#6 camp knife, critiques requested (pic heavy)

PIndelicato

PIndelicato

Joined
Sep 16, 2002
Messages
1,577
I completed photographing my 6th knife (and 7th sheath) this morning, and I would like some critique on what people think of it, both good and bad. Anything at all is fair game: overall design, workmanship, fit/finish, choice of materials, leather work...anything at all that comes to mind is welcome. The size of this knife exceeds the capacity of both my makeshift lightbox and my art paper background, so please excuse it overrunning the edges of the paper and the overall quality of the photos...I'm going to get a real lightbox made sometime soon.

This blade fought me tooth and nail from start to finish, so it definitely has some flaws. I think it was my third or fourth blade to grind on my Craftsman 2x42 grinder sometime last year, and the first to have halfway decent (but not perfect) bevels and plunges. I used a makeshift file guide to help me there. There are some grinding flaws that I'm not sure show up well in the photos, but marks I was not able to completely remove during finishing.

Also, I ended up quenching it twice and had some pitting/decarb to deal with afterwards, so I spent many (and I mean many!) hours sanding and grinding everything out, and then getting out the deep scratches left from this process during hand sanding. Even the hand sanding took forever, probably going through $20 worth of abrasive paper in the process. Finally, when I removed the protective tape from the blade just before sharpening, I was treated to some rust and spotting on the ricasso and above the top grind line, which can be seen in some of the photos. Anyway, enough of my griping...here is the information about the knife:


Specs:

-1/8" O-1 steel
-Flat ground
-~10" OAL
-~5 1/2" from tip to front of scales
-~1 1/2" wide
-1/8" stainless pins
-black linen micarta scales, finished to 400x
-600x hand rubbed blade finish

Sheath: The victim...I mean recipient...of this gift knife is not a knife guy, so I tried to come up with something that he would like. He's an old college buddy of mine, so I carved a Purdue 'P' logo into it. I'm not particularly creative, so I would like to know what folks think of this both from a design and execution standpoint...ie, does it work or did it flop?

-8 oz Tandy mystery veg tanned leather
-Fiebing's Black Pro Oil dye w/ Tandy Satin Sheen top coat
-I have made several standard pouch sheaths, but this was a new design I tried this time. Therefore, I goofed some things, such as putting the snap too far towards the end of the strap.

Firsts for me:

-exposed butt
-lanyard slot (I did not make the lanyard, I happened to have it laying around and it matched the vulcanized liner material, so I threw it on.)
-red vulcanized liners (don't show up well in photos for some reason)

P1000572.jpg

P1000587.jpg

P1000586.jpg

P1000584.jpg

P1000565.jpg

P1000569.jpg

P1000575.jpg

P1000606.jpg

P1000613.jpg

P1000614.jpg


I'd be happy to take and post any additional photos if needed. Thanks in advance for your time and feedback!
 
I think it looks like a fine knife; well executed.

BTW. superb grinding on that 1/8" stock!
 
Outstanding! Good lines and balance. Very nice handle design.
I've been making knives since early '74 (a bit more than 400). My knives back then didn't look anywhere this nice.
 
6th knife! very inspiring I think it was an absolutely great job! Your "victim" is going to be very happy. If the knife is for a friend have him give you a quarter for it. According to custom , i.e. superstition never supposed to give a knife, so charge a coin,hehe.
 
A nice package overall.

My only suggestion concerns the edging on the sheath. The sheath is nicely done, but the edge does not demonstrate the same skill as the rest of your work. A good edging tool used after the stitching is complete adds much to the overall look of a sheath.
I follow the edging tool with a burnish of the entire edge. It is one area that experienced buyers look at closely.

Keep up the fine work, Fred
 
Thanks everyone for your nice comments and feedback so far...please keep it coming, especially things you don't like or see a need for improvement.

Fred.Rowe said:
A nice package overall.

My only suggestion concerns the edging on the sheath. The sheath is nicely done, but the edge does not demonstrate the same skill as the rest of your work. A good edging tool used after the stitching is complete adds much to the overall look of a sheath.
I follow the edging tool with a burnish of the entire edge. It is one area that experienced buyers look at closely.

Keep up the fine work, Fred
Click to expand...

Fred, thanks for your feedback regarding the edges on the sheath. Could you say more about specifically what you are seeing? I ask because I spend considerable time doing my edges and would hate to think I'm doing it wrong and wasting effort. I use an edger tool, burnish with water before dyeing, burnish with gum tragacanth post dyeing, etc. Here are a couple of closeups (again, sorry for the photo quality.) I'd appreciate hearing more about what I need to improve in this area.

P1000620.jpg

P1000619.jpg


The top edge has a little area that's not uniform...not sure if I did something to cause that (maybe burnishing when too wet) or what.

Thanks again!
 
Are you kidding me that knife is sweet, and the sheath is awesome too! Great job Paul. The finish on the handles and the blade look good, you can't hardly see the rust spots. Keep it up!
 
Paul,

#6, are you kidding me, that thing is well done indeed! Looks like a top end user grade.....made by anyone!

Nice Job Man!:thumbup:
 
Looks good! The only thing that jumps out at me is the exposed tang. I know some folks like that but you may want to keep in mind that if someone with hands larger than yours was to use this knife it may be uncomfortable.

As for the perdue "P" well it looks good at least. As long as your friend likes it thats all that matters.

Again, good job!
 
Paul,
I totally retract what i said about the lanyard color. Now that I can see the liner material I think its a nice touch !

FWIW- I'm still trying to figure out how I like the edge treatment on the leather.

Using the edge beveling tool then burnishing gives a nice looking edge which is what I did on my last sheath.

Using the belt sander to put a radius across the entire edge looks better IMO.

Perhaps a combination of both methods would be a good way to go. I'd also like to see Fred explain his style in a bit more detail.

Great Job and keep up the good work ! -Josh
 
I knew it. You asked for critisizm on a knife with no apparent problems. Nice work.
Actually the only thing I would change is the pommel. It looks like it could be rounded where it could bite into the heel of your hand. Again, Nice work.
 
Wow everyone, I'm feeling humbled by all the nice feedback and compliments :o, and I also really appreciate the feedback on things that need to be improved in the future.

The exposed tang came about by happenstance. As I mentioned above, I had ground this blank probably a good year ago, and when I started handling it again and thinking seriously about finishing it I realized the handle was way too long. A friend suggested I turn it into an exposed tang, and I thought why not give it a try (and I still had to cut some off.) I know it's not for everyone and I doubt I will make a habit of making the style.
 
P J 234 said:
Wow everyone, I'm feeling humbled by all the nice feedback and compliments :o, and I also really appreciate the feedback on things that need to be improved in the future.

The exposed tang came about by happenstance. As I mentioned above, I had ground this blank probably a good year ago, and when I started handling it again and thinking seriously about finishing it I realized the handle was way too long. A friend suggested I turn it into an exposed tang, and I thought why not give it a try (and I still had to cut some off.) I know it's not for everyone and I doubt I will make a habit of making the style.
Click to expand...

I like the exposed tang I simply think the top corner should be rounded some more. Besides that I wouldnt change a thing.
 
Paul:
Looking good from here, well done. I like the look and the red liners sets it off just right. Looks like it is chomping at the bit to cut something.
Cheers Ron.
 
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