Thanks for all of your comments and questions.
Mitch:
The forging process took about an hour, filing the shape and draw filing the edge bevel to about two hours. I dont count heat treating as time as most of it is just waiting on time. I put on five layers of buffalo rawhide, each layer taking about 1/2 to hour per layer. I gave each layer one day to dry before putting on the next layer. So to answer your question I would say about 6 - 8 hours.
Halftail:
Yes it sharpens very well. The blade is very deep and thin. If you look closely at the picture of the blade you might see a very thin line where it has been sharpened. It is scarey sharp.
Leathermoose:
I dont plan on shelacing, varnishing or treating the handle. I have to let buffalo rawhide soak over night and sometimes for more than 24 hours to get it pliable enough to work. Many older knife companies such as Ka-Bar, Western, Case and Robeson offered leather handles on their knives. Many of the knives issued to our service men in WWll, Korea, Vietnam ect. had leather handles. Even now, I think the issue jet pilot's knife has an untreated leather handle. Buffalo rawhide is infinitely tougher than the leather on handles and should be very durable. Each time a person uses this knife the handle will take on more character and personality. Yes, sweat might affect it, but it dries out super fast. If you fell out of a canoe and went under for a day or so a soggy knife handle will the least of your problem. And if the rawhide becomes totally unserviceable it can be replaced much easier than say micarta or antler.
All of your comments are appreciated. :hatsoff:
Joe
