Drawknife

Attachment 39884
This is the first time I have forged any tool from an old file, so I approached hardening with some trepidation. Because it could break or distort. Using a process described in “Practical Blacksmithing” (ed MT Richardson, pub. 1891), I used linseed oil, which gave it a very attractive shiny black, but of course, to temper it, I had to grind it back a bit and polish it somewhat. Then I laid it on a red hot steel bar I had bent to the curve along the back to draw it to, mostly brown, with touches of purple, before sharpening. It is not especially attractive, or refined, but I do not mind so long as it retains an edge and does not break. That it is so obviously homemade shows some accomplishment, I think. The blade is 8” long & 7/8” wide. Attachment 39885
The handles are salvaged from the bottom of a chest of drawers. I like this style, and is fitted to short tangs.

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Originally Posted by Philip Davies

Attachment 39884
This is the first time I have forged any tool from an old file, so I approached hardening with some trepidation. Because it could break or distort. Using a process described in “Practical Blacksmithing” (ed MT Richardson, pub. 1891), I used linseed oil, which gave it a very attractive shiny black, but of course, to temper it, I had to grind it back a bit and polish it somewhat. Then I laid it on a red hot steel bar I had bent to the curve along the back to draw it to, mostly brown, with touches of purple, before sharpening. It is not especially attractive, or refined, but I do not mind so long as it retains an edge and does not break. That it is so obviously homemade shows some accomplishment, I think. The blade is 8” long & 7/8” wide. Attachment 39885
The handles are salvaged from the bottom of a chest of drawers. I like this style, and is fitted to short tangs.

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I have been doing a bit of blacksmithing here and there for over 56 years. I've never attempted anything quite so complex, nor had quite so nice a result. I think you did quite well! I look forward to your next blacksmithing project!

Bill

Thank you kindly, Bill.

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Originally Posted by Philip Davies

Thank you kindly, Bill.

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I'm simply recognizing a craftsman. No thanks necessary! ;) You do nice work, sir. And showing something like this might encourage someone (like me!) to branch out a bit from hooks and trivets and such to something truly useful. The ability to make specialized tools is the real difference between humans and animals.

Bill

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Originally Posted by WmRMeyers

The ability to make specialized tools is the real difference between humans and animals.
Bill

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For the most part true. Yet primates and others have been proven to select materials directly for use as implements; further on, certain animal societies learn and teach improvements beyond raw material.
Both of those; the very core of toolmaking.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Toolmaker51

For the most part true. Yet primates and others have been proven to select materials directly for use as implements; further on, certain animal societies learn and teach improvements beyond raw material.
Both of those; the very core of toolmaking.

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Primates, elephants, and certain birds, among those known to me do select and use objects to make simple tools. I'm not sure if they adjust the length of the object to better suit their purpose, but we certainly do a considerable amount of modification. All you have to do is look at a Saturn V rocket to see some of the lengths we'll go to, to improve our tools. I wonder what birds & elephants could do with opposable thumbs.

Animals will use objects as defensive and offensive weapons as well so man is not even alone in that respect.
Elephants have been known to up root small trees to use for warding off an attacking pride of lions

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Originally Posted by Frank S

Animals will use objects as defensive and offensive weapons as well so man is not even alone in that respect.
Elephants have been known to up root small trees to use for warding off an attacking pride of lions

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But do they modify the objects to make them work better, or do they just use what they can find. And do they find one they like, and carry it with them when they move from place to place? I cannot guarantee that they do not for either of those questions, but I've not seen evidence of it. We most certainly do.

Crows are some of the most clever birds. Here are some others...

https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/ne...rld-use-tools/

and a crow assembling a tool and using it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n90miNhZwfM

Cool! I've learned something new today! :) One of my questions is answered, anyway. Now to find the answer to one more...

Thanks Marv!

Bill

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WmRMeyers

Cool! I've learned something new today! :) One of my questions is answered, anyway. Now to find the answer to one more...

Thanks Marv!

Bill

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They're smart enough to be able to sequence operations needed to achieve a goal...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gui3IswQ0DI

something most teenagers have trouble with today.

They understand some physics as well. I couldn't find a video of it but I know I've seen videos of them dropping stones into a container of water to raise the water level to the point where they could reach a floating tidbit.

I'm sure a post like that is right here in HMT.net; a bird in a plexi box trips a latch thru a hole with a twig.

To augment this discussion, a certain distinction I'll point out. 'We' create tools to accomplish what we'd LIKE to do, for varied motivations. Anything from howitzers, envelope stuffing machines, keys and locks, marital aids, weather balloons, a rudder; an endless list.

Creatures utilize/ alter things to accomplish what they NEED to do.
Only real difference is level of sophistication; part is passed down, part is on the spot creativity.

And Mr. K's illustration of birds dropping stones into a container to float something within reach, I'd say connects to the old fable of Aesop's “The Crow and the Pitcher”, he must have observed something alike.

<!-- BEGIN /var/www/html/homemadetools/protected/modules/zeus/views/tool/postUpdate.php -->
Thanks Philip Davies! We've added your Drawknife to our Knife Making category,
as well as to your builder page: Philip Davies's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-drawknife-9"> <img src="/uploads/249534/homemade-drawknife-9.jpeg"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-drawknife-9">Drawknife</a> <span> by <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/builder/Philip+Davies">Philip Davies</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/wood'>wood</a>, <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/knife'>knife</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
<!-- END /var/www/html/homemadetools/protected/modules/zeus/views/tool/postUpdate.php -->

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Philip Davies

Attachment 39884
This is the first time I have forged any tool from an old file, so I approached hardening with some trepidation. Because it could break or distort. Using a process described in “Practical Blacksmithing” (ed MT Richardson, pub. 1891), I used linseed oil, which gave it a very attractive shiny black, but of course, to temper it, I had to grind it back a bit and polish it somewhat. Then I laid it on a red hot steel bar I had bent to the curve along the back to draw it to, mostly brown, with touches of purple, before sharpening. It is not especially attractive, or refined, but I do not mind so long as it retains an edge and does not break. That it is so obviously homemade shows some accomplishment, I think. The blade is 8” long & 7/8” wide. Attachment 39885
The handles are salvaged from the bottom of a chest of drawers. I like this style, and is fitted to short tangs.

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:clapping::hattip: