Make a Sailor's Knife with a Hamon!

In this video bladesmith Walter Sorrells makes a knife for a sailor. The blade was designed by a customer and then brought to life by Walter. The knife features a hamon and demonstrates the process of clay hardening a blade.
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[@ahvavee]

My knife is arriving tomorrow. Walter, all my thanks, appreciation and respect. This knife will be the highlight of my collection. Thanks to the viewer who sent the Texas ebony as well. The main thing that makes this knife a sailors knife is the shape of the blade. Generally it of the sheeps foot variety. It’s best to not have a pointy blade when you’re rocking around on a boat. Wood choice is obvious as it has to resist moisture. Any viewers/mariners who know more than I please enlighten. I’m into marlinspike seamanship and this will be my knife for life. Soon a katana...

[@ahvavee]

The hamon was my choice as when you cut a larger piece of rope you lay it down and whack the back of the knife with your marlinspike or wood or what have you. Definitely for function as well as looks.

[@ivysinistra]

It's so thick, any specific reason for the thickness?

[@ahvavee]

Copperman I wanted a knife that would stand up to just about anything. I’m a fan of steel. I realize a thick blade isn’t good for every task but then again i have thin blades as well.

[@Kraakesolv]

I love the design, really beautiful.

[@elund408]

I read a book once that said the British navy knocked off the ends of sailors knives to keep them from being used against the officers officers in the days when sailors were press ganged.

[@Uncephalized]

"Can't un-drill a hole." My TIG machine says otherwise. ;-) Nice build as always Walter!

[@wumarNart]

Sailor Hamoon

[@ericlummus480]

Man, you have really perfected the Hamon process. Well done sir.

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

Nice hamon. Heck- nice everything. Los Angeles production values too. Always a treat Walter, thanks.

[@yoBigWave]

absolute beauty of a knife., might be my favorite blade style for a knife

[@censusgary]

Texas Ebony! I’m thrilled to see you using this wood. The trees grow all over the place here in far south Texas, and I’ve been wanting to make something out of the wood. There’s even a town here named Los Ebanos (“The Ebony Trees” in Spanish).

[@jeffreyharriman4047]

They are called sailor's knives because they do not have a pointed tip that could be used for stabbing others on the vessel. Captains would order sailors to break off the tips of their knives when they came aboard. Plus the basic wharncliffe shape is perfect for cutting rope cleanly on a chopping block using a wooden mallet hitting the spine of the knife. Traditionally, the knife scales were made from lignum vitae, the preferred wood for making deadeyes and blocks for 18th and 19th century sailing ships.

[@joelaut12]

Nice work Walter, keep posting.

[@scottlandmcc]

Gorgeous and ty for sharing!

[@esnyd]

Great, you're build videos are the best, I learn something new every time.

[@desertdanblacksmith1394]

Beautiful ! Good Stuff Walter! Thx

[@skipwatson5258]

Love your videos Walter!

[@richardturietta9455]

Another great feature of the knife is the fact that since it has the finger grip your hand won't slip onto the blade. I do sailing on the Elissa, the Tall Ship of Texas, and have been aloft 100' over the top of the deck in 6 foot seas rocking back and forth over the water, and believe me, you don't want your blade to slip! The other key feature is the lanyard hole, no sailor wants to lose the knife over the water, and if you are aloft you don't want it falling to the deck and injuring someone or damaging something or getting damaged itself. Finally, the sheeps foot is for stabbing safety, and tradition has it that in the old days it also prevented sailors from having a stabbing weapon in case of a mutiny or fight on the ship! That's the exent of my knowledge, great knife!

[@overbuiltlimited]

Beautiful blade! This video is an excellent illustration on just why custom knives are more expensive. The amount of hand work that went into this knife is immense. And to think it’s “only” a stock removal knife.

[@neilyakuza6595]

I really Like the technique for your hamon, thanks for sharing.

[@ihaveaheadache4657]

Man, that’s a beautiful knife. Awesome work!

[@claybornmusic3871]

Amazing work brother!!!

[@kennethomeara9848]

Nice work! Sir

[@scottmccarroll2618]

Once again great video and an awesome build Thanks so much for sharing your work and instruction in sharing your years of blood sweat and tears saving us from the same mistakes 👍👍 Scott’s custom knives NSW Australia

[@MrAustindies84]

Amazing, mate

[@mancheetah5610]

Stunning

[@volcanowb]

Very cool!

[@100BearPaw]

That’s slick !

[@jardeldourado7419]

Muito bom!! Estou acompanhando seu canal aqui do Brasil, suas técnicas enxem os olhos,estou aprendendo muito obrigado.

[@MTCoalForge]

Very cool

[@EffnShaShinko]

Love it!

[@kynaston1474]

It's a sailor's knife because the point being rounded down prevents you from jabbing yourself under rough seas. Amazing work as usual!

