Do I have to anneal it again?

[schmittie]

Hello everybody. I'm here because I'm obsessed with knives like the rest of you. Recently I read an article on how to make a knife out of an old file. Since I'm a novice, but still really wanted to make my own knife, I thought it would be best to start with a knife blank before I jumped I attempted anything more complicated.
I purchased a blank made of Carbon V Steel and modified it slightly. I built a makeshift forge, which worked really well, heated up the blade to a nonmagnetic orange and quenched in old motor oil. When cooled, I tempered it. I made the handle, a hidden tang, out of some old hardwood oak. I really like how the handle turned out but being my first attempt, there are things I would like to have done differently. The blade could be a little shorter, handle a little longer. I found a source of curly maple and would rather have the handle made of it. Oh well, it was a first try.
My real question is, if I am going to modify the blade to a shorter design, do I have to strip off the handle and anneal it again? Or should I just start with new steel?

Thanks for your help!! You certainly know more than me!

 

[markv]

start anew.
keep the first knife.
you are headed in the right direction
you might want to try modifying an old butcher knife
buzz

 

[Will Leavitt]

If you fill out your profile to include where you're at it'd be really helpful. There may be a maker nearby that would help you out.