bowie Knives” have changed a bit from the early guard less “Coffin Handle” knives made by James Black and other knife makers of the 1800’s.
Most “Bowie” knives manufactured by Boker , Buck and others are more rigid and of course made with modern steel formulae and techniques. Black was said to have discovered a secret technique in his knife making that produced a durable but flexible blade
Arkansas Custom Knife Show
Saturday and Sunday, February 20th & 21st, knife makers from all over the United States will converge at the Robinson Center in Little Rock, AR.
Men and women with a passion for creating custom crafted knives will display their wares. These men and women will be showing some of the most beautiful, stylish and versatile hand made knives that have been formed and hammered into works of art that will last for generations.
Collectors and enthusiasts will be crowding the isles to marvel at the love and care that have gone into producing one of kind knives. You will see hunting, fishing, Bowie and pocket knives that can not be seen in retail stores.
These knives are a cut above mass produced factory knives like Buck, Case, Queen or any other knife offered for sale.
The Era of Pocket Knives
Knives have always fascinated me. My earliest memories are of hot Arizona days watching my grandfather, sitting in the shade of a Chinaberry tree, whittling and listening to a baseball game on the radio. He wasn’t trying to carve intricate artwork, “just making toothpicks out of logs.” He always kept a whetstone close by to keep his pocket knife sharp as a razor.
I’m from the generation when almost every young man and adult carried a pocket knife.
You never knew when it might be needed to pick a splinter from your hand or cut the string and tape on that special package received from a distant Aunt/Uncle. A boyhood friend might drop by and challenge you to a game of Mumblety-Peg. This oft times evolved into a game of chicken, if there were no adults around.
We carried them to school, we carried them to church, and it wasn’t unusual to see the men standing around after church services talking with their pocket knives out, cleaning their fingernails or making “toothpicks.” It was interesting to see the variety of pocket knives being carried. Often there would be discussions each had concerning their preference for a Buck Trapper, or a Case Stockman… It seemed no two men carried the same knife. There were tiny single blade pen knives, even tinier watch fob knives, and knives up to four inch (closed), four blade knives.
These days you will not see many people carrying pocket knives. I still carry a pocket knife (unless flying). My favorite is a mini trapper by Case.
Which Switchblade
Assisted Opening Knife
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) wants a NEW definition of a switchblade to include one hand opening knives. They tried to re-write the law (Switchblade Knife Act of 1958) but were forced to re-think their position after much protest form the public.
The House Dems have pushed through a bill and now the Senate is taking up the controversy.
It isn’t too late to write your Senator and protest the inclusion of one hand opening knives and assisted opening folding knives.
If they get their way, millions of Americans will be criminals. Your favorite Buck knife, Case knife, SOG knife and even your box cutter will be outlawed.
Write your Senator TODAY!