First knife is done!!!

Justin Presson · Mar 23, 2014

It feels great to finally get my first knife done! First of all I want to say thanks to everyone who answered any of my questions here in shoptalk. This site has been amazing and helped me out more than anything. Aaron Gough and Nick Wheelers you tube videos really made a big difference in how his knife turned out I think. Also Darrin Sanders answered several questions for me to over the phone and email.
I have put a ton of hours into this knife, I actually started keeping track and after about 16 hours I stopped writing it down

Shawn Hatcher · Mar 23, 2014

Congrats on finishing your first. It looks fantastic. Great job!

If you look on the Photobucket page there are "Links to share this photo" on the right side of the page. Those links will allow you to display the photo in your post so users can see them without having to click each link:

Sgt John · Mar 23, 2014

Excellent job on your first knife! It looks very well done. Looking forward to your next one.

Justin Presson · Mar 23, 2014

Of thanks Shawn I will try and edit it. Thanks

Justin Presson · Mar 23, 2014

It feels great to finally get my first knife done! First of all I want to say thanks to everyone who answered any of my questions here in shoptalk. This site has been amazing and helped me out more than anything. Aaron Gough and Nick Wheelers you tube videos really made a big difference in how this knife turned out I think. Also Darrin Sanders answered several questions for me to over the phone and email.
I have put a ton of hours into this knife, I actually started keeping track and after about 16 hours I stopped writing it down

I did everything by hand tools and files, only power tool I used was a drill press. I really enjoyed it and look forward to joining the knifemaking community more. Comments and critique is welcome. It's not perfect but I'm very happy with it. Thanks for looking.

OK on to the Knife!

Specs:
Steel - 1080+ from alpha knife supply
Overal length - 8 3/8"
Cutting edge - 3 1/2"
Heat Treat - done by Darrin Sanders
Handle - walnut hand rubbed with truoil
Hardware - Nickel corby bolts
Epoxy Acraglas

Darrin Sanders · Mar 23, 2014

Whoa, that is one good lookin' knife. You sure thats your first one? Well done, I can't wait to see the next one. The old "dirty-thirty" rounds are a good addition to the pics, its one of my favorite cartridges.

Edited to add that you should get an etcher and a stencil ASAP. A person turning out knives that nice should have his name/mark on them.

bronyblacksmith · Mar 23, 2014

looks good and I liked the thirty thirty rounds.

Robert Dark · Mar 23, 2014

darrin sanders said:
Edited to add that you should get an etcher and a stencil ASAP. A person turning out knives that nice should have his name/mark on them.

I must agree with Darrin. That is a slick looking job for a first knife. I see a bright future ahead.

Keep up the good work.

Robert

Justin Presson · Mar 23, 2014

darrin sanders said:
Whoa, that is one good lookin' knife. You sure thats your first one? Well done, I can't wait to see the next one. The old "dirty-thirty" rounds are a good addition to the pics, its one of my favorite cartridges.

Edited to add that you should get an etcher and a stencil ASAP. A person turning out knives that nice should have his name/mark on them.

Its my first full on. I did put a antler handle on a kit knife. Thanks for the kind words. I do love me some dirty- thirty too

I would love to put my name on it. Maybe one of these days I can.

Justin

Justin Presson · Mar 23, 2014

Thank you Robert

bladeco · Mar 23, 2014

Wow....fantastic job! Nothing is more rewarding then turning your ideas into a tangible tool. Looking forward to seeing your next project!

Salolan · Mar 23, 2014

Very nicely done Justin! Where's it's sheath?

Chris

Justin Presson · Mar 23, 2014

Salolan said:
Very nicely done Justin! Where's it's sheath?

Chris

Thanks, I actually picked up some leather yesterday! I will be attempting one soon but was to excited to post up the knife so couldn't wait until I figured out how to make a sheath

Justin Presson · Mar 23, 2014

bladeco said:
Wow....fantastic job! Nothing is more rewarding then turning your ideas into a tangible tool. Looking forward to seeing your next project!

You are right it has been one of the more rewarding things I've done in awhile.

mattd · Mar 23, 2014

Nice work! I like the finish on the blade!

Jacob Hays · Mar 23, 2014

Nicely done!

Lots of little things that I missed on my first knife (and am probably missing on my soon to be second) that you did right here like the handle shaping and blade finish.

Line_of_weakness · Mar 24, 2014

Well done. I love nick and allen's videos, and they've been a huge inspiration for me as well. The plunge is great, and the scales fit flush like a glove. Certainly better than my first knife. In the tradition of Allen Gough, though, you must destroy it, for science. Have you chosen a brand or mark or anything like that?

Frank Niro · Mar 24, 2014

A very good looking and very useable knife !! Hard to believe some seem to have so much talent and some of us must learn every little thing about the knives we make the hard way. Good for you, Sir !!!!

Justin Presson · Mar 24, 2014

mattd said:
Nice work! I like the finish on the blade!

Thank you