I kept a paring knife in my tool bin. Use it at least once every month to cut or score something. Flimsy thing from Kmart or maybe even Walmart (nah, it has made in USA on it, so not Walmart). Stamped sheet metal blade. Bends if you push too hard. Had another one just like it once, but it snapped 30 years ago. So anyhow I had cut out a T shaped column backing in 1/4" hot rolled steel plate for my SX2 and I was looking at the left-overs and an idea bulb went off. Why not make a real shop knife of about the same size to replace the paring knife?
I was bored today, So, I did. I used the bandsaw to rough out the blade shape, then the grinding wheel to put the desired bevel on it.
Some purists may not like my laziness when it comes to how I clamped the blade down when milling my choil, but quick and dirty, and it worked just fine. Much faster than fiddling around with inch blocks and clamps and more T bolts IMO.
This is my first shop knife in about 50 years. I made one long, long ago in dad's workshop at home when I was a kid. It got confiscated by a teacher at public school in NYC when I was showing it off. He kept it and was seen occasionally using it years later. In today's world I would sue the bum to get it back, once I got out of jail where they would put me till I was 30 as punishment for bringing such a dastardly device to school, even though I was only 9 or 10.
The Setup
Close up of the pre cut setup
Cutting (Should my swarf be so small?)
Thing to keep an eye out for! A mill table capable 3" or 4" vise with a low profile that holds work sideways like I am doing with the Shars vise. LoL, maybe if I send this picture to Shars they will steal the idea and market one?
The finished knife before hardening or sharpening
Flame hardened to bright orange then cold water quenched (two of these small torches used as only one doesn't throw enough heat for something this big). Ready for me to oven temper it at 450, then put a razor edge on it.
I haven't decided if I should put a handle or a lanyard on it (maybe both?). I haven't even decided yet if a shop knife that will spend it's life in a tool bin needs a handle. One thing I am sure of, while it is possible to snap off the tip, I would really be surprised if regular shop use snaps this blade with a 1/4" spine in two.