Advice on first knife completed

T

travis551

Joined
Feb 12, 2014
Messages
34
I finally was able to make and complete my first knife! It's a little rough and not nearly as nice as most of the knives posted here. Please let me know what you think. I still need to do a bit of finish sanding..... I am proud of it but know I can do A LOT better in the future. I have some 1095 bar stock from Aldo being shipped to my house so I will get more practice as I make more. Also I tried to use some purple heart as scales, its difficult wood to work with, but I haven't really done any wood working so I don't have anything to compare it to. Give me some constructive criticism.

newpics081_zpsf178d30f.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
newpics080_zps6902c039.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
newpics079_zps2185aa86.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
newpics076_zpsc58cc6b5.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
newpics074_zps00f8fac9.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
newpics085_zps0bb7b836.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
Travis, Were in Salem do you live? I am on the outskirts of town just off hwy 22. Anyway, for your first knife it looks pretty good. It is however a little dangerous in that the swell is so gradual with no difference transitioning from handle to blade. If you are just slicing it will be fine but any push cuts or stabbing will be scary.

Yes purple heart can be a pain to finish right. Take your time and leave a little extra material to sand off by hand. If you take some more time to clean up the spine of the handle and a little more attention to detail will make it much better.

Now what kind of steel did you use? If you have any questions or would like to visit my shop you can get my contact info off my website. Take Care
 
Travis,
Like AC said you have done well for a first Bushy knife. There is some room for improvement like a index finger cutout would help greatly with the problem mentioned and give you the ability to index the knife by feel.

I wholeheartedly suggest that you take AC up on his offer to come by his shop. It can save you loads on the learning curve and I have made excellent friends that way as well!
 
I plan on using the knife as a hunting/skinning knife the blade may be a little thick for that purpose but I think it will work well. I will for sure be careful! I would absolutely love to get some hands on teaching. I know I have a ton to learn and wish to improve my tool inventory. Right now I only have a 1x30 belt sander and a drill press with a slightly bent shaft lol. I live about 30 minutes from you Mr Richards, but I work just down the road from you. If you really are willing to donate some of your valuable time in teaching me I would greatly appreciate it! I will for sure clean up the spine and I am going to do more sanding and put more layers of finish on the wood. Thanks
 
travis551 said:
I plan on using the knife as a hunting/skinning knife
Click to expand...

I would really like to advise you against this, I have shot and skinned more animals than I can count, and one thing is for sure when you gut your animal your hands will be covered in blood and very slippery, skinning a deer is also a very slippery ordeal, The fat and blood that is between the skin and carcass is like wet grease, I can just see your hand slipping and you giving yourself a nice deep cut on your index finger

Not too shabby for a first knife ;0)
 
Last edited:
well shoot I guess I should have thought a little further into the safety of the knife before I made it. Maybe I will just use it as an everyday slicer once a figure out how to make a sheath for it.
 
yah put a finger groove in it and it will make a good edc, It looks like a good stout blade you can get some work out of it ;0)
 
Can also do a better mod and remake it. Pull handle slabs of and make it a hidden/stick tang. I would be happy to have you over some time. I can give you a few pointers and you can see what I do anyway. We can work out a teaching arrangement if you desire.
 
If you don't re handle the blade with a hidden tang, put a lower grove for your forefinger and an upper grove for your thumb. I think this is important as the tapered handle does not give you much grip for a draw cut.

Also, what type of steel did you use???
 
travis551 said:
well shoot I guess I should have thought a little further into the safety of the knife before I made it. Maybe I will just use it as an everyday slicer once a figure out how to make a sheath for it.
Click to expand...

Yeah having the edge so close to the handle would scare me a bit field dressing deer with it. Nice first knife though. The best thing about making your first knife is you proved to yourself you can do it. Now go make more and you can design them for whatever specific task you want it for.
 
As it was my first knife I used an old file I annealed. I am assuming its 1095. I only used the unknown metal just to practice and get the hands on experience.... Like I said earlier I ordered a chunk of 1095 from Aldo to work on. As soon as I can I would LOVE to come to your shop and learn some from you! between all the homework and junk I am doing right now I am itching to get back on my little grinder and produce something better :D I look at all the beautiful and hand made knives on here and am SO impressed I aspire to one day be able to make quality knives...and sheathes I have seen some that are functional works of art!
 
Last edited:
Drop me a line when your ready. Email was sent a few mins ago. Take care and good luck at the academy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top