Making a Bone Handle Knife

Today in the shop I am making a small knife for my daughter for a Christmas present. She and I recently were out searching for materials in the woods to make a Thanksgiving table centerpiece when we found a White Tail Deer Skeleton, including the skull with antlers. We brought the skull back to the shop, where I made a mount for it and hung it on my wall, which was also made into a recent video. I also brought back with me several leg bones with the surprise purpose in mind of using them as scales for the knife I'm making today.
This knife is made from 1/8" 1084 steel, with a blade length of 2.5 inches, and an overall length length of 6.25 inches. The handle is made from 3/32" thick black acrylic, and white tail deer leg bone, with 1/8" brass pins.
This was a great build, which turned out really nicely, and my daughter was super excited to receive it for Christmas. She will get lots of chances to use it camping and backpacking this camping season, and for years to come.
My inspiration for the size and general shape if this knife came from Joshua Gallardo. He makes some really beautiful knives, so go check him out on Instagram @gallardo_knives, and give him a follow.

[@jamesshank7918]

Nice build, I watched it twice. I've been a woodworker for fifty years, but my middle daughter asked me to make her a knife. I told her I didn't know how. She said KZbin, and hung up. I've made her three, and a dozen others. She wanted a sheath. I started to tell her I wasn't a leather worker. KZbin. I now have a leather bench in the corner of my shop, and a cowboy 3200. Love your work.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Love it! Thanks James.

[@randyblackburn9765]

Thumbs up on the knife, very nice

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thumbs up to you!

[@bugnfront]

An idea....since handles are a hold point for bacteria, make a one piece series especially for skinning and processing. I used to use a universal one piece in the back wilds. They can be fire steriLized in the back wilds by using the campfire. Done right you don't lose temper or hardening. I have seen some with paracord for quick removal before skinning the steriLized and reapply the cord for other uses. I for one would love to see a vid..thanx...May you feet be sure upon the trail and your campfire warm and of course, may your trail tales be true!

[@bradouellette6558]

What 17 haters couldn’t appreciate this mans unique craftsmanship and the efforts he goes through to make a meaningful gift for a love he shares with his daughter

[@williamyork1601]

U are "the art of craftsmanship ".I've learned how to heat treat by watching your videos,you're a very good instructor, God bless.WEY

[@Akarnf2]

Hello to you, I am a hobbyist knife maker from Israel and it just amazes me how you and me uses almost the same equipment materials and techniques! Methodical and accurate work! Good for you. Benny

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Right on! Thanks for watching

[@bharkins90]

Awesome work thanks for the video

[@jeffnotti9932]

Outstanding!!!👍👍👍🗡

[@HShobbys]

Beautiful knife you made white the bone handels. 😊 👍

[@frankyantosca5012]

Absolutely beautiful. I ran into you to get an idea for a simple knife sheath. Then I saw you started making a knife with bone handles and my interest just kept growing. Always wanting to make a knife, you presented a fairly simple process for me to use for my first knife from scratch. I hope it turns out even half as knife as yours. I too like small knives, so I am excited to see how this turns out. I have worked in all these mediums since I was a kid. My main skillset is a leather smith which I have been doing regularly since 1970 so I have been at it for a while. I was lucky enough to go to an inner city school in Baltimore City back in the 1960's where for the boys, all forms of "shop" were required. Leather, wood, plastics, and metals. I got to run a metal lathe and learned to make a welders hammer with a threaded and knurled handle, case hardened flat & sharp ends on the head. It was quite an experience but best off it woke up that thinking of the possibilities of all those mediums and methods. Though I picked leather as my main skill set, I kept active in metals for much of the time as well, which is why your video fascinated me. I will be looking at many more of your videos and hope to learn much from you in the future. BTW, I think I saw you grinding the dear bone without a mask. I spent years not using protection on my ears and lungs but, dear bone and most other bones are very toxic and should not be breathed in. You should make it a rule to NEVER grind or make any types of 'bone dust' without a good respirator. Thanks again for your willingness to share your skills. Maybe I can pass on some of my leather skills to you one day. Thanks again, Frank t/a Red Oak Leathers

[@edanthony4131]

I made one like that for my grandson for his tenth birthday. He'll be 21 this week, and his mom says, that is still his most prized procession...I'm still not crazy about working with "bone" for scales. Beautiful little blade. I'm working on one for one of my grand daughters now. I'm thinking about trying bamboo...

