Finally getting it?

J

Jason Fry

Joined
Jun 5, 2008
Messages
3,224
I'm finally starting to get the feeling like I'm "getting it." I suppose it started a month or so ago when I had my first dis-satisfied customer after twenty or so sales. I hated it. Somehow between that experience and another customer who challenged me to make an "exhibition quality" knife, my last few knives have made it to another level. I started making knives around Memorial Day last year, and this one is number 51. Maybe if I was smarter, or had some local mentors instead of just you guys online, I'd have made more progress by now, but either way, I'm proud of this knife. Only mistakes I made is the slight burn you'll notice on the front pin, and forgetting to turn the mosaic pin straight.
100_2411-1024x682.jpg

Pic is huge, sorry.
 
That is a great lookin blade...:thumbup: :D Outstanding Lookin Blade! did you use the sharpie and acid method to mark your knife?

Jason
 
Nice knife, man. I am learning on those crafts since three years. Sometimes the only thing that makes me make mistakes is my impatinece. For my first knives that I make for fun i gave all the time that needed. If you make something under steam - there is no fun, and mistakes are more often. Keep up the good work.
 
I think that is an awsome knife. what is this sharpie and acid mark? overall tho even with the pin off its really good quality from what I can see.
 
Another mistake was not getting the center pin center, and it looks a little out of place to the others. Maybe you are trying too hard, and going too fast. Overall, it looks like a nice knife, but you might consider slowing down to really think things out, before you do them. Speed will come with experience.
 
Heathen, the sharpie and acid marking system works thusly, clean your blade with alcohol, or other non-residue leaving solvent. write/draw your mark with a sharpie and etch in a vinegar bath for 6-8 hours. The steel under the sharpie will not etch, however the rest of the blade will etch, so it will contrast
 
good call, LRB. center pin's a shade too far back.

I etched the blade in FC to highlight the quench line. I wrote my name on it in sharpie prior to one of the etches, and the sharpie works as a resist. You have to clean the blade really well. I use acetone followed by dish soap and water.
 
That is a nice knife, and it is good that you can be honest with yourself and us to point out the mistakes you see. Slow down and you will get better. This knife is proof of that. A little bit more planning to get your pins aligned will help. Use a slow curing epoxy so that you have the time to make sure the mosiac pin is exactly the way you want it.
Your finish on the blade and handle are good, your plunge is clean and sweeps cleanly, although the top of the plunge is a little low.
Keep at it and if there is an experienced maker you respect nearby, see if He will give you some pointers.
Thanks,
Del
 
Good looking knife, the wood is outstanding. Every knife I make I try to do better than the last one, sometimes I even manage to do it.
 
As long as we're being picky ;), I would tighten up the radius where the handle meets the ricasso. That looks like it might want to slip forward out of your hand. I try to make mine so they rest almost effortlessly on the index finger, and feel like they want to stay there.

Overall, it's quite nice!
 
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