crazy, dedicated, stupid passionate, all four?

NickWheeler

NickWheeler

Joined
Dec 3, 1999
Messages
9,437
So what do you call it when the Blade show is two weeks away, you are wrapping up a big bowie as a Js test knife... That is to say, it's completely ground, hand-sanded to 600X, guard/ferrule are fit and completely finished, and you are hand sanding the handle....

And you decided it doesn't feel quite right in the hand so you walk up to the grinder with a 60X belt and proceed to take 0.010" off per side to increase the distal taper???

I guess it doesn't matter what the answer is exactly, because whichever one it is, I am that! :o

Roger, you will thank me later ;)
 
I would call that an "everyday occurence" in my shop. But then again, I am not trying to make money at this game, nor am I testing for JS. If I am still doing it at that time, then I will call it "paranoia":D
 
how bout just simply , the creation of another Wheeler purfect blade :)

or were you grinding that during the season final of American Idol ? ;)
 
I would call good judgement and good old knifemaking talent. You could obviously feel it needed something.
 
I call it yet another example of why Nick Wheeler is one of my favorite knifemakers. Your maniacal attention to detail is what puts you above a lot of makers out there. :thumbup:
 
Ahhhh, finally done with that crap ;)

The blade is 0.230" at the ricasso. At 2" out it from the guard it was 0.220", at 4" out it was 0.200", and at 6" out it was 0.180"

So it did indeed taper. I forged it in so it better :) But at 2" wide, it was heavy.

I am more the kind of guy that likes to have somebody pick a knife up off the table and say, "Man, that's a surprise, I thought this thing was going to be a big clunker." Than, "Yea, that sucker has some heft!!!"

Unless maybe it's a big 'ol camp knife that chops better with heft.

Now the blade is still 0.230 at the ricasso, but it's 0.205" at 2" out, 0.175" at 4," and 0.155" at 6" out.

I would not want to be on the pointy end of this one ;)

I wish I would have weighed it before I started grinding on it.

Oh, and no Wylie, AI wasn't on, but I was busy listening to the backstreet boys! :p ;)
 
Being a perfectionist is both a blessing and a curse. No doubt the knife will have improved feel as a result of your efforts, and no doubt I will thank you. That Southwest is a beautiful beast.

Roger
 
Well there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that when Nick decides " OK - that is it - done" that it will be RIGHT in every aspect. Nick has to be the most painstaking maker I know and it is a pleasure to count him as one of my friends. I also know in my own mind that his work will help to to increase the skills required to atain JS status.
 
Thanks guys.

Bill, you put a great big smile on my face buddy. I definitely needed that!

I just figured I would add to this thread and say that I was final sanding the handle with 320x and noticed a spec. The spec turned out to be a natural void. The void got bigger.

The void turned out to be about 5/16" across, 1/8" wide, and 1/4" deep.

Super glue won't fix that.

So... there went that handle!!!

Gosh Damn-it!!!!! :(

Damn, other than beat it with a hammer and stick it in fire many, many times... I'm not sure what I ever did to this knife for it to dislike me so much! ;)
 
Wow - big voids in blackwood are not that common. Sticking with that handle material or going for something else?

Roger
 
Nick it is just one of those knives that wants to fight you every step of the way. You just have to make it do what you want it to, of course that usually involves teeth nashing, swearing, and other things, like beer. The funny thing is, is that those knives usually turn out to be the best ones. I agree with Roger that is strange to find a void like that in blackwood, but I have destroyed my share of handles. I look forward to seeing this knife at the show and to meeting you in person. Oh and congratulating you on your JS.
HAve a good one and show that knife who is boss.

Brion Tomberlin
 
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