Another Scout from Canadian Mike

[Fletching]

Impressed with what I've seen over at STKR so far, I've asked Mike to make me a Scout too. Mike suggested I post pics of it in progress - so you can all order one too. ;)

The handle's to be curly maple with cinnamon tint dye (which I'll oil with boiled linseed/turps mix to try and get the same finish as my GB Forest Axe - now 76 coats!).

Here's the progress so far:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6566026263_84ca490854_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57496601@N08/6566026263/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6566025403_48834f64b6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57496601@N08/6566025403/)

Steve :)

[Ben Casey]

Looks cool mate :)

[wescobts]

Looks to be another fun project.

[CanadianMike]

Ya, for me. Lol, mosaic pins in progress, four 7/32" brass tubes , eight brass rods, twenty four steel safety pin parts..............

And a partridge in a pear tree!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

[Fletching]

...and a Happy Saturnalia from me!

:)

Steve

[CanadianMike]

Making me think now....... :ashamed:

[Fletching]

More update pics from Mike:

Mosaic pins

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6580289059_94aa0640ee_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57496601@N08/6580289059/)

Curly maple handle sides

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6580289931_5d4f4a9b88_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57496601@N08/6580289931/)

Handle going on

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6580290681_d65eac1552_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57496601@N08/6580290681/)

:)

Steve

[Adam Savage]

Looking great so far. Should look and feel amazing, with the London stock finish on it :D

[CanadianMike]

I'm going to have to seal with with something once the dye is on, looking at polymerized tung oil and it's sealer, should still be fine to put layers of linseed oil on later.

[markal17]

looking good mate nice blade

[CanadianMike]

Thanks, can't wait to see the curly maple, bought it about a month ago and haven't used it yet.

[Fletching]

More update pics from Mike...

Wood stain testing:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6592493335_b419eed5ce_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57496601@N08/6592493335/)

Mosaic pins:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6592494231_dbaef4e1e7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57496601@N08/6592494231/)

...looking good. :)

Steve

[CanadianMike]

So you are happy with the stain on that wood? The sample wasn't prepped the same as the handle, and I'm worried it'll get splotchy, considering a light dye/water mix first to get colour in there while still looking like wood.

I've been fighting a nasty cold all week and haven't been able to put the time into the garage working on much since Monday. Do have it sanded to shape though, just needs a bit more thinning of the grip for those of you with lady hands.

[Fletching]

Oi! Back to work you wimp!

That's an order from one with Senior Management Hands.

;)

[CanadianMike]

Hehe, will get some done today, polishing the pins and lots of hand sanding. Will fling a new pic later too, and maybe try out the dye. Fingers crossed!

BTW, you want the handle the same brown colour (raw dye) as above, or want it lighter from dilution?

[Adam Savage]

Liking the tiger stripe stain. Thinking of giving that a go myself some time. Will be watching to see how it pans out :)

[CanadianMike]

Is the reflective/holographic end grains in the grain that soaks up the dye most, and the side grains are lighter coloured. I want it to remain holographic after staining and finishing, without looking too....... dark and dull I guess. Is why I want to take a sample of the wood, finish sand it with fine paper (like the handle), and try a half dye/half water wipe, see how it turns out and if Steve likes it.

[Adam Savage]

Cool. Will be looking forward to seeing the progress.

[Fletching]

...you want the handle the same brown colour (raw dye) as above, or want it lighter from dilution?

A bit lighter please old chap. :)

[CanadianMike]

Sent you more pics, will post here with a description. I take it the first on the left would be your preference?

Soaked with water to raise the grain, dried and sanded up to 220 grit.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/404290_210102669074270_117036668380871_444237_1186 356316_n.jpg

And now the fun part. From left, one teaspoon of dye mxed with about 1/4 cup of water. Middle, I added another teaspoon. Right is just dipped in the can of dye. All samples sanded to 220x and redyed. The dye doesn't soak in as much when sanded fine. And all have had a first wipe of polymerized tung oil sealer, will get a couple more then onto the high luster stuff. Still think linseed oil can be applied on top without issues.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/396745_210102859074251_117036668380871_444238_3879 34102_n.jpg

[Fletching]

More updates from Mike. getting there now, can't wait to test it out. :)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6645300227_2d5593d8c4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57496601@N08/6645300227/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6645299461_bf5f1aef2c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57496601@N08/6645299461/)

Steve

[Adam Savage]

oooooooow fancy. Looking great.

