First knife finished! With a sheath!

go mike

go mike

Joined
Dec 5, 2008
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Hey everyone, I just finished my first knife, with a sheath! It's made of o1 steel tempered down to around 60 rc. The handles are the butterscotch micarta that Tracy gave for free. The handle turned out dirtier looking than I had expected, but instead of sanding a bunch off, I just left it. The sheath is just leather, with no belt clip yet.

Specs are: Blade is 3.5" handle is 4", O1 steel, hardened to about 60rc.

Let me know of any suggestions towards future knives!

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:D
 

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Nicely done for a first knife.

Have you tried wiping the scales down with acetone or alcohol? Perhaps using some fine sandpaper backed with leather to clean up the scales?
 
Will Leavitt said:
Nicely done for a first knife.

Have you tried wiping the scales down with acetone or alcohol? Perhaps using some fine sandpaper backed with leather to clean up the scales?
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No, I haven't. I hadn't thought of that. I'll go do that now, and post a pic if it changes.
 
I think thats great Mike! Use it to cut some stuff up. Thats really rewarding. After you've used it a bit, sit down and write out your steps. Draw the knife again. And make another. This beginning stuff is super fun, and you'll find yourself taking big leaps forward the more you make.
 
Thanks for the kind words everyone! Will, I cleaned up the handle with sandpaper and alcohol, it looks a lot better now.
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looks like someone has a great foundation started and a promising design already
 
Well done Mike, make something along the same design lines after you use this for a bit. You'll find things you need to change to make this your perfect knife.
 
Here's a couple more pics.
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Great job, Mike.
You did a great job contouring that handle.
Go use that baby and have fun.
Later,

Iz
 
Great job, Mike! It wasn't long ago that I finished my first, so it's still a fresh memory for me and it's a very rewarding feeling.

How did you make it? (files, grinder, etc.?)
 
Good job, Mike! I really like the shape of that knife, and a good looking handle to boot.

That's an excellent job on a first knife, and much much better than the first I made. A couple of suggestions to improve your next project. I learned early on that the area of the ricasso just in front of the handle scales is a bear to clean up once the scales are on. Spend a few extra minutes making sure the ricasso is clean and flat and as finished as you want it to be prior to gluing up the knife. Then, just after you've glued up the scales and clamped them in place, take a rag sprayed with WD40 and thoroughly wipe off any excess epoxy that eases out of the front of the scale prior to it setting up.

Also, you may want to try and include a welt in the next sheath to make sure that blade doesn't cut the stitching. Also, pick up some contact cement and glue the sheath seam prior to punching holes and stitching. This will make sure the knife can't sneak in there and cut the stitching.

Finally, after contouring and shaping the scales, use your contact wheel (or a flat piece of steel or micarta with sandpaper on it) to run over the tang of the knife. This will make sure the tang and scales are at the same level without metal sticking out above the scales.

Please don't take this as negative criticism, just some suggestions that can help you in the future.

Great job!

--nathan
 
P J 234 said:
Great job, Mike! It wasn't long ago that I finished my first, so it's still a fresh memory for me and it's a very rewarding feeling.

How did you make it? (files, grinder, etc.?)
Click to expand...

I had 1/8" thick, 1" wide O1 stock, and I used my bandsaw to cut a basic shape, then used my 1x30 belt sander to the rest. I used sanding drums on the drill press for the handles, and it took forever! Then I touched it up with files and sandpaper.


Nathan: Thanks for those suggestions. I wasn't sure what to do about the area in front of the scales, because I saw it was dirty too late. With the sheath, I am putting the edge toward the bend, instead of the stitching, which should prevent tearing/cutting through.


The worst part about this knife was I had the holes for the 1/8" pins ready, and then I decided to drill 1/4" holes to allow epoxy to bridge through, and I drilled the pin hole. I improvised and put a hidden pin inside, to help keep it stable. Anyone else do something like this? :p
 
Looks like a great first knife. Listen to the veterans here, and don't take there suggestions in a bad way. Your first is better than my first. I am sure your second will be better than mine too. Keep it up.

-frank
 
Well done, Mike. I like that handle shape. Overall it looks like a great 1st knife. And they only get better so learn what you can from each one and go make another!
 
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