Finally, finished my first knife...

[bkstabler]

Well, it's been a busy year. I started knife-making last Winter with many interruptions, and then my wife and I had our first child in February. I took about 8 months off from knifemaking after we had the baby, and now I'm finally back into it full swing. I was trying to finish 2 knives as Christmas presents for my dad and brother, but only ended up finishing the one for my dad. . Didn't get a perfect polish and still had a little bit of fine tuning to do, but this knife should see some hard use, so I'm not too stressed about the finish. I realize it's not perfect, but your comments and suggestions are appreciated.

It's a skinner in 1084 with mesquite scales and mosaic pins:

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232fp54399>nu=4555>863>634>WSNRCG=35;5:453<3348nu0mrj

 

[sooner7nc]

That's a very nice first blade. My first one looked like dookie compared to that. Good job.

 

[bkstabler]

Thanks, it's my 1st "finished" piece. I ruined about 7-8 blades leading up to this one, haha. Working on a bone handled hunting/fishing knife for my brother right now. My whole shop smells like I've been smoking cigarettes full of human hair. That stuff stinks!

 

[miden]

That is a good looking knife. Don't stress that you couldn't finish your brothers and your dads, at least you got the one for the old man done, gotta take care of the Dad first
My one son recently welcomed another daughter into the family and I know, time gets limited when the little people arrive, good thing you got your priorities right.
If you anticipate the knife will see some hard use, all the better, let the old man use it and abuse it, that way you will find out what to improve on with the next one...and you get to feel proud if it can take the abuse and you get a slap of approval on the shoulder from your Dad.
Keep it up, and have fun. I am sure the other guys on this forum will also tell you that having fun with this is verrrry important.

Mike

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Good job.
One thing that shows you were paying attention when assembling is that you "clocked" the rivets ( make them face the same way). This is a commonly missed thing in first knives.

Since you've been around for a year and a half, you probably have read this before, -
Filling out your profile will help you out in many ways. Age, location, occupation, interests, etc. all help people tailor answers and comments, as well as provide offers.

Here is a tip for the next knife.
Take a look at this one. Notice how the whole knife has a slight curve upward from the butt to the tip ( it looks that way in the photos, anyway).
On the next one, make that slight curve a downward curve. It only needs to be ever so slight to affect not only the look, but the use.

It is probably personal preference, but I prefer the lanyard hole to be on the lower portion of the butt, and moved farther from the edge. Usually, unless someone requests a lanyard, I do not put one in at all.

 

[jll346]

Very nice work.

 

[bkstabler]

Good job.
One thing that shows you were paying attention when assembling is that you "clocked" the rivets ( make them face the same way). This is a commonly missed thing in first knives.

Since you've been around for a year and a half, you probably have read this before, -
Filling out your profile will help you out in many ways. Age, location, occupation, interests, etc. all help people tailor answers and comments, as well as provide offers.

Here is a tip for the next knife.
Take a look at this one. Notice how the whole knife has a slight curve upward from the butt to the tip ( it looks that way in the photos, anyway).
On the next one, make that slight curve a downward curve. It only needs to be ever so slight to affect not only the look, but the use.

It is probably personal preference, but I prefer the lanyard hole to be on the lower portion of the butt, and moved farther from the edge. Usually, unless someone requests a lanyard, I do not put one in at all.

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, you're right, for skinning purposes I think a slightly more downward slope would be beneficial. Now time to restock on supplies and get to work on #2!