[treefrog]

Another beauty, well done. That curly maple makes a nice handle.

[CanadianMike]

Thanks guys, it's turned out quite well, am pretty much done, just need to sharpen it (although from the blade polishing it's developed quite the paper slicing edge), and wax the blade. Started the sheath last night, cut out and belt loop sewn, dye (buckskin) and hopefully finishing tonight/tomorrow after wet molding it.

[Adam Savage]

Cool. Gunna have to get me an STKR scout knife one day lol

[CanadianMike]

Sounds like a trade may be in order...... ;)

[Adam Savage]

I'm not sure my blades are up to standard, so maybe two of mine for a scout lol.

[CanadianMike]

Lol

[Adam Savage]

Will have to sort something, when I get chance to move on to the next stock knives lol.

[CanadianMike]

Ya, seems like a reasonable endeavour overall, good old barter system. I laughed above because you made it sound like there was a standard! ;)

[Adam Savage]

I think there used to be a standard, in the days of the guilds, but not sure what it is these days lol. BS101 or something maybe lol.

[CanadianMike]

BS101 works for me. ;)

[Adam Savage]

Mind you, after a quick interweb search, BS101 comes up with this page, for a couple results... lol

http://www.albionstairlifts.co.uk/reconditioned-stairlifts/bespoke-bs101-curved

[Adam Savage]

Or.. a BS101 Flange....:p

http://www.seekpart.com/company/348/products/201111281416281666591160442.html

[CanadianMike]

Lol, now there is a set of standards!!! One to haul ass, one to seal something.

[Adam Savage]

May be the perfect set of standards for blade smithery lol

[CanadianMike]

Update:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/385420_215159758568561_117036668380871_457913_9479 6334_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/387716_215160745235129_117036668380871_457915_3626 65818_n.jpg

And, something I'm including for test/review, a Kydex neck sheath:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/390874_215161348568402_117036668380871_457916_1103 069892_n.jpg

[Adam Savage]

OOOOW, shiny :)

[Fletching]

Sorry for the delay, but I had to order a bleedin' 'proprietary' USB cable for my Sony camera and I've been in hospital.

Anyway, here's some shots of the fabulous Scout I got from Mike:

The knife is small but perfectly formed and fits in my hand in such a way that doing different tasks with the knife just feels so easy. Your thumb fits in the perfect position on the top of the blade for thumb pushing tasks.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6972097269_7fc2b9218b_b.jpg

Mike also gave me a kydex sheath to try out, and i've got to say, it's a really good neck sheath, especially with a cord cutter slot.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6825979218_ee3875ef13_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6972096887_c06e48e2f5_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6972096803_c2d6f636c2_b.jpg

So, in summary, this is a small knife that can handle big tasks with ease. I haven't tried it for skinning yet, but according to Treefrog, this is the perfect knife for skinning beaver! The blades 3" and the best thing about this knife is that it is just so ergonomic and built to last. It came very sharp and after quite a bit of use, I've only had to run it over a ceramic side of a whetstone to get it uber sharp again. Mike, this one's a winner!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/6825978126_e4f5325ae1_b.jpg

[CanadianMike]

Awesome pictures and review, thanks for that. Did you oil the sheath? That looks great! And I kept forgetting to ask you your thoughts on the Kydex neck sheath, but you got to it well, glad it works well.

[Primerib]

Awesome knife! And nowadays with all the G10, Micarta, FRN etc. tactical whatsoever material a carefully chosen wood handle is always a pleasure to see. In the state before giving the knife its wooden handles i must admit it did very much remind me of the ESEE Izula. Except for the scandi-grind of course as the izula is flat ground.

