file knife for my mom

Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Messages
142
just finished up a file knife for my mom, she has been wanting one since i began this journey, finally getting around to it
specs
Nicholson File
8 inches overall length
osage orange or as we call it bois d'arc scales
1 1/8 inch height
3 1/2 inch cutting edge
thank you
crawdaddy

















 
I think you could put more curve in your handles.

The dark circles around the pins mean that they got hot enough to burn the glue / wood

The file work on that spine leave a gap the will collect goop
 
The file work on that spine leave a gap the will collect goop

I was curious about this, but have seen it on other knives; is it usually considered best practice to discontinue the file work somewhere prior to the scales then? Or maybe just decrease the relief in that area?
 
I think you could put more curve in your handles.

The dark circles around the pins mean that they got hot enough to burn the glue / wood

The file work on that spine leave a gap the will collect goop

more curve in the handle, check
try to keep the pins coolers when cutting off, check
not sure what i am supposed to do with the gap. i thought it was supposed to be open ? suggestions
thank you for the feedback
 
I was curious about this, but have seen it on other knives; is it usually considered best practice to discontinue the file work somewhere prior to the scales then? Or maybe just decrease the relief in that area?

i decreased, or did not cut as deep on the sides when i got to the scales. i have no idea if that is the right way to do it or not, the other guy said not, so i have no idea. i did it this way cause when i did it that is how i thought it was supposed to be done...

thanks
 
not sure what i am supposed to do with the gap. i thought it was supposed to be open ? suggestions

You can darken epoxy with epoxy pigment, indian ink, graphite, or colored chalk and use the colored epoxy to fill in the gaps, then sand it smooth.
 
You can darken epoxy with epoxy pigment, indian ink, graphite, or colored chalk and use the colored epoxy to fill in the gaps, then sand it smooth.

kind of like using liners, i get to play with some colors,,, hhhmmm interesting idea. not doing anymore mirror finishes or file work for a while, but i will chew on that for the next one
 
How'd you do the nice mirror finish, Crawdaddy?

hey and thanks, the way i do it is just a lot of hand sanding, then buffing and then sanding and then buffing, and repeat, took me about 60 hours to make that one, i am slow, i'm sure there are other guys who can do it faster. but thank you .
 
paint store can likely sell you universal tint. The hardware Hank by me sells it for 35 cents an ounce. I used it with gflex epoxy and I worked great with just a drop or two to get jet black. Epoxy seemed to cure normally as well on a test blob I did prior to using it on a knife.
 
paint store can likely sell you universal tint. The hardware Hank by me sells it for 35 cents an ounce. I used it with gflex epoxy and I worked great with just a drop or two to get jet black. Epoxy seemed to cure normally as well on a test blob I did prior to using it on a knife.

thanks for the heads up on that, i am def going to be experimenting with this in the future :)
 
Looks pretty nice. I am sure Mom will like it.....which is what is the most important thing.

Tip on photography:
Notice how the photos with just the green felt look clearer than the ones with the computer and workbench in the background? That is because the human eye and brain take everything in the field of view and scan the background first, then looks at the object of interest. It is an evolutionary thing that looks for danger before looking for food. If you get a piece of plain color cloth, about 2X3 feet, and drape it over your computer and down on the table, it will make a "backdrop" and surface to set the knife on and provide a non-distracting background for your photos. The viewer will only pay attention to the knife in the photo that way. Crop the photo to only show the backdrop if needed. You want a color in the central vision range - blue or green ( the eye sees these best). A neutral gray also works. You can usually get a yard of cloth for a few bucks at the piece goods store ( sewing shop).




BTW, you should put your state and city in your profile. I am guessing Louisiana from your user name, but it is good to know roughly where someone is. It helps with offers of assistance as well as concern over weather, fires, and natural disasters.
 
Back
Top