[@markmoreno7295]

Also old timers used the thick back upon which to hammer on with a bronze marlingspike when cutting thick rope.

[@john-ck8sw]

That's beautiful

[@msblades5382]

That Texas Ebony is beautiful I'd love to get some to try... Martin

[@splashingeagle]

I was actually holding my breath during your quench...you have nerves of high-carbon steel sir. I remember my father had a knife with a similar profile when he was a rigger working on ships, and would use a small mallet to baton through large diameter rope, and it gave a really clean, square edge.

[@donaldmerrill5152]

Hello all, After 20+ years in the Coast Guard I am very familiar with this type of knife. It is also referred to as a rigging knife and is commonly accompanied by a marlin-spike for loosening up knots in line (rope). The knives are usually made thick and stout so that they can be hit it from the back side to split a large piece of line such as Mooring lines or Towing lines. Great job on the knife Walter you nailed it.

[@ric0shae]

I was going mad that he kept calling it a Sailors Knife and not a Rigging Knife!

[@dalekidd420]

Sweet. Planning on doing a sailor's knife myself in the near future, though a simpler design (intended to portray an early 1800s sailor's blade). This was a good reference. Many thanks.

[@simmonscarl1]

I noticed where your CAD dimensions matched the radius’s of your belt grinder, clever.

[@andrewsmith1520]

I don't have any idea what a sailors knife is or what it's intended use is, but I could look at that knife all day.. Such a beauty!

[@skoitch]

A .005/.010 countersink on each side of that lanyard tube would’ve really been a nice finishing touch. Really enjoying your work!

[@tikkidaddy]

Howard Clark is considered a master swordsmith even by the Japanese now! I love the work he did on Weaponmasters Katana

[@ifell3]

Looks like quite a useful knife, could also use it well in the kitchen.

[@YanZeLifting]

Wow, never knew hamon could be used without hamon breathing! Especially since this is using a knife instead!

[@ManCrafting]

I'm sure if I search I'll find the answer. Did Walter build or buy the press he's using? Did he do a video on it if he built it?

[@DanGoodShotHD]

That is for sure a sailor's knife. The only thing missing is a marlin-spike. The straight, flat, high bevel blade makes it excellent for cutting and splicing rope and line. Job well done.

[@mikethompson6713]

Old Navy man here, I never heard of a sailors knife. We had a pocket knife, and I think it was called a TL-29. But then again, I can’t remember what I had for breakfast. Love the videos. Thanks.

[@curtispoppenberg7349]

Well, there are sailors and there are navymen. Different people, different tools

[@fnordfnordsson4385]

If you didn't have sails, you didn't need a sailor's knife ;) This is a very traditional rigging knife design with flat belly and sheep's foot end. Handy for chopping rope and unpicking whipping.

[@hotdog99100]

Walter, wonderful work. Was wondering if you have ever used your mill to cut some parallel recess groves in the tang to enhance epoxy bond and trim some weight? Could see a like work done on the inside of the handle scales; all the more on the oily woods.

[@alexbeedie6940]

Before synthetic ropes were invented Lines had to be incredibly thick, the thickest I have heard of was 15inch diameter! Knives like these were designed to be battoned (hammered) through the ropes.

[@Justice_John]

Hello. I was wondering what is the hydraulic press that you use?

[@lotmom]

From what I understand, the reason it's a sailor's knife is because of the wharncliffe with a slight belly. That shape makes it very easy to slice and chop rope up against the gunnel of your boat. From what I understand, that is.

[@googleisacruelmistress1910]

1 note though if I am not mistaken then while making hamon you do cote the blade you just do it a lot less then the spine, I read it in some book that explained the process of making a katana but it was ages ago which's name I can't even remember and I'm not sure how infallible it is so I might be wrong

[@64t120r]

Walter, is that a Sponge Bob pencil you're using? Hahaha. I got your video about hamons. The lemon juice approach is now my method of choice for bringing out the hamon. More time, but it allows for a lot more control and a more beautiful hamon.

[@muledeerdude]

About how long did it take to get the round stock down to the desired flat stock dimensions?

[@wild_willy_from_twin_city4526]

Never heard Bois D'arc called Texas ebony,.... taught me something Sir Walter

[@wild_willy_from_twin_city4526]

Sorry google said they are different,.....

[@larrybair8074]

Now that’s a knife Walter. A real man size!

[@matthewmillar3804]

Walter, you use the Minwax finishing was directly on wood? Do other types of wax work as well?

[@aslob9321]

Matthew Millar + I’ve used beeswax with great success.

[@GovannonForge]

Walter just to be clear, was that Water into Oil once, and the close up was just a repeat of one motion? Or did you go water - oil - back to water - back to oil?

[@scrout]

Pin end detail? Please tell me about that?

[@blitzhop]

I like the phrase "screw up room" 😁

[@arinrynegray3457]

Me to

[@coleyeaux]

Wouldn't lc200N be a better choice for a sailors knife?

