Making a Tactical Knife 

"As you get closer to something that starts to look vaguely non-awful..." And, "The bolts are tightened down with a pair of screwdrivers and some carefully applied cursing." That's what I love about these videos! Walter's come-as-you-are style and massive artistic talent!

Never made a knife myself but love watching craftsmanship videos of all kinds. Great work! Found your videos yesterday and watched almost all of them with great pleasure. Thank you for the entertainment and all the tutorials!

Hey, Walter. Just wanted to convey my thanks for posting so many useful and encouraging videos. We, the unwashed masses, really appreciate your efforts and advice. Thank you.

This is better than Netflix ! Your focus is incredible, your material is amazing. thanks for sharing.

Why do I feel like its my birthday when my phone buzzes, I look at it, it reads, " Walter Sorrels just posted a video on RU-vid " ?? I think the video about comparing coatings would be great. And a tactical/combat tanto with such a coating would be like Christmas!

another inspiring lesson about knifemaking from mr sorrels.

That's super awesome that you know that much about different firearm finishes. Personally, I kind of like the hawk bill because I think that design probably helps strengthen the tip, even though it might not be the best suited for penetration.

Mr. Sorells that is a fantastic, elegant in a word.

Love the build and style of the knife Walter. This goes from great to a PERFECT EDC self defense knife with a tanto grind on the blade. I think I will try something similar myself. Beautiful finish overall

the finish on the knife at 11:30 looks awesome

Walter- I'm a film editor/ amateur knife maker so I love watching your videos. I have a slight suggestion for your editor however, please keep the volume of working shot (grinding, forging, cutting, etc) low. No need to shift the volume up or down based on the Voice Over. I find myself adjusting the volume as I watch because the work sounds are too loud but then I need to turn the volume up to hear the VO. I would suggest just leaving the non-VO audio at the same level as it is during your VO. Thanks

I agree with what you said in the beginning of the video about a Tanto front edge. I would also like to see the sheath you made for it - I would think Kydex. Another great example of fine workmanship and a great video!

I found when trying to tighten those pens that instead of using two screwdrivers I would go ahead and attach a set of thin vice grips to one side and used screwdriver on the other. considering the fact that you're grinding down the one side the vice grip would be on it makes no difference if they get scratched or not. this makes it easier to tighten them down and definitely reduces the need to curse. awesome work by the way

that design is awesome the blade can slash like a karambit style blade but a stronger point

+Walter Sorrells Big fan of your work! I am a big tanto blade fan too... You should do a large tactical tanto blade video. Almost like something that military or law enforcement would carry on duty. I have not seen any videos of yours that discusses the tanto shape so I thought I would throw the idea in there. Keep the videos coming! Tim

Amazing work Walter. Been loving your videos ever since I found the channel. Keep it up :)

Goodnight Sally! I want that knife!! Amazing work, sir!

the wax made it look so cool!

I thoroughly enjoyed this! Thanks for sharing!

You're the best Walter. Thanks

That angle of blade has possibilities as a really good large game skinning knife.....:)Another Great video Sir. Many thanks !!

Great video, love these. Moly resin is good stuff and John is a nice guy, he lives a few miles from me.

Pretty sweet! I really appreciate your videos and your knowledge! Thanks and please keep it up!

As always, great video. Thanks for the share.

Beautiful knife! I'm really excited to see your upcoming charcoal forge video!

Great video! Thank you!

Walter, Thank you for continually filming great content. I have really enjoyed you channel. I cant wait to get home and start making some knives next year.

Looks great!

Really like your videos. Very informative.

Great video and I'm excited for the ones you mentioned are coming up in the future. I don't know if you even fool with folding knives, but if so, I think that would be a very interesting video from a guy like you who seems to be so knowledgeable about everything having to do with knife making. Have a great day and keep them coming1

Nice work!

Awesome video man!

Man, that was rad!

Sweet......such cool vids!

as usual excellent job

another awesome one man

Cool knife Walter.

Walter Sorrells, You are one cool guy... Love your videos and sites..

That's a cool design, wouldn't mind having one myself... 👍

Thanks Walter for bringing forward the idea of proto's to knife making...never hear of it in the amateur circles, probably because they are all Proto's. ~¿@ This was a beauty and will be good for a beta, IMHO. Also think you will be right about the Tanto for piercing instead of the modified Wharncliffe. Also thanks for the links to your suppliers for this...found some belts I had been looking for. ~PJ

Very nice knife!

awesome video!

Hey Walter, your dry wit always leaves with a grin. Was intrigued by the blade angle and point. Watched a video on knife law was impressed that if stopped, your intent for carrying the knife will be questioned, this appears more defensive and would probably make better impression. Thanks for posting, great content.

Awesome Knife

Looks killer!

great video man.

awesome!

Nice looking blade

great videos bro!!

when quenching dont stir back abd forth. up and down is ok, less likely to warp the blade. nice knife

very nice job...

Waiting for the follow up video 💀 but I might be dead by the time they are released lol... jokes aside, I appreciate the time u take for these videos! Can't wait to see the follow-up sir

Thank you very much

Absolutly beautiful

hey mr sorrells im a hobbyist bladesmith(thanks to you gough and trollsky) and on of the things im way into is throwing implements so naturally im secretly hoping youll do one on how to make a throwing knife soon this is basically me saying pretty please o merciful wise and powerful one will you make a throwing knife for the sake of the internet? thx lol love your work

That's cool, man.

