[COLOR=#ff0000]pic heavy[/COLOR] so, i made a knife with Derrick Wulf. take a look.

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background: i signed up for bladeforums and immediately started asking a bunch of questions, looking for recommendations on a custom knife. Derrick chimes in with, "Come on out to the shop. We'll make one together and you can take it home with you." i mean...how cool is that. so, that's what i did.

This was an amazing experience that i still can't put into words. Derrick was a gracious host (Wulf on BF or visit dicksworkshop.com). i went out to his shop on four separate occasions. we started with a raw hunk of 1084 steel and i ended up with my very own custom knife. derrick was great. he is a fount of knowledge, but he explained it and then let me do pretty much everything on my own. i am a programmer. i sit behind a desk all day. this was definitely something different for me. honestly, i've been interested in blacksmiting most of my life. derrick let me experience all of it, while gently guiding me through the entire process. and, what a rewarding process it was.

i wish i had more photos to share. and, i wish i had a better memory. but, i will give you what i can.

beginning: handed a piece of steel. heat it up and start forging.

this was after forging. and some grinding. i believe this was when we were heat treating.

Post HT. Post anneal.

there was some concern after that the steel might not be good. it wasn't hardening like derrick expected. the files were still biting in. so, he sent me home with it and i tempered in my oven. 425 for an hour (times two). i sent it back so he could test it. he put an edge on it. he made sure to test it and make sure that it held an edge. ummm...he said, yup...it held an edge and it was sharp.

to be continued....

 

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ready to work on her a bit

derrick... my gracious host...i tried, but knew enough to let him grind the edge for me

derrick let me take the pick of the litter for handle scales. i was making a knife at dicks workshop in VT. so, how about some nice quilted maple from derricks woodpile? aligned it around the blade and cut it.

here's a better peek

we spent some late nights in the shop. one time, derrick was concerned that i might be a zombie so he hit me with the zombie smasher

to be continued....

 

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ok, so the handles are all glued up. hit it with the belt sander for some rough work. then, on to the files and then the sandpaper (220, 400, 600 progression)

admiring progess

yup. kinda looks like a knife.

to be continued....

 

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final pics

 

[jonnymac44]

Really cool! Looks like you had a great time and also learned a lot. Looking forward to the rest of the updates:thumbup:

 

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overall specs:
OAL: 8 1/2"
Blade: 4 1/4"
Handle: 4 1/4"
Blade Height: 1" at transition
Thickness: 5-6/32"

Can't say thanks enough to Derrick Wulf. i said it before and i'll say it again....what a gracious host. To bring a complete unknown newbie to his shop, taking his time, space and materials...unfathomable...just awesome. thanks derrick.

you can see some pics of derricks shop on dicksworkshop.com. he also has a great WIP thread on there with lots of pics.

 

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we are still planning on making a sheath. heading out on a fishing trip this week so D wanted me to have the knife for the trip. but, i had to assure him i would catch fish and filet them with my new knife, and get him pics. the pressure!!

 

[KYenglish]

Great to finally see it, looks like an amazing experience, and good luck on that fishin' trip!

 

[Wulf]

You did great, Todd. The knife came out real nice and you'll get a lifetime of use out of it before eventually handing it down to your son. I just wish we had remembered to stamp your initials in the blade before we went and heat treated it!

Guys I also have to say that this knife was done completely by Todd's hand. He clearly has some natural skill and I hardly touched it at all. It was his design and his handiwork that built this knife from the ground up and he can truly say it is his own. How's that for a "custome knife"?

Anyway, It was a lot of fun having him out in the shop, and the look of pride on his face when he first held the finished knife in his hand was just a wonderful sight to behold.

Looking forward to the next time Todd - we still need to give that blade a proper (leather) home!

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

Awesome thread, and it's always great to see yet more evidence of how generous and helpful the maker community is. Well done on your first blade!

 

[Dawkind]

That's one you'll have forever and it'll bring a smile to your face each and everytime that you use it....at least in my experience.

I've still got my first forged piece and it's just as bad now as it was then but it sure does cut well and that's what it's all about....good job I might add.

Derrick is a fine gentleman and you're lucky to be able to have him for a friend and mentor......let alone use his shop!

 

[Cwilliamson]

Amazing and so jealous...Thank you for sharing your experience.

Clark

 

[TPVT]

thanks guys for the kind words.

and derrick....thanks much my man. appreciate you saying so. qnd yeah...you bet i'm liking my "custom knife." for sure. looking forward to heading back and giving 'er some leather pants.