First knife. FINALLY.

GHEzell said:
Well done man!

The one thing that bugs me is the pin placement so far from the ends of the scales, but still... good job.
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Good eye!

I had drilled the tang to feature a lanyard hole as well as bolsters. The lanyard I decided against simply because this is a lightweight slicer that won't ever really need it. The bolsters were a harder decision. The clay coating seemed to work for a hamon, just going by the look after a ferric chloride dip, but I didn't like how little of the ricasso hardened. As thin as the tang was, I wanted some of it hardened. I had also pressed one block of yellow/green burlap, cut out the scales and glued up the liners, then realized that the scales were too thin with the taper, so I had to scrap those and start over. Anyway, I'd have liked to do the bolsters, but in the end I kind of felt like I was trying too many things for a first knife. More ambitions could come later, but that did leave the pins a little bit more centered than I'd have liked.

Maybe next time. ;)
 
That came out really nice. Now go make another one!! I am pretty new at this, but what has worked for me is to focus strongly on the one thing that bugged me the most on my last knife, and do it right on the next one. I keep finding new things to bug me as I get better. :) :grumpy:
 
Good advice Willie. Chasing a decent plunge into the ricasso over and over was what bugged me most on that knife. Even finished, the plunge on one side is ground too deeply which I think happened by lingering too long and/or by pulling back on the tip and letting the belt dig in. I'm still getting used to the 40 grit zirc belts.

I now have the excellent file guide that Eric made me. It'll be my first time using one so hopefully things will improve. Then I need to focus on refining the bevel before the edge gets too thin, figuring out a way to do the taper with limiting equipment, etc.

One thing I'm really happy with is the edge. That is one super sharp knife. Fortunately I have a lot of experience sharpening, so there's at least one thing I'm pretty confident doing. :)
 
That's a good looking knife, especially for a first! Light years ahead of my first at any rate. I'm really liking the handle shape and overall shape, looks like it'd fit in the hand very nicely and be a real work horse.

A tip on getting the plunges even, don't be afraid to leave it a little thick and use a safe edge file to true them up. Most time I simply use a trizac belt rolled over the edge of the platen, but even then I have to go back and straighten up with file and sand paper a lot of times. The one plunge that looks like you knocked the corner off of, a simple fix is to bring both back to it and even up. Of course at first you'll be going back and forth and it'll drive you crazy. I've used file guides, clamped pieces of leaf spring, ect., but it's practice that will really make the difference. A big part is training your hands and eyes, but it looks like you've got a leg up on a lot of us when we were starting, good job!
 
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I'm glad I didn't miss it. I kept looking for actual finished work. I really like it. Good on you for finishing a first. Its way better than mine. Careful though. Its addictive.
 
I am no expert , but that's a good looking knife , especially for a first , in my humble opinion !!
 
Fiddleback said:
I'm glad I didn't miss it. I kept looking for actual finished work. I really like it. Good on you for finishing a first. Its way better than mine. Careful though. Its addictive.
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Looking for finished work? Me too! :D it's funny though, when I hold both, this knife, and the Fiddleback Kephart at the same time I feel a bit embarrassed. I guess that's appropriate. Maybe after I make 3,999 more I can start to compare. ;)

Thanks for the tips, tricks and compliments guys. It really means a lot to me. The last couple of days after getting off work I've felt more relaxed because I don't feel like I have anything to do (aside from all of my normal duties), but at the same time I feel a bit anxious.

I think it would do me a great deal of good to clean and organize before starting the next one. Such a small knife, yet such a big mess!
 
I doubt it'll take u as long as it has me. Im not any great maker. What I do is the basics. I could show it to u in a week. Your knife is quite advanced compared to many first efforts I inspect at the Ga guild. Be proud.
 
Fiddleback said:
I doubt it'll take u as long as it has me. Im not any great maker. What I do is the basics. I could show it to u in a week. Your knife is quite advanced compared to many first efforts I inspect at the Ga guild. Be proud.
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I'll take that and run with it my friend. I understand what you're saying about your work, I've seen your explanation, but it IS great work. Regardless of what you may think, your knives bring a lot of joy to a large number of people. There's everything right in being modest. I sometimes get bummed doing what I do at my job, but I know that the product I help manufacture (I'm a cheese maker by day) brings some small happiness to many people, and being able to say that is a great thing. ;)
 
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