First attempt at knife making

[Macchina]

Don't hate me for mixing pennies in with silver dollars, but here is my first attempt at making a knife. I build custom machines for a living, so metal working is something I do a lot. I used an old file with stock removal method. I never got it hot (a gallon of coolant assured that), so I didn't heat treat it, therefore it is still at the Rc 1 Gazzilion hardness of the original Nicolson file. The handle is clear green phenolic that we use for insulation in some of our machines. The scales are bolted on with 10-32 flatheads and nuts, then I filled the holes with fiberglass resin. the blade is sharpened with no secondary edge. I had the blade mirror finish, but was stupid and had to strop it. It cut best with a rough edge, so I didn't move on to finer grits, therefore the crappy finish on the blade. It took me one night while a program ran on my cnc, getting paid for making a knife for myself = priceless!

 

[pakoraman]

very nice, mad props

 

[grangerknives]

There is nothing wrong with that at all. Remember that Scagel, Randall & Loveless all had to make a first knife once. I know I did! Paul

 

[David Schott]

Careful!

That blade might be apt to shatter pretty easilly....i can break a file with my bare hands and very little pressure!

 

[rebeltf]

Careful!

That blade might be apt to shatter pretty easilly....i can break a file with my bare hands and very little pressure!

Good point. Cool little knife though and now that you've made your first you've gotten the bug !
With that handle material it reminds me of something from days gone by.

 

[shotgunner11]

Good job, looks good enough for a 20th knife let alone a first.

 

[madcap_magician]

That's an awesome job, especially for a first knife!

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Looks like it would make a very nice paring knife.

 

[mymindisamob]

I only hope, that if I pick up knifemaking, that my first looks as good.