EARLY knife content

[stephanfowler]

I apologize if this thread was only meant for real makers!

I think you qualify, we ALWAYS have more to learn

 

[Brad Singley]

Nick, Great thread. I can't post pics because I'm here at the fire station today. Unlike most people I enjoy looking at some of my early work, not because it looks good but because it shows some improvement over time.
It it easy for me to forget that I had to ask Joel Chamblin "How do you hand sand a blade? This journey into bladesmithing reminds me of a ladder, we are all on it just at different rungs, some below and some above. Never forget to reach out to those below you and look up from time to time and enjoy the view! Just rambling.

Brad

 

[G. Shahan]

This is my first. don't laugh too hard. It's a bad pic also.
I just posted number thirty seven on the makers gallery. Take a look if you have time.

Greg

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

Here is my first:

Second:

And the rest that I made for my wedding last July (bad pic):

Now maybe other new makers won't be scared (these are all that I have finished).

 

[TekSec]

Here's # 5 or 6 for me. Buddy wanted a bowie style. I've improved a little since then. That was about 2 years ago.

 

[Danbo]

other than being marked in the most goofy place possible, i kinda like it!

My first thoughts, exactly!


Nick, you were born to make knives. :thumbup:

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

Great post Nick ! You are way too modest , that knife is darn nice , be it #10 , #100 or #500 !!

I still have my first knife I made , 01 steel , micarta handle. Though about reshaping the handle but I left it the way I finished it , just to remind me of finishing that first knife. I also saved the first S30v knife I finished ( was knife #15 if I recall ).

It's a craft where one can always learn something new , or in my case , what not to do !

 

[Rusty McDonald]

Then

Now

 

[ddavelarsen]

Okay you guys, I'll bite. I love these "first knife" threads.

Here's my first knife:

That was made from 1/4" 440C, heat treated by TKS, has ebony handles. What I really wish is that I had a picture of the first knife I ever posted here! Oh my heavens... That would give you a real laugh. A buddy of mine bought the knife so I still see it once in a while - you cannot imagine how embarrassed I am when I see how blocky and stupid that knife looks. But I sure thought I was cool. Perhaps I can get a picture of it this weekend and show you what I mean; it is frightening!!!

While the knives I make now are somewhat better, like everyone else I sure know how much farther I have to go, and I wonder if my work will ever satisfy me. I hope not, frankly. I look at work like those of other makers above, and Nick's early knife and I realize that a) we all start somewhere and b) if we continue, we all grow. What's really cool is that we all know how much work each one of those knives represents. I'm awed.

I'm making a conscientious effort to improve some specific aspects of my work, and when I get those things figured out I know there will be other things that I'll see to work on. It is like Nick says, the more you learn the more you can learn. Actually Nick said the more he learns the more he knows he has to learn (if I may paraphrase), but in practice what that means is that it's a progressive skill, that the abilities are built on experience. While self-criticism is valuable, it isn't nearly as valuable as the guidance I've received from the makers here. I can honestly attribute any improvement I've made over the years to all you guys, which I trust will continue. Thanks for all you do.

 

[mdoyle]

Here's my first. The knife actually isn't as bad as the pic
Boxelder/ebony and a piece of Craig Barr damascus
I remember I had just purchased a grizzly but was scared to use it on it so I opted for files and sandpaper. The grizzly's been gone a while, and there's a KMG in it's place, but I still go back to the files and sandpaper occasionally...
Matt Doyle

 

[Will Leavitt]

Really cool thread.... I've got to somehow figure out a way to get over to my former father-in-laws and either buy, trade or just get a picture of my first knife like object. I remember it was Hartsfield inspired with cocobolo scales and I think brass bolsters. It was 1095 handrubbed to like 1200x or something insane for a beginner.

 

[ddavelarsen]

Here's my first. The knife actually isn't as bad as the pic
Boxelder/ebony and a piece of Craig Barr damascus
I remember I had just purchased a grizzly but was scared to use it on it so I opted for files and sandpaper. The grizzly's been gone a while, and there's a KMG in it's place, but I still go back to the files and sandpaper occasionally...
Matt Doyle

Holy crap! Man I love it when people step up to the plate like that on their first knife! :thumbup: I still don't have the stones to use damascus very often, and sure hesitate to commit such a beautiful piece of wood. You made bolsters and all! And spaced your pins nicely - you even oriented them right. Thumbup dude.

 

[blgoode]

This isnt my first knife but it is my forst Companion and SideKick and first 2 Bolsters I made. Will these 2 count?

 

[T.A.DAVISON]

After making fixed blade knives for almost 25 years, here are my first two slip-joints.
Laugh at them if you like? I do....
I've made over 450 of them now, and have learned a little bit since these.

Cool thread Nick - :thumbup:

Todd

Folder - #1
Stag
ATS34??
Nickel Silver
Closed - 4 1/8''
NO half stop
Pivot pin shows. :grumpy:
Scales cracked. :grumpy:
Walk & Talk - SUCKED!!!

Folder - #2
Aoudad Horn
D2 steel
Nickel Silver
Closed - 4 1/8''
NO half stop
Pivot pin shows:grumpy:
Walk & Talk - so - so?

.

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

Picts of the first one I ever made...Hollow ground 01 with black/green micarta
Cant find the picts of when it was just finished , these were taken after it had been used quite a bit... still gets used.

 

[Bigfattyt]

My first knife. I used some cheap files, a mini hack saw and sand paper. I had to drill the handle pins with a hand crank drill, because my second hand drill crapped out. I don't have a vice. I just have some c clamps and a board on two folding sawhorses.

Top one, size comparison with a 3 inch edc

my high tech tools.

I convexed the edges, including the front. The grinds looked much cleaner and straighter before the convexing.

I heat treated this piece of 5160 in my hibachi grill, with lump charcoal, with a fan for air, and a magnet to check for non magnetic. I quenched in old synthetic race motorcycle oil and tempered 2x in my oven.