I was wondering if you could make a leather sheath tutorial because most videos I've seen are very intricate ones

another cool video. i was thinking it'd be cool to see a demo of the various finishes, your thoughts on them, and then you say you got a video coming. way cool, really looking forward to that. and hopefully you get a chance to do a follow up to this one after your friend has had a chance to test this blade. personally, i think a double edge, like a dagger, would be better, but it'd be interesting to know what he thought of it. thanks for making this.

Man this guy is good

As always, nice vid. A beavertail is an option.

I'd love to see a follow up on this, how it performed for what he was using it for. Also, for stabbing purposes, could you get away with a slight bevel on the curved edge that could be sharpened? Or maybe a chisel tip on the lead edge? I'm just thinking about useful things I've seen on knives carried by EMT's and coworkers.

very nice 👍

Hey Walter, Have you considered trying other styles of blades, maybe like a balisong or Karambit to try moving parts or an extreme curve. Thanks Oscar

Hey Walter, What kind of refractory do you use on the inside of your forge? Also when you're going to replace the refractory could you show that process in a video?

If it's self defense, it should be a clip point so it penetrates well

"Vaguely non-awful" is what I try to shoot for.

A slight thumb ramp with glove-worthy jumping would add to the ability to cut with that wharnclife blade. I'm not talking huge, but something to add some extra purchase for the thumb along the spine would go great, and would make for a larger more distributed pivot for the edge when applying pressure with it in a cutting motion. You can also give the spine at the tip a "reverse tanto" grind so the wharnclife comes to a sharper point for better piercing capability, but finding a happy medium at which the angle is not too steep in either direction is a bit of a pain. Just some ideas! Otherwise, I really like the blade. It looks very ergonomic and has many real world applications outside of just tactical/defense.

I just made my first knife, thanks to you and your videos! I tagged you on Instagram. Thanks for all of the information.

Hum... Your plunge lines on that grind are perfection, as they always are. Any chance you could do a video on how to get good plunge lines? I have a burr king, with good tracking, yet my lines are always a little fuzzy, or they skip alittle... Thanks, Mike

Turned out really nice! How did you finish the handle without sanding off the moly?

Nice video Walter! But what colours did you use in your linen micarta?

another great video sir. quick question, what kind of bit were you using in the drill press when you began the pin holes? Many thanks! "vaguely not awful" great quote

The cool thing about a box of chocolates, You never quite know what you're gonna get.

Hey, great video, as usual. Your videos are very helpful for a newer knifemaker. You mentioned getting a differential hardening. Is that because the thinner edge of the blade heated faster? I've done it by heating the edge only with n oxy-acetylene torch. Do you think the methods provide similar results? Thanks!

Please do a video on guards and attaching them

How's that Walker wax working out Walter?

Walter, you know I love your work, and consider you at least somewhat of a friend/acquaintance due to the knife world. I mean this in the best way... I don't like the idea of a self-defense knife without a serious point. After all, especially with a fairly short blade, stabbing is your best weapon. So, the design would be much better with a spear point or something. Just my two cents, given with the best of intentions.

It looks like it would be good as a whittling knife

You kick ass sir

Can you try to make a friction folder? Plz

That shirt must be pretty comfy

How do you keep the blade coating on while finishing the handle scales?

hello there Walter i would like to start making knives as have a great collection . i would like to know if i make a small forge would a blow torch be enough to heat the steel red? thank you for your answer !

What did you use to profile the handle scales

Are your burners custom, or based on a specific pattern? They look like venturi burners at least, but I've never seen one with that big of a swell up by the control valve.

Have you ever tried making a karambit ?

Nincs új a nap alatt ! :) Ilyen idétlen formája volt a 80' években a Lakota vadászkéseknek! :)

Hi, I was wondering were you can find a wood that has a wood design on it.

Any updates on the beta testing?

Hi Walter, great video, did you ever consider making a folding Knife.

nice knife , can i use used car oil is it work bcs i hear that before some guy in youtube ?

Would I be able to use a stationary belt sander instead of a belt grinder

I've noticed, in several of your videos that, when you quench your blades, you move them from side to side, rather than in a slicing motion. Doesn't this have a higher chance of warping the blade, or does this really matter?

Me gustaria poder hacer algo asi algun dia

You mention a solvent to remove the excess epoxy; what is the solvent called?

10* Liking your series and talking vids. Good instructions, train us up! Nobody wants an untrained bushie or preppie.

love the rusty screwdriver ;p

I would like a knife like this for carving... only straight and the blade all the way to the hilt. The hilt top longer than the bottom for your thumb. This would be perfect with the metal straight not bent, and the blade edge to the hilt. I use a Morakniv Craftline Q Allround 510 Knife with 3.75-Inch Carbon Steel Blade for wood carving because it has a scandinavian grind to the hilt with little guard. I do not think a carving knife needs a guard at all for detailed work. You could make some great carving knives I bet. I am also looking at a japonese Hori-Hori Garden Digging KnifeI bet you could make that. Its for gardening and landscape. I dont know about the inch marks on it, might take some engraving? I havent ordered one yet but I think it is a fat, slightly bowed strong blade to use asa trowel, weed pryor, one side has teeth for cutting, sharp on the other side... might be a challenge for you.

Hi Walter, could you make a video about making a scandi ground bushcraft style knife? Greetings from Germany :)

K-bar makes a knife very similar to this knife, it's to small tho. I like this size much better