Back over 40 years ago it was commonplace for young hillbillys' to want knives, guns and bows/arrows. We didn't have the money to buy'm so the next best thing was to build what we wanted. The most desired I guess was guns. They were very difficult to find the necessary things to build'm out of although we did manage to build some "zip" guns. Using small pipe [1/4" od] would make a decent little cannon type gun. They took too much blackpowder to fire'm very much. 1/8" pipe was much better. We didn't use any bullets/balls but rather BB's with a paper wad to hold them in--that is if we wanted to shoot a target. Usually we just used a paper wad.

Knives were really our speciality, easily obtained material and fairly easy to build. No blackpowder required to use'm. We'd go to our grandpa's house and use his stuff. He owned a salvage yard and had a shop with all kinds of blacksmith tools etc. We've used leaf springs from a truck to build knives and they were real good to use too. The BEST material to use was the file [flat bastard] that were fairly easily found in all his junk. With a hand operated grinder geared up about 10 to 1 the task didn't take too long. Usually I was the one turn'n the crank on the hand grinder while ole jeep done the file holdin and shapin. The file was real hard tempered steel and once completed and sharpened would hold an "edge" forever it seemed. Handles were east to build too. A small block of walnut was the most desireable to use as it was a hard yet good lookin wood to use for this job. About a 2x2 and about 5 inches long which we would split longways. When it came to drillin the holes through the steel we would ususally have Bert, the blacksmith who lived at Grandpas house, to punch'm through the white hot steel. He'd retemper the steel after this hole punchin oredeal. Fit the handle slabs on each side of the knife, mark the holes on the wood handle, drill those and then insert the rivets to secure that handle to the knife. By workin down the handle to the proper shape and then sandin it to a smooth finish, oil the wood unless a varnish finish was wanted, the job was completed.

We could throw those raskels as hard as we wanted without worryin about breakin that wood or the steel blade. You might wonder if these knives were so good why would we keep buildin'm. The reason was---we would trade'm off to other kids who didn't know how to build'm or didn't want to. We also was always losin them it seemed too.

I haven't built a knife in years but am sure I haven't forgotten how. It would also be much easier now what with all the modern power tools that we have available.

"Ain't no air conditioners in hell--couldn't afford the electric bill anyhow". "Ain't no air conditioners in heaven ether--cool breezes from the river of life". Jesus is coming soon, are you ready? Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), May 11, 2001

Answers

where do you get rivets that size and type ?

i have in mind making a large knife or machete, but can't figure out how to fasten the handle to the blade.

thanks

gene

-- gene ward (gward34847@aol.com), May 11, 2001.

Gene! We used copper rivets that were used to fasten leather with. Cheap and easily obtained. Work'm down with a small file and they were as smoothe as could be. Matt.24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), May 11, 2001.

Only knife I ever made was from a hacksaw blade. Came out pretty good too, still have it and occasionally use it. Of course it's a thin blade thus limiting what it can be used for. Started one from a bastard file but never did get it finished. That tool steel is mighty hard stuff. One day I may resume the work on it. As for being ready, yes I am.

-- Bob Johnson (Backwoods_Bob@excite.com), May 12, 2001.

where, today, can i buy these rivets ????????????????????????????????????????????????

-- gene (gward34847@aol.com), May 12, 2001.

Gene! A good hardware store or farm store should have these copper rivets. We also used regular nails at times, if we were out of the copper rivets. After sliding the nail through the holes-nip the nail with just a little bit sticking through and then peck it until it's brad'd.

Luke 6:31

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), May 13, 2001.

Gene, rivets,copper burrs and some exellent books can be obtained from Centaur Forge (262)763-9175 and Jantz Supply (800)351-8900. depending on your location,you might find rivets and copper burrs at your local hardware store.

-- william emerson (hawken@visuallink.com), May 19, 2001.