First Fixed Blade Post

Durban Devil

Durban Devil

Hunter Handmade Knives
Joined
May 13, 2012
Messages
128
Good Day All:

I've been lurking on the forum for a good while now but have yet to post anything. This hunting/utility knife I just completed and is the first that I feel that it is worthy of sharing. Just a little background - While I've always been interested in knives, it wasn't until I was in South Africa and a few years from retirement that my wife strongly suggested that I find a hobby as to not be underfoot when I did retire. I was lucky enough to find Thinus and Gawie Herbst who offered knife making classes. Both Gawie and Thinus have the patience of a saint and after taking two of their fixed blade classes, I decided to purchase a grinder from them upon my return to the U.S. I've was primarily messing around trying to make knives on weekends until I retired last July. Since then I feel things have improved, hence today's post.

The knife is made from D2 steel and hardened to 59RC. It has as much of a mirror finish D2 will take, although I discovered some scratch marks near the ricasso on both side. The blade has a hollow grind and is approximately 4.5 inches from tip to handle. The handle is Bocote, which I happen to love the grain pattern and the way it finishes. The handle is attached with three stainless steel pins and a two stage epoxy. My Maker's Mark (not pictured) ended up not being as crisp as I'd like, but doesn't take away from the functionality of the knife. Away, I'd appreciate constructive criticism as I continue to learn and refine my capabilities.

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I like it a lot. Many a year on a lotta folks are still struggling to look this good.

I'm not a knife maker, smith, metalworker, or any such thing. I only know what I like in a knife in terms of looks and use, so you should consider my advice in that context. Things I'd like to see in this knife:

Taper the tang. It's pretty chunky back there and might be better balanced if slimmed down.
Slim the scales. I have average to slightly larger than average hands but I prefer a slimmer profile. Can do finer work that way.
Either reduce the length of the ricasso or use that area for a small finger choil. I happen to like a choil a lot as it gives me another option for a hand position. I also choke up on my blades for fine work, but I don't need a ricasso to do that. You'll therefore give the knife a finer profile, a more finished appearance and a longer cutting edge if you reduced the length of the ricasso. Otherwise, a finger choil would work.

Things I like:
Distal taper at the tip. Very fine. Looks like a very keen cutter.
Curve of the handle. Would fit my Palm perfectly. Like the rounded pommel, too.
Lack of guard. I like being able to cut all the way to a flat surface doing food prep with my knives, even if they are hunters.
No lanyard hole. I like a lanyard hole on some knives, but this one has more historic look without it.

Strong work!

Zieg
 
Thanks Zieg I appreciate the comments and don't disagree with your suggestions. This was actually modeled after a knife the Herbst had us do in their class. That knife had a bolster on it which I decided obviously not to do. Thanks again for the comments and suggestions
 
Looks awesome to me, I would never attempt to mirror polish any of my first knives, too much would show up so congrats on that! The handle looks great too!

Matt
 
Thanks Matt. Much appreciated. It's interesting that doing a mirror polish was taught in the class so I've been "trying" it ever since. A lot of times on previous tries I just got too frustrated.
 
Very good job! I'm just finishing my first blade, also in D2, so I can appreciate the polish you did. It must have taken a long time to get it this far. There's no way I would try for this finish, I'm leaving mine at 400 & that may still be a bit too fine & show too much...

I like the design & look. The only thing I would change might be the handle / ricasso relationship. I would like to see more grip & less flat in the blade area here. Either stretch the blade or the handle. A choil as was suggested by Zieg might be a good addition as well. Otherwise, I really like what you've done with this one. Simple, classic look. Nice!
 
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Thanks noseoil! I really appreciate the feedback. I think you and Zieg are correct in the handle relationship to the blade and something I'll keep in mind in the future. Again thank you and good luck on your blade.
 
You did a good job on the knife and I'm sure she will serve somebody well, I never try to mirror polish D2 as it tends to give the orange peel affect but it looks like you did a good polish on that blade! I see a lot of other people starting out with D2 as their pick of steel, You either hate or love it. Nice job on the knife!
 
Thanks Craig - I guess I would be in the love D2 category other than when it comes to sharpening it.
 
That is nice and clean. Great lines and looks like it would cut. I am looking farword to seeing your work in the exchange!!!
 
Thanks Monofletch! It's wicked sharp. I hope to be posting in the exchange soon. I just wasn't sure my work was up to snuff and worth posting compared to all the fine makers on the forum.
 
Hey Durban Devil, Your knives are not out of class by no means. There are always some better and some worse than we are as knife makers, You make nice clean knives and should do well selling them here on the forum, Good luck and I look forward to seeing more of your work.
 
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