New to knife making. First knife.

[NewEngland1987]

This is my first knife. let me know what you think.
[IMG][/IMG]

[nativejim]

looks good! what type of steel did ya use? also what's the overall, handle and blade length?

[mgysgthath]

That looks pretty good for a first knife! What did you make it with? Some particulars on it? Steel, HT, handle material etc?

Welcome to the forum!

[Indianbladenoob]

That is pretty damn good. I am in the middle of making my first one too. Hope it turns out half as good

[NewEngland1987]

Thanks everyone for the compliments. Its 1080 steel. .250 thick. Used a hand grinder and a 4x6 bench grinder to cut and shape. Overall length is 8.5in and blade length is 4in. Handle is white birch with danish oil. as for heat treat I made a forge in my backyard. Nothing fancy. Trying to keep the price low. My next step is to shine the handle and make a leather sheath for it. Then see how well it works!

[bladsmth]

Welcome to Shop Talk

I think it is a very good knife.

Some areas that could be worked on next knife:
Thickness - 1/4" is really THICK. .125 to .135 would work much better.
Finish - While the mustard patina is popular, a good satin finish at 1000 grit will show more skill, and look professional.

What I wouldn't change:
Fit and finish is very good.
Handle shaping - You totally avoided the dreaded "Blocky handle Syndrome" (BHS).
Overall size and shape - This is a good general user shape and size. An inch smaller and it would be a good EDC, and inch longer and it would be a good Bushcraft knife.
Lanyard hole - Moving the lanyard hole out of the handle is a good design element. Harder to do, but more efficient. You did it well.

Now, fill out your profile, and get started on another.

[AVigil]

Looks good!

The nice thing about making a custom knife is you get to make it as thick you as want and put the kind of finish on it you want. You are off to a good start.

[NewEngland1987]

Thanks bladsmith. I appreciate the recommendations. I will definitely not use 1/4. It took a long time to cut and shape. I tried the satin finish and it did show to many of the imperfections. Once my skills get better and I get some better tools they will be nice and shiny. Cant wait to start the next one!