Added some G10 to a few knife blanks over Thanksgiving break. Pics!

[BenY 2013]

So I am a college student scraping my way through school, working towards my Mechanical Engineering degree. Money is tight and at the moment I'm not working. I've always had a passion for building things and knife making has always been one that has always fascinated me. I have made my own from scratch before, however now with less and less access to my shop I have had to resort to buying knife blanks to make the few that I have. This is just a hobby at the moment that actually makes a few extra bucks here and there. Anyhow I made several over the recent break and would love some feedback from you guys who actually know what you are doing.

One thing I do need help with. The area right behind the edge opposite of the spine. The bottom of the knife where my belt grinder won't reach(I have no idea the technical term). I had to shape the G10 there with a round file and nicked the metal in a few places. It left some scratches that I would like to remove. What would be the best way to do that without changing the finish over the entire blade? My thoughts now are hitting it with sandpaper course and then moving to less so. Thought would be greatly appreciated!

So this summer I decided to order a few knife blanks and add handles to them. One of the buyers decided he wanted 5 more so I got on it and decided to take a few picture along the way. Enjoy!

Here I am epoxying the g10 liners to the g10 scales. I sanded them lightly for the epoxy to get a better grip and put weight on top of them while they dried.

He wanted 2 of the blades slightly different from the original blade blank. Here I and grinding, very slowly. One pass on the grinder and then a dip into the water bucket. Didn't want to upset the heat treat.

Now tracing the handles onto the scales ready for the bandsaw to cut them out.

Pin holes drilled and shaping has started. I like to contour the very front of the handle first so I don't have to worry with it once they are epoxied to the steel.

Epoxied on now serious dust flying through the air.

Here I am adding the handle pattern which makes for some serious grip.

Time for the Kydex.

All cleaned up. The orange one is by far my favorite. May have to order some more material and make me another like it.

Hope you enjoyed looking. Sorry the pictures are so big.. Let me know what you guys think!



Ben

 

[Ryan J]

So I am a college student scraping my way through school, working towards my Mechanical Engineering degree. Money is tight and at the moment I'm not working. I've always had a passion for building things and knife making has always been one that has always fascinated me. I have made my own from scratch before, however now with less and less access to my shop I have had to resort to buying knife blanks to make the few that I have. This is just a hobby at the moment that actually makes a few extra bucks here and there. Anyhow I made several over the recent break and would love some feedback from you guys who actually know what you are doing.

One thing I do need help with. The area right behind the edge opposite of the spine. The bottom of the knife where my belt grinder won't reach(I have no idea the technical term). I had to shape the G10 there with a round file and nicked the metal in a few places. It left some scratches that I would like to remove. What would be the best way to do that without changing the finish over the entire blade? My thoughts now are hitting it with sandpaper course and then moving to less so. Thought would be greatly appreciated!

So this summer I decided to order a few knife blanks and add handles to them. One of the buyers decided he wanted 5 more so I got on it and decided to take a few picture along the way. Enjoy!

Here I am epoxying the g10 liners to the g10 scales. I sanded them lightly for the epoxy to get a better grip and put weight on top of them while they dried.

He wanted 2 of the blades slightly different from the original blade blank. Here I and grinding, very slowly. One pass on the grinder and then a dip into the water bucket. Didn't want to upset the heat treat.

Now tracing the handles onto the scales ready for the bandsaw to cut them out.

Pin holes drilled and shaping has started. I like to contour the very front of the handle first so I don't have to worry with it once they are epoxied to the steel.

Epoxied on now serious dust flying through the air.

Here I am adding the handle pattern which makes for some serious grip.

Time for the Kydex.

All cleaned up. The orange one is by far my favorite. May have to order some more material and make me another like it.

Hope you enjoyed looking. Sorry the pictures are so big.. Let me know what you guys think!



Ben

I'll reply since no one else has yet. Not exactly sure what your referring to having trouble finishing, but it sounds like the front of the scale? I finish the front of the scale before putting it on the knife. Nearly impossible once it's on there. Lately this is the process I've been using:

1. Cut out scales and drill holes through tang and scales
2. Temporarily pin scales on and use belt grinder to fit scales to tang.
3. Remove scales, do file work on tang.
4. Stick scales together with double sided tape and grind in any patterns. Doing it like this keeps me from accidentally nicking my file work. Careful not to touch the outer perimeter of scales.
5. Assemble everything.

That's the process I use so far. Having the scales attached together helps to keep them symmetrical as well. I'm no expert yet but this works for me. I use 3m double sided permanent carpet tape because it's the best I've found, but it takes acetone to remove it. Maybe bolting the scales together would be a better option, but I like not having the fasteners in the way. Nice looking scales BTW. I also like to extend the pattern of the scale onto the pins. I think it's a nice detail. And I'm envious of your career path. Engineering has always intrigued me as I love building things.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

After rough cutting out the scales, I drill the scales to fit the tang, place them together, and then stick in the pins. I tape them together and finish the front so it is shaped and polished. Then I glue them on the tang and finish as normal.

 

[frankysp]

Love that orange one what do you sell them for

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Frankysp,
Registered users can not discuss any sales topics. You should know that by now, as well as not to ask him in Shop Talk.
Please delete the question, please.

 

[BenY 2013]

I appreciate the feedback guys. I do finish up the front before I epoxy them on. The scratches I was talking about finishing up are actually on the metal. Opposite of the spine. I think I'll just used sand paper to get them gone, it's too small an are for me to get my grinder into. The orange one is by far my favorite as well.

Ben

 

[Ryan J]

I appreciate the feedback guys. I do finish up the front before I epoxy them on. The scratches I was talking about finishing up are actually on the metal. Opposite of the spine. I think I'll just used sand paper to get them gone, it's too small an are for me to get my grinder into. The orange one is by far my favorite as well.

Ben

Oh I see. The finger groove? A lot of guys use a contact wheel. I don't have one. I use a dremel sanding drum. But not the drums it comes with, they're a very low grit. I stick my own paper to the rubber drum with that same double sided tape. I like it because I can work through the grits to 2k. I finish the whole spine like that. Cut strips of sand paper and wrap it around the same direction as rotation. Or wrap sandpaper around a dowel or tape it to it.

 

[frankysp]

Gimme a break for one thing I did not know the rules for another thing actually I was only expressing my admiration for the colorful knife

 

[JG Custom Metal Works]

Gimme a break for one thing I did not know the rules for another thing actually I was only expressing my admiration for the colorful knife

It's my understanding that's why Stacy let you know THE RULE. You were not JUST expressing admiration, you were asking about the price. He DID give you a break by not banning or suspending your account right off the bat.

To the OP, if the scratches aren't too deep you could just wrap some sandpaper around a dowel and go to it by hand. A Dremel with a drum sanding bit could work too but don't put too much pressure on it. Those rubber drums are a little soft sometimes and the smoosh over the tang and grind the scales back so they're not even with the tang.

 

[Enkrig]

Those really look nice indeed. If you don't mind me asking, how thick are the g10 handle slabs that you used?

 

[Enkrig]

Also, how thick are the liners that you used?

I'm asking because I have a knife that's I'll be making an handle for and, having only done one other knife before (with no liners and starting from 3/8" slabs), I'll looking for some points of reference.