Figured out a couple of things.

[JamesBro]

One is take your pictures outside.....much easier to get a decent shot.
Two is if you forget to drill a tang hole before HT, its much easier to make a little notch for the pin.

440c, about 10 inches, handle is elk. Any comments always needed.

Not sure if this is the place but my 25 year old 1 x 30 sander died and if anyone local needs about 10 new belts and your local to N Cal east bay area, Free P/U.
James

 

[Rick Marchand]

One is take your pictures outside.....much easier to get a decent shot.

Right on. Overcast days are the best... if not, try sticking to shade. Also try using a black background to reflect off the blade. The first photo is reflecting the overcast sky back at the lens. It white-washes out any attributes (hamon, etching, etc) and changes the whole exposure of the picture. Notice how the brown in the handle is more "brown" in the second pic. All I did was have my wife hold a black sweater such that the lens catches the reflection of it rather than the sky/light.

Two is if you forget to drill a tang hole before HT, its much easier to make a little notch for the pin.

Ever consider tempering the area to be drilled? A neat little trick is to heat up a small block or piece of round stock to red hot... then lay it on the spot you intend to drill. I have used an old ballpeen head in the past.

 

[JamesBro]

Thanks, I'll try that. Would it work different on air hardened VS oil quenched steel? I guess I could also insulate the blade and use a propane torch. The carbide bits from local HW stores are not very good.
James

 

[Rick Marchand]

I have done it with A2, D2 and S7. The piece of steel has to have some mass to it and you may need to repeat the process a few times.