[@kengoodman7719]

Awesome! Too much talent!!!

[@deo53]

I enjoy watching your videos. Thanks

[@douglasfathers4848]

Very nice knife I'm sure your daughter will love it as much as she loves her dad .

[@joseh6694]

I love your videos!!!!!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks for watching Jose!

[@franko1372]

You Sir, are a "Master Knife-maker"..... Beautiful Knife!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you!

[@pietervandermerwe4235]

Beautiful little knife and very informative video for wannabe knifemakers like myself great job and thank you

[@keepthefaith35]

Looks absolutely fab, she'll be thrilled with it. ATVB Malcolm 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@stewartmorris8898]

I really like how you show your mistakes and work around's. Quality craftmanship and video's

[@robbievarnadoe8502]

Great little bit knife. Enjoyed watching.

[@sethhoward2060]

Very nice! I’m sure she’ll really treasure it!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you Seth.

[@johnmutton799]

And you really don't need alot of fancy gear to make a knife when you can buy stock steel. I made my first knife using files to do the bevels. Your daughter is a lucky girl. And again enjoyed watching. And that is a very nice looking knife. Well done sir!

[@thealicemonster9217]

I loved it. It's awesome that you made your daughter such a nice knife. You seem like such a good person. I love watching your content, it's so wholesome!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you so much. She loves it.

[@thealicemonster9217]

@@TheArtofCraftsmanship I am glad to hear it :)

[@lisacoppinger8448]

Nice to see someone else that sands the radeii the way I do. Beautiful knife

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks Lisa!

[@skr2935]

Very nice video and great work. A top tip when working with natural bone: boil it for about an hour in a mixture of water and chlorine (roughly 20 parts water 1 part chlorine or stronger if you please). This will whiten the bone a bit, but most importantly it will draw out most of the fats within the bone itself so that it will not start to smell and brown after a while. It also helps somewhat on the unbearable smell while working with it ;-)

[@hrishikeshkartha6806]

i use bakingsoda instead of chlorine and that works too , and after that i dip it in hydrogen peroxide and let in be in the sun to whiten

[@nickdunbar2967]

Fantastic.I knew about bone as handle material but never saw it done til now. Excellent as is filming and editing. A great knife.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you Nick! I, and my daughter, love the look of the bone. And thank you for the compliment on the video. Devon works hard bring the quality every time.

[@Stillpoint23]

D.a.d. = Dad And Daughter. I love going on hikes with my daughter as well, always seem to find something to bring home :)

[@luisfaria4158]

what a touching video and story. every knife has a story. your daughter is very lucky. enjoy together and thanks for sharing this experience

[@julianclarke7178]

Wow, what a work of art, such a special present as well. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe, Jules, Droitwich, England

[@mbyard356]

That’s a beautiful little knife, that will give your daughter many years of service. Now you need to make a nice leather sheath for it.

[@vfczurc]

Beutiful work, thanks

[@jamessotherden5909]

Beautiful knife, And one she will cherish forever.

[@vincentgolden5352]

Awesome knife Dad of the year award thanks for sharing Takecare

[@michaelboone5398]

What an amazing gift, that is a heritage piece.

[@lisag2771]

Turned out awesome!

[@AlirezaSedighinejad]

Finally, somebody knows what’s up, I enjoyed watching it brother, good job

[@richardbryant7972]

I got some bone and was wondering how to use it, well you answered that question for me. Thank you a great video

[@SonOfLiberty1984]

Rocking it from every angle! Outstanding!