[@GentlemanLoserDK]

can I use alcohol to remove oil?

[@screwytb]

Seems like maybe that design included a rope cutting hook (ie google "whitby sailors lock LK10" or "gill harness rescue tool") to make it a sailing knife, though I prefer a more protected blade.

[@mercurialsnake4503]

Do you have to control your breathing for it?

[@Bravo21]

As a Bonified blue water Sailor I believe the reason he calls it a 'Sailor's Knife' is because it has a 'Sheepsfoot' blade profile. This profile is commonly associated with sailors because of its use in the British Navy of the 1800's, and in fact its still used today on 'Traditional' style line or Rigging knives. I myself have had a Buck Yachtsman Model 315 for over 40yrs.

[@themildboys698]

Bravo21 it’s almost a wharncliffe profile with the slope of that spine, healthy medium of the two? Still has a useable point but much thicker along the profile of the blade for strength

[@ckpn7]

1085 water quench has caused the edge breaking.

[@matthewnazaroff9537]

How much?

[@rayroid6656]

Very nice 👍 good job 👍 I.I.I.like or.

[@noblegreen2692]

Hey Walter why don't you make a series of videos making knives and blades from all over the world

[@ckpn7]

1085 water quenched will get 62 HRC. But no use as tempering will bring down to 58 HRC. . 1086 cold oil quench will get martensite with some lower bainite which is tough. Why water quench?.

[@dusanpavlovic2201]

can you make hamon with 1084 and ferric chloride

[@hendrikvanleeuwen9110]

I believe so. Have tried it on truck spring with some success.

[@Eyesofthasouth]

Sweeeeeet!!!!

[@arsinioboka26]

Hi, I am a fairly new knife maker please could you tell me what do I need to start making better quality of knives in order for me to earn a buck or two from the work I make!? Thank you.

[@elrico1364]

I do not like 90 degree plunge cuts. Usually I wont buy one such knife. That Plunge Cut must have a good radius to it for strength and better appearance.

[@christopherflansburg2363]

"Sailors knives" have that sheepsfoot blade the old story is that captains in the old days would "point" the knives of sailors (break off the point) so they couldn't stab each other. I sail tallships professionally for about 25 years now and I hate stainless knives and never carry one with a sheepsfoot blade. But "different ships , different longsplices " as they say. Nice work! kinda wish I had all that fancy machinery in my shop! Fair winds!

[@richardturietta9455]

What tallship? I sail (only as a hobby) on the Elissa out of Galveston Tx.

[@christopherflansburg2363]

@@richardturietta9455 sorry I never saw your reply! I'm sailing In Roseway right now but I've been in POB2 ,Gamage,Spirit of mass, spirit of sc, Amistad, Californian, ToleMore, ... and a few others.

[@richardturietta9455]

@@christopherflansburg2363 Good luck with your sailing! I have been aboard Amistad, nice ship! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!

[@Shrimptje]

Can it defeat acient aztec vampires though?

[@atomicwinter31]

can it kill a bastard who killed my dog and father?

[@k9six185]

The reason sailors knives are shaped like that is because way back when in merry old England sailors were “impressed” into service, basically rounded up, clunked over the head and when they woke up they were out to sea for as long as they were needed, likely several years. A knife being a necessary tool for a sailor, the first mate would see to it that the points on all regular knives were broken off so they could not be used to stab the officers or other men aboard...The impressed men were usually not happy men.

[@gregf8167]

I quench with 1095 in water for 3 seconds and then water for nice hamon and no cracks so far, knock on wood.

[@raygetoutdoors6151]

Beautimus . . . Ray, Oklahoma

[@havensmith7013]

Walter I've started making knives but I'm missing a vice see I'm just 12 and I don't have the money

[@geemac7267]

Are you also an author?

[@martyzuno4807]

Just made his own precision ground flat stock .. no biggie

[@censusgary]

For a sailor’s knife, shouldn’t you use a corrosion-resistant metal? Or are you going for historical accuracy here?

[@andrewsmith1520]

who are the 5 idiots who thumbs downed this video? How does this video NOT meet or exceed expectations?

[@DPSDeucalion]

Jojo

[@chillcatking9866]

UNDERWATER TURQUOISE BLUE OVERDRIVE!

[@dylankerr4511]

Is that a mother fucking Jo-Jo reference?

[@lapislignum]

Dylan Kerr it sure is, just watched that episode half an hour ago. what are the odds?

[@LatteDZ]

Did you steal the pencil from some neighbor kid ?

[@mek8157]

I thought my phon is broken

[@wumarNart]

Nice Sponge bob pencil.

[@Gterr1971]

Why is it called a sailors knife? I've heard the warn cliff blade won't stick in you head as easily if dropped from above.also, knife fighting sucks with a sheep's foot.imagine fighting with an elephants toe folder ?