Back in the shop, designing new things
These knives are made from 5/32″ thick O1 tool steel and have an 8.5″ OAL with a weight of about 5 oz. I have heat treated them to 61-62 HRC.
For the handle scales I used G10 and Micarta. Torx screws and stainless steel connectors are used to secure the scales to the tang. The blades are finished with a 120 grit aluminum oxide blast and then coated with matte gray 2400 series GunKote.
O1 throat slicer
The extremely sharp knife is made from 3/16″ thick O1 tool steel and has a hollow chisel grind plus an aggressive end. The steel has been finished with 2400 series GunKote and handle wrapped in black 550 cord. Roughly 13″ OAL. Sheath is made from Kydex.
My ultimate SHTF rifle: the AR-15A4
The A2 stock is too long for my 7-year-old but I am still familiarizing him with basic weapon operation.
For the optic I went with the current issue U.S. Army M68 CCO or Aimpoint CompM4S. I like these optics because they are bombproof and powered by a single AA battery.
Being a taller guy at 6’3″ the A4 feels really good to me. The longer gas system makes for a low recoil impulse and extremely soft-shooting weapon.
Simple Kydex and quench plate presses
I scored a vintage woodworker’s vise on eBay for an amazing deal and converted it into a small Kydex press for smaller blades. It works extremely well for quickly applying even pressure over the work piece.
Pictured above is a vintage US made Dunlap vise (also purchased NOS on eBay for cheap) and 1″ thick aluminum plates that I drilled and tapped for 1/4-20 bolts.
I mounted it a few inches away from my quench tank for rapid transfer. This is one of the more useful shop tools I have; it ensures every blade is perfectly straight out of the quench.
Hefty 1084 chopper
I made this hefty camp/chopping/what-have-you knife from Aldo’s 1084 steel. It’s 3/16″ thick and has a full flat grind, black paper Micarta scales, red G10 spacers, and stainless pins that are all held together with West System G/Flex. I added additional small pins for added scale strength.
Dedicated 2×72 small wheel grinder (Knifedogs grinder frame)
Short test run video of “U-Weld” 2×72 kit sold by USAKnifemaker. I needed a budget friendly horizontal machine for dedicated small wheel work and this seemed to fit the bill. Tool rest and drive wheel are made by KMG. Motor is a Baldor 3PH VEM3546 controlled by a KB Electronics variable speed drive. For the price I am content with the setup. Grinds are square and tracking is surprisingly good.
Note: it’s not permanently bolted down yet and I need to work on cable management as well as making a mounting bracket for the VFD.
Pictured above: Using machinist blocks to square up my workrest in relation to the small wheel (and the other grinder). Since I’m going from one grinder to another, it’s important the work rests are square (otherwise my choils and finger grooves will look crooked).
![Wired up motor for new dedicated 2×72 [video], Beaumont Metal Works stuff, and ancient Coote grinder still going strong](https://www.berserkrblades.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/429974255_316213698131336_8731671547853969617_n_316213708131335.jpg)
Wired up motor for new dedicated 2×72 [video], Beaumont Metal Works stuff, and ancient Coote grinder still going strong
The new belt grinder chassis should be here tomorrow, giving me a total of three 2×72 grinders. I’m setting this one up as a dedicated small wheel (horizontal) machine, which means I don’t have to switch tool arms as frequently. The horizontal capability also makes contouring finger grooves and choils a lot easier. I got the VFD/motor wired up and everything is ready to go.
Pictured above: I finally got time to setup the Beaumont Metal Works articulating tool rest. It seems like a high quality piece of equipment. The tool-less handles make adjustment super easy. Instead of constantly having to re-adjust my DD tool rest, I got one of these Beaumont setups for dedicated small wheel work. My only con is that it’s not as wide as the DD tool rest.
In addition to the Beaumont tool rest I ordered their disc sanding attachment and mounted it to a spare motor. Although I haven’t quite figured out where it’s going to be permanently placed in my shop. A disc sander is not a tool I use often but it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Finally, my 2×72 Coote is still going strong after fourteen years of hard use. I recently made a new work rest for the 10″ contact wheel (see above).
O1 fighter in chisel grind
The chisel ground O1 blade has been coated with matte gray 2400 series GunKote and is marked “BERSERKR” on plunge side and “USA” on reverse.
The scale material is basically textured G10 which comes in 12″x12″ sheets and is intended for folders. I got the idea of using folder scale material on fixed blades from my Eickhorn of Solingen, Germany S.E.K. (or “Sondereinsatz Kommando”) dagger (see below), which uses a similar material.
Needle filing
Working on thumb traction grooves. Probably not my favorite part of the process.
1095 shank with 550 cord wrap
A very simple combat knife made from 1095 high carbon steel and wrapped with 550 cord. The hollow ground blade is 5/32″ thick and finished with matte black 2400 series GunKote. The pommel has been ground to an aggressive end.
A little landscaping
Some random fun today with Swiss made awesomeness. He gets to play with way cooler toys than I had at his age.
Small O1 knife with antler and Micarta scales
Trying something different. A very simple O1 knife made to customer’s specs. Deer antler scales with black paper Micarta and G10 spacers, stainless pins and 1/4″ tubing. Marked “Berserkr” and “USA” on reverse side.
1095 combat knife
A very simple, extremely sharp 1/8″ thick hollow ground combat knife with canvas Micarta scales and GunKote finish. The scales are fastened with flared stainless tubing.
Snow days
The wife enjoying that Jackson County snow and her Romanian AKM.
O1 gut stabber
Small O1 tanto with 550 cord wrap in Strider weave.