#6 Done... Please Comment/ Critique!

N

Nic.

Joined
Dec 8, 2014
Messages
814
Hey all! This is #6, scales are Hawiian Koa, pins are brass braising rod, and blade is acid etched table saw blade, yes, table saw blade. I heat treated and tempered it. I made it as a little patch knife for a friend, and I'm pretty happy with it! It's very sharp and seems to hold a good edge. I definately am still improving, and have more to go, but I'm loving making knives! Please give any critiques you have, it's a great way to learn!


 
How did you heat treat the blade? Do you know what steel the table saw blade was made from? The shape of the blade looks nice. The pictures make the point look a bit soft. I like the tip to come to a sharp point. The handle looks comfy but probably thicker than it needs to be. Perhaps taper the handle thinner towards the front next time with a slight bevel on the front so it flows into the blade a bit better rather than having such wide/square shoulders in front. That is a matter of personal taste though. I think it's a fine job.
 
Looks good for number 6 Nic. Don't be afraid to thin those handles out towards the front more. This might sound weird but when I shape a handle I close my eyes and pick up the knife and put it down throughout the process and let my fingers tell me where there not happy. That one might anger my thumb, forefinger, and middle finger. The swell in the end looks good for the handle length though.
 
i4Marc said:
How did you heat treat the blade? Do you know what steel the table saw blade was made from? The shape of the blade looks nice. The pictures make the point look a bit soft. I like the tip to come to a sharp point. The handle looks comfy but probably thicker than it needs to be. Perhaps taper the handle thinner towards the front next time with a slight bevel on the front so it flows into the blade a bit better rather than having such wide/square shoulders in front. That is a matter of personal taste though. I think it's a fine job.
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Heat treat is done by heating till past magnetic with a MAP torch, then quenching in motor oil. It's high carbon steel, but exactly what type I'm not sure. Thanks! About that tip, I slipped while shaping the scales and the belt sander thwacked off a chunk of the tip, I revived it the best I could. That seems to be a recurring critique is thin if the scales, so I will definately do on the next one. Thank you!
 
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lessismore said:
Looks good for number 6 Nic. Don't be afraid to thin those handles out towards the front more. This might sound weird but when I shape a handle I close my eyes and pick up the knife and put it down throughout the process and let my fingers tell me where there not happy. That one might anger my thumb, forefinger, and middle finger. The swell in the end looks good for the handle length though.
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Thanks! That doesn't sound odd at all, that actually makes a lot of sense. Thank you very much for the comments!
 
Nic.,

The tip can easily be repaired if you want a pointy tip. Just carefully sand the spine above the tip until you bring the point back. Of course you will blend the curve of the spine downward gently so it looks natural. It shouldn't take much sanding.
 
i4Marc said:
Nic.,

The tip can easily be repaired if you want a pointy tip. Just carefully sand the spine above the tip until you bring the point back. Of course you will blend the curve of the spine downward gently so it looks natural. It shouldn't take much sanding.
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Alright, thanks, appreciate that! I've done that before, I'll do it again:)!
 
Hey all! I want to a big Muzzleloading shoot today, and everyone loved that knife! I had 4 people ask for that knife, looks like I got some work to do! Thank you all for your feedback, more is welcome!
 
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