Knife made from combat boot.

[sleek]

I used to be in the Navy and loved the 5 years I spent in. I also loved the steel toed boots I was issued. So I was upset when I finally had to retire my old boots. But I decided to give them new life. I cut out the steel toe in them both a year ago, and just tonight got to making my skinning knife I been wanting. The sheath isnt made yet but will be made from the leather of the boot, and the necklace it will hang from will be the old boot lace.

This wasnt easy to do. Forging the bent steel toe flat was a PITA and it still tore open in two places. But lucky for me, the shape it took between the tares was just what I was looking for in shape. As thin as the material is, it was hard to get it to the power steering fluid quench fast enough. I am still not happy with how hard it is so I may take the shingles off and redo it. When put to my belt sander for some stock removal, it lit up like a sparkler so I imagine this is high carbon stuff. I may try a water quench but am worried about it breaking. Anyways, here are some pics. I am happy with it, especially knowing I can go back and try again on the quench.









Any comments good and bad are very welcome! I am trying to get warmed up for the KITH...

[madcrow]

Nice looking knife.  Heat up one of the scrap pieces to the critical temp and quench in water.  Some of the steel I have works great with a heavy salt water.

[NeolithicMan]

That is a really kool way to recycle something you love into something you really love! Im not one for throwing out things of future usefulness either, now I have a great idea for old boota from work!

[koan]

That is really thinkin outside the box... Love it!!.... Brian

[DGF]

Cool little knife. Love the idea of using all the materials from the boot itself.

-Dan

[Jeanette]

On of my blacksmithing mentors use to heat up knives and quench them in old motor oil the blacker the better....put a nice temper on the blade and a pretty blueing.

[bowtarist]

Thats cool sleek! I've gotten rid of several pair of steel toed boots, wish I woulda had that idea.  Post pics when sheath is done too.  dpg

[wildman]

Man, that is as creative an idea as I have seen lately cool idea!

[Trapper Rob]

Nice handle looks good.

[sleek]

Ok, not sure how I feel about the sheath, but here it is for now. I may make another, but I do like how the boot lace will fold the sheath in half to secure the knife in place so it wont come out.

[HoBow]

Cool project!!

[Badly Bent]

Very cool use of something special.

[KrisDelger]

If you end up trying this again heat the steel to critical temp and then let it air cool, this should help avoid tearing it when you go to re-heat and flatten it. Then once you've got it into the shape you want with the edge profile done you can re-heat to a critical temp then quench it in either oil or salt water (my preferred quench medium) After that's done slowly heat it to temper and then you should have a pretty good knife out the steel toe! Sorry just my two worthless cents here.