First knife done!

Keith_H

Keith_H

Joined
Jul 20, 2007
Messages
3,121
A little about myself first, My name is Keith Hilton, I recently turned 16 years old and have become quite interested in knifemaking. I have been reading all I can on the subject, and I think i have found my new favourite hobby!

This is my first knife, I cut it out with a hacksaw, filed the bevels, heat treated it in a campfire followed by a 2 hour temper. I used electrical micarta and stainless arc welding rod for the handle. Sanded to 600 grit- because i prefer a scratchier finish. I hope you like it, any comments and critiques are welcome!

Blade length- 2 6/8"
OAL- 6 1/4"
O1 tool steel




 
Thank you! Im not the best photographer, and the extra light really shows any bits of epoxy.
 
wow. Hacksaw and files? that's amazing. I really like your knife esp the handle. How long would you say it took you to make it?
 
KellyGlanzer said:
I saw this knife today and It looks great.
Get your Dad to help you get that grinder Keith.
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Thanks! I will and am considering building one of my own design. Thanks again for having me over!

mmckinley said:
wow. Hacksaw and files? that's amazing. I really like your knife esp the handle. How long would you say it took you to make it?
Click to expand...

I put it off for a while and I could do it faster, but about 4 months- slowly. It should have taken me a week; about a day each step.
 
Incredible work for a first knife! What did you use to smooth out the spine and finger grooves on the tang?
 
Great job on your first knife Keith it looks a lot better than what i made the first time!
Keep up the good work!

Bob
 
That is great, for a first knife or a 10th. Great work. Definitely look into the grinder thing. I'm in the same budget situation and am working on building the NWGS (No Weld Grinder Sander) from Midwest Knifemakers Supply.

http://www.midwestknifemakers.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=59&osCsid=1ae28c1129a12f9d4f08bf3312e13d30

I bought the plans for $25 and have started collecting the parts needed. It really doesn't require any majorly specialized tools that you likely wouldn't need around the shop anyway.

Currently I use a Harbor Freight 1x30 grinder and it works fairly good. I've started doing flat grinding on it after having a better platen made and it's working suprisingly well. It's just slow. The 2x72 really speeds things up (that's not always a good thing).

One other recommendation, if you haven't done so, is to buy both the Goddard book "$50 Knife Shop" and the Loveless book on how to make knifes. Both are great resources.

Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing your second knife.

Charlie
 
WOW..
thats really awesome! i am ashamed to say that my first knife wasnt even post worthy...that is a really sweet little knife.. very crisp lines and professional finish! way to go.. keep it up!
~Chris
 
Looking good. A long, long way from my first knife, or even my 20th knife. One of these days I'll have to see if I post a pic of my first, if it doesn't break the cammera.

Nothing at all wrong with a 600 grit finish on the mycarta, some people bead or sand blast, some do like you did and leave at 4-800 grit for grip. Great job.
 
Thanks for the great comments guys! I have some ferric chloride and was wondering if i could etch my initials on it or stamp?

I like pouch sheaths but am beginning to think that i would want a kydex sheath.
 
Looks great man.

I built a folder for my first knife, and Now I\'m gonna give a shot at a fixed blade. It\'s almost done, there will be pics here soon.
 
Looks great man.

I built a folder for my first knife, and Now I\'m gonna give a shot at a fixed blade. It\'s almost done, there will be pics here soon.
 
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