Anyways! Very nice looking knife and i hope it will be a trusty companion!

[CanadianMike]

Thanks for that. Honestly, I did draw some influence from the Izula as far as rough size goes, designed mine with a longer handle and a blade shape taken from my Shaman design. The initial Scouts were all cord wrapped handles with Kydex sheath, intent was a small tactical/survival knife (holes in handle, where you see the pins above, are lashing holes to make a spear if needed), then I tried making a wood handled version, turned out awesome as well, very flexible design overall. :)

[Primerib]

Bazzzinga! ;)

Why did you chose a scandigrind? To have a bit more beef in the spine for perhaps choping or batoning?

[CanadianMike]

Is actually a 12 degree bevel on most knives I make these days, with the actual edge being a secondary one, great compromise between cutting/slicing/edge holding ability and strength (many people who have bought a Scout have done all kinds of things to test, ranging from using as a throwing knife, cutting carpet while installing it in a couple rooms, even a week's worth of yardwork with the knife, trying to dull it, the guy ended up throwing it at a woodpile for an hour to get it kinda dull, but the edge came back after a dozen swipes on a ceramic rod).

And these things (along with the larger Shaman) are great for batoning, due to the bevel shoulder being about halfway up the blade, allows it to split wood easily without the wood touching the edge past the first whacks.

[Roadkillphil]

Mike, that is verrrry nice!! :D Another nice shiny thing that I want!! Seeing all these nice blades made by folks on here is gonna turn me into a knife nut....

[CanadianMike]

Thanks!

Here's a Shaman I cut out and HT'd over the weekend, OD micarta handles.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/426887_256859921065211_117036668380871_547233_7523 75032_n.jpg

[rossbird]

Sorry for the delay, but I had to order a bleedin' 'proprietary' USB cable for my Sony camera and I've been in hospital.

Anyway, here's some shots of the fabulous Scout I got from Mike:

The knife is small but perfectly formed and fits in my hand in such a way that doing different tasks with the knife just feels so easy. Your thumb fits in the perfect position on the top of the blade for thumb pushing tasks.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6972097269_7fc2b9218b_b.jpg

Mike also gave me a kydex sheath to try out, and i've got to say, it's a really good neck sheath, especially with a cord cutter slot.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6825979218_ee3875ef13_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6972096887_c06e48e2f5_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6972096803_c2d6f636c2_b.jpg

So, in summary, this is a small knife that can handle big tasks with ease. I haven't tried it for skinning yet, but according to Treefrog, this is the perfect knife for skinning beaver! The blades 3" and the best thing about this knife is that it is just so ergonomic and built to last. It came very sharp and after quite a bit of use, I've only had to run it over a ceramic side of a whetstone to get it uber sharp again. Mike, this one's a winner!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/6825978126_e4f5325ae1_b.jpg

Another great knife Steve, your keeping the knifemakers on here busy :)
Well done Mike, satisfied customer says it all.

[CanadianMike]

Is the best thing about making knives, people's reactions!

[Amazed]

Thats a beautiful knive you have there! Well done! I love the Maple scales!

[Adam Savage]

How does the Kydex "safety cutter" notch work? Been meaning to ask for a while now lol.

[CanadianMike]

Literally is for cutting cordage with one hand, such as when tying lines to a tree or something, hold the line taught, grab the knife sheath hanging around your neck, cut the line and let the sheathed knife plop back onto your chest. Pulling the knife out requires two hands, as does sheathing it, so the notch works great because you don't have to do either to cut cordage.

[Amazed]

That is brilliant!

[CanadianMike]

Thanks! When I (and a couple friends) was doing some testing of Scout knives during an island camping trip last Oct, we were setting up some massive tarps to form a big windbreak, and having to pull rope tight and hold it, then reach for the knife, pull it out (upside down helps), cut, then use two hands to resheath, this slot works VERY well!

[Fletching]

Yep, it works very well. It's now my favourite tool (sheathed in the kydex) when Im weaving paracord!

[CanadianMike]

Very good, glad you proved the idea's worth for me. :)