Dogwood Dan's knives....

Fletcher Knives

Fletcher Knives

STEEL BREATHING BLADE MAESTRO
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Well guys, I said at the beginning of Dan's apprenticeship that I was looking forward to seeing what he would start coming up with. His basics are coming along very well and he has a pretty nice little assortment of knives building up. I can certainly see his progress is coming along nicely. One knife he had in his stash that he broght to Trackrock this past weekend really caught my eye. I don't have a picture of it at the moment, but I'll try to snap a couple of it tomorrow or something.

It's a pretty good size knife with an 1/8" thick blade with a Scandi grind, black paper over what looks like thin natural canvas micarta handle scales, and white 1/4" pins. I have to say, the fit and finish on this knife turned out great, no glue lines, everything is shaped nice and even all the way around. Really a good job. I was pretty impressed with how good it came out. However, the really great construction wasn't the only thing that really grabbed me about this knife. The design itself resembles the old Navy and Airforce knives, also along the German AK bayo styling in a very vague sense. I really like all those blade shapes and handle lines, but had never found any of those that worked well and an actual knife. This knife has similar lines for that sexy appeal that those blade shapes had, but it actually is an extremely good knife.

Dan noticed me playing with that knife just about every chance I got and decided to hook a brother up. He told me to keep it. At first I told him, "you need to hang onto all these early knives and a cool record of your early days of knifemaking.", but after several drinks, I changed that tune and said, "ok... give me that damn knife." lol.

I couldn't resist seeing what kind of knife Dan could really make, so I immediately started beating the absolute crap out of it in front of him. I was jamming the blade tip into wood and drilling out chunks, batoning it through big ass pieces of firewood, basically stabbing, cutting, batoning, and levering everything in sight. Well not only can an 1/8" thick blade handle all of that stuff, despite what some people will tell you, but it also proved that Dan can make a damn fine knife. Heat treat and everything was spot on, just as I suspected it would be. The knife laughed at everything I threw at it. When I was done, I got out Andy's little Smith's double sided sharpener and gave it a half-minute touch up, and it was right back to shaving sharp.

You guys need to pay good attenting to Dogwood Dan's future in knifemaking. I think he's going to turn out no shortage of fine knives.

Thanks again broski. I gave it some pants today and it's still riding shotgun in the cargo pocket.
 
Dillon, that's kind of a scary "envisionment" knowing what condition you were in the next morning. Boy.....you worry me some.
They were good looking knives that felt good in the hand. Knife that doesn't feel good won't get used much. Glad you guys had such a good time at TR.
We figured out how to solve all the world problems around our campfire, but forgot to write them down. Tried to make a mental note but my stone chisel is dull.
 
crex said:
We figured out how to solve all the world problems around our campfire, but forgot to write them down. Tried to make a mental note but my stone chisel is dull.
Click to expand...
I'll have to remember that. hahahaha!
 
Dillon thank you for the kind words, I got such good feed back on that knife I named it (the marauder) and started a batch in o-1. Some with the handel you have and some with a countoured handle ( andy's influence ) I look forward to you checking them out
 
Come on Dylan. Where are the promised pics?? You said you had it riding shotgun, take it out and snap a pic man!
 
so Dillon will not show y,all a picture, well then I will. The one I gave him was a prototype but hear is some of what has evolved from those beginnings. as some one with big hands I am working on regular and a husky handle for those of use that need a little more to hold on to. I look forward to hearing what y'all think

Dan
 
Not bad Dan. Looks like you are defining yourself a bit more. Might add some dimensional reference to your pics or at least give measurements....helps us work out what we're looking at. Thanks for taking the time to post them.

Ready to start focusing on the smaller details now, like the transition area blade to choil. This will help define your asthetic lines more and make sharpening the entire length of the blade easier.
#3 looks a bit blocky in the handle, more so than the others (could be the camera angle).
And - this is just me, mind you - not a big fan of the short clip point. Rest of the blade cries "sticker" to me, but the clip gets in my visual way. Tends to make the back of the blade a bit too rigid looking and "stiff". A smooth drop to the point with a continued subtle curve from tip toward the butt has more "Curb Appeal" (again, to me).
Keep it going and keep practicing with the hammer and anvil - these are easy forgable designed pieces.
 
Carl as always thank you for your advice, I used a short clip point because a wanted the leverage of a clip point but wanted a fairly beffy blade, I do agree that a smoother curve is appealing to the eye. #3is very blocky think 80s east german bayonet. As you said I am still defining my self, and this is a snap shot of that evolution. I have a few more I am finishing this week and will post when I can use andy's light box.

The blades are 5" long by just under 1.5" wide the handles are 4.75" long and rang from 3/4" of an inch on the blocky one to 1 1/8" wide on my husky handels
 
Dan has made significant progress with this batch. These grinds are beginner grinds, but they are the real deal working tool grinds almost to a zero edge. Each of these is made of 01 and properly HT'd in a digital oven under my guidance. He has also mastered the order of the steps necessary to make knives now. This includes the HT steps, temps and process for properly HT'ing 01 steel. And finally, Dan came aboard with a lot of woodworking experience. His fit between the scales and steel is flawless as are the joints between layers. I'll say that this Marauder design is a good one too. There are things I would do differently, but the knife itself is a winner.

Carl talks above about your details, and how the piece flows. The flow of the piece and the details improving will make your knives much more sellable. Your grinds will never stop improving, the more you practice, the quicker they'll improve. Mine still improve. I think the best knife I've ever ground was in last weeks batch. (Recluse, Desert Ironwood)

Excellent batch. You need to get them into the Blade Forums users hands and get some users opinions.
 
Figgured he had the HTg thing going, with your guidance and shop access.
Yes....we are always improving or at least trying to. I'm no different, best part is at my age I get to learn "new"mthings over, and over, and over.......
Dan is definitely working hard and learning fast. I too, was impressed with his handle fits on the ones he brought to TR.
Needs to pick his best three to present to the Guild board (next month). They will be glad to look them over.
 
carl, something from my curvier side, it still has a blunt nose but hey look at the guy making them. Just becouse I am a newby knife maker and could not help my self it has transparent green liners:D. thank you for your time advice you have given me
 
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That one really came out nice Dan.
 
Wow Dan! Nice work my friend. That scandi looks really nice.
 
Great work, Dan. Keep up the good work as you progress. I'd purchase any one of those pieces!

I love the short clip point. You may have something here to consider as you define your style, or one of your styles- "Hybrid."

The best of both worlds (or multiple worlds), "Hybrid." :cool:
 
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