#7 Bird & Trout, looking for feedback/critique

PIndelicato

PIndelicato

Joined
Sep 16, 2002
Messages
1,577
This is my 7th completed knife to date and was to be my KITH knife this year, but unfortunately I discovered several problems with the handles after grinding to shape and finishing them, so sadly it looks like I will be waiting another year before I get to participate in all of the fun.

Aside from those issues (detailed in my other thread), I would still like to hear folks' opinions of the overall design. I tried some new things (dovetailed bolsters, mosaic pin, etc.), and a new (creative?) design this time, and I think I like it but maybe I've just been looking at it too long...how does that saying go, a face only a mother could love, or something like that? ;)

Design:

-I guess it's a 3.5 finger Bird & Trout or small EDC/all around knife?

Specs:

-1/8" O1, flat ground, 1500x hand rubbed
-cutting edge ~3"
-overall length <= 7"
-black linen micarta dovetailed bolsters
-Danish Oil finished natural box elder burl handles (thanks Ron!)
-stainless pins, mosaic, and thong tube

P1010486.jpg

P1010465.jpg

P1010474.jpg

P1010488.jpg

P1010489.jpg

P1010491.jpg


I'd appreciate hearing any opinions, likes, dislikes...anything at all. Thanks in advance for any input!
 
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Paul,

VERY NICE!!!! The combo in micarta and Burl give that handle some class! Really compliments the blade well.

Great work here Paul:thumbup:

45
 
Great work, PJ. I don't think there'd be any problem with entering that into the KITH. I'd be proud to receive it. I understand about sweating the little flaws, though.

--nathan
 
silver_pilate said:
Great work, PJ. I don't think there'd be any problem with entering that into the KITH. I'd be proud to receive it. I understand about sweating the little flaws, though.

--nathan
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It takes alot to perfect everything, I know my knives are not perfect but ive only just started a year ago my knives get better every month . Using new machines different belts better buffers, all those things add up and take time to learn especially when your only help could be internet help. THat knife is as good or better than the knife I made for KITH I hope I am not frowned upon my level of quality is not that of a master maker. You should enter and hold your head high. kellyw
 
I think it looks pretty nice. I can't see any major flaws, or really any minor ones, for that matter, from the pics. Nice color combinations and the blade looks nice. I wouldn't feel bad about owning that at all.
 
It is a very nice little knife. I think it is well done and a nice use of materials. That knife should make any one who owned it proud.
I have to think real hard to find any thing to critique. The only thing I see is I'd like the thong tube to be just a bit more centered, or nearer to the top of the handle, and that is strictly personnel preference.
 
Very nice knife. I wonder about the Danish oil finish tho. Sprinkle some water on it and let it sit for 15 minutes, is there an affect? The reason I ask is that I did a Danish finish on one of mine and water clouded the finish. Super glued it and it was fine.

Now I am no expert here so if others have input please educate me too
 
Thanks for all the nice feedback and comments everyone! I did not go out of my way in this post to point out and take close-ups of the flaws, but they are in my other post and are easily seen upon inspection. Even though I am a bit of a perfectionist, I was not expecting mastersmith quality work here, but these are flaws that were not evident on any of my prior knives all the way back to and including my very first one. Some aspects of this knife are my best work, but many others aren't and I don't feel right entering a knife that is not up to the standards of my current skill level...if that makes any sense. The suggestions on my other post were to re-do it, but I just don't think that's going to be realistic with everything else I have to get done before the holidays. I work at a snail's pace, so it's not a simple matter for me to start over.

Anyway, I appreciate the feedback and if there is anything anyone does not like about this knife I would like to hear those critiques as well.

Thanks again!
 
bikermikearchery said:
It is a very nice little knife. I think it is well done and a nice use of materials. That knife should make any one who owned it proud.
I have to think real hard to find any thing to critique. The only thing I see is I'd like the thong tube to be just a bit more centered, or nearer to the top of the handle, and that is strictly personnel preference.
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Thanks Mike. I was limited on what I was able to do with pin locations as I had not planned on bolsters originally, and this knife also was rounded in the butt (not like you see it now) back when I drilled my pin and tube holes and then lots of other holes to lighten the tang. This was about the best compromise I could come up with, and it's about center of where the handle used to be before I modified it.

MT Borg said:
Very nice knife. I wonder about the Danish oil finish tho. Sprinkle some water on it and let it sit for 15 minutes, is there an affect? The reason I ask is that I did a Danish finish on one of mine and water clouded the finish. Super glued it and it was fine.

Now I am no expert here so if others have input please educate me too
Click to expand...

That's a good question MT, and I don't know the answer. The gentleman who gave me the box elder has made lots of knives of natural woods with oil finishes, and he indicates that they have held up well but I have no personal experience to draw upon. Before taking up this hobby, about the only thing I did with my hands was roll a mouse around on a desk and type on a keyboard, so an experienced craftsman I am not!
 
Paul
My only suggestion would be to curve the butt of the knife inward just slightly.On a small knife like that it creates a nice place for the little finger to slip into and give you a better feel.
Still a good lookin knife.
Stan
 
Looks very nice, very clean. the handle looks kinda small but if it works for you then hey :thumbup:
 
Bird and trout are small knives.I really like your rendition! I even like the tong hole where it is. The pins and TH seem to be in line and graduated in diameter. Consider next time putting another pin half the distance between the
mosasic pin and the TH that is a diameter bigger than the pin and smaller than the Tong Hole, completing the graduated dia. theme.
Nice job.If I was in the KITH I'd have been very pleased to get yours !!!!
 
SBuzek said:
Paul
My only suggestion would be to curve the butt of the knife inward just slightly.On a small knife like that it creates a nice place for the little finger to slip into and give you a better feel.
Still a good lookin knife.
Stan
Click to expand...

Thanks Stan. Not wanting to overdo it, I ground the butt on my 10" wheel so the radius is not very apparent. If I were to do another of a similar style, I will try it on a smaller wheel for a more exaggerated curve.

Frank, Nebulae, and Tommegow, I appreciate your nice words and feedback on the design!
 
Bird & Trout Knives are my favorite. That is a super looking knife!!!:thumbup:
 
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