[@terrydouglas2777]

Awesome thanks for sharing. I also seen video where you made three cases for the knives, including case for your little girl. You are a great teaching your kids about nature and taking them camping. You are making great memories for them, keep it up buddy.

[@thomasclayon9143]

Thanks

[@daveintheshed4870]

Turned out great, nice job.

[@paulmendolia8483]

Well done. love the black liner used for the bone base.

[@donscottvansandt4139]

Beautiful and functional little knife. Love the size. I find a large knife very hard to work with. 2.5 to. 4 inch is perfect for me.

[@brucewootten3143]

You have amazing skill and I love your videos. I look forward to the sheath video.

[@kimcurtis9366]

Sweet knife build and the fact that you and your daughter found the leg bones, together is a real plus! It's a knife I'm sure she will get lots of use from and she will remember when and where the scales were found and that it was a time that the two of you spent together. I love the fact that you are a dad that does a lot with your children! THAT is something I wish all children had, time with their fathers that they will remember their whole lives! KUDOS!!

[@dominiqueleblanc2193]

Amazing knife and even more amazing video! Your daughter will love that knife. Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@k.w.churchill4397]

nice work.....impressive

[@pskemster]

Throughly enjoyed watching you put that knife together. Top shelf all the way!

[@domsybarranco7064]

nice clamp arrangement!

[@jacetheshepard1917]

Killing it King!

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Absolutely fantastic Bone knife !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ourjourneyhome3690]

I believe your supposed to boil the bones really good. It takes all of the smelly marrow out and there shouldn't be any smell after. I saw a few people do it this way in the past. I dont know what type of solution they used to boil them but it always turned out very white and clean. A little food for thought!

[@jamesnapier107]

Awesome Christmas gift

[@Musrusticus-]

Great video, thank you.

[@dirk480]

I can't remember the knife maker where I learned this from but I now drill my pin holes in tang a bit larger than the actual pin itself. This allows a little play in the fit-up and the gap is filled with the epoxy anyway. The holes in the scales are still drilled the size of the pin. Anyway, it is really nice seeing how you have progressed over that last couple years

[@superclaymaster]

I’m totally going to try this! Thanks

[@emeraldfox7175]

I always do this

[@Sonic_Ox]

Beautiful work. You might be able to avoid that warp if you don't lay the knife on it's side against cold steel anvil between heat treatment.

[@jaggededge8749]

What a great job! Well done!

[@randysparks1271]

Just wanted to let you know that your videos were a huge help. I just finished my first knife ever. It's a small game knife made from a file. Turned out better than I thought possible.

[@Forging403]

Wow great knife.

[@billbatch3699]

Looks awesome! Thank you for sharing. I actually found this video after finding some deer bones out hiking with my kids

[@kubotamaniac]

Very very nice work!!!! Superb video!!

[@Makete100]

Absolutely beautiful. Great workmanship.

[@user-oh8cr7ji9v]

Super cool video I appreciate the information that you shared with us!! Really enjoyed it

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you. Glad you liked it.

[@joshualabenz5918]

You can fix a warp also by clamping your steel to some flat bar when you temper it . Helps me out a lot. Good video, thanks.

[@philliphilton3441]

Love it you got a talent

[@ecotiere8190]

Love your work, I'm learning a lot !

[@darrelllogan1274]

Awesome!

[@chrisVvV1821]

Perfect!Greetings from Crete, Greece!We also make hand forged,silver carved and bone hadle traditional knifes!

[@brunohrvatska]

Very nice, clean and smooth process. Enjoyed watching the video

[@rev2kev]

Another great job. Just a beautiful knife.

[@chrisgerber6281]

Beautiful little knife. Deer bone handle gives it indeed a special finish. Well done!

[@larthack80]

Just found your channel and you sir are great! I’m a big bushcraft fan so I enjoy the axe and knife making. I am actually going to try making my sheath because of you. Thank you.

[@cutenose38]

Such a beautiful knife and lovely handles. I love your videos they are always so well edited and the music is good. Keep them coming 😸💝

[@josephprovens8719]

I love watching your show, you are a fine Craftsman. Thank you.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you for watching Joseph.

[@davekendrick7231]

👍💕🇬🇧 a wonderful present for your daughter

[@jasonflynnpp144]

Beautiful work, and a cool story.

[@bobgreenwald4649]

I like how admits to his mistakes. I’m interested in making knives and this shows the steps. Cool video

[@Il_Bruno]

I suggest you to check out Walter Sorrells channel as well as Slavik Tely and Simple little life channels

[@iamjmann]

Beautiful knife and great video. Love your teaching style.

[@Former0311]

Beautiful

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

I would like to point out that I was happy to see you wearing a respirator while cutting metal. You and your viewers should be reminded that a respirator must be worn while cutting and especially sanding bone. Once in the lungs, the damage has been done. It can cause Emphysema and cancer. I'm not an alarmist either. I'm someone who watched a loved one die from breathing in metal and bone dust after years of knife making. Respirators can be purchased on eBay for less than $10.00. 3M makes some very good and inexpensive half masks and replacement filters can be found on there fairly inexpensive as well. The knife came out beautifully.

[@TheHarleyhillbilly]

CrossGrain Wood Products,LTD thanks for your comment.

[@beargoode7436]

man you could boil the bones with dish detergent before using also stabilize the bone before use bugs can live in that raw bone for quite a while

[@medicmike4906]

Good job. Nice to see you using spacer material. Next time try using mosiac pins as well as buff out that bone with some knife polish from Jantz supply or Ebay. The best thing about that knife you made for your daughter is she will hand that down for decades to your grandchildren. Nothing beats that!

[@supertrooper7403]

Good job brother. Looks amazing. Matt

[@aliabazaid4293]

Careful work, produce a beautiful piece ... Well done

[@smokeycanopy]

A beautiful piece of art.

[@nateand3]

Beautiful knife man. I always carry a belt knife that i made. I'd gladly add this one to my EDC rotation tho. Your daughter will love it

[@jackjetpilot]

Love it!

[@Fruitcupper]

Great video! thanks for sharing. I made a deer antler plectrum for a guitar last year, that burnt bone smell sure hangs around.

[@zackmendiola485]

It's a beautiful knife 😍... I'm sure your girl will love and cherish the knife and it will be a great family hareloom for years to come.....

[@jimsarranadventures3005]

Thanks for your inspirational videos, you have started me off in the apprenticeship of the art of craftsmanship. Am a retired engineer, so know a bit about working with metals, just need to refine the wood side of things. I see that like me you spend a lot of time underground though living on a Scottish island, trying to combat the damp is a constant problem. Thanks again for your channel, will be watching. Cheers, Jim.

[@robertmayer6361]

Wow, beautiful. Love it! I like a small knife also. Your Daughter will cherish it. Great job!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks Robert!

[@jshpaint]

That turned out gorgeous!

[@michaelshearer3559]

Great video, and beautiful knife made with care. We keep learning with every project. Awesome job!

[@Dave-zb9dq]

One buetiful knife, hopefully everyone likes this 🗡️ beautiful!

[@ronirwin8156]

Another awesome video, thank you

[@josegoncalves5731]

Cool !!!! Brother Brazil

[@jeremyb.1977]

Awesome little knife! - Jeremy

[@dragonlady299]

That is amazing craftmanship. What a beautiful knife.I would love to learn how to make knifes and such.

[@FeralBoyKnives]

Beautiful!

[@inthewoodswithbigfoot3941]

Great looking knife! I hope that we will see you making a sheath for it! Keep up the great work!

[@phyllismulkey3778]

wow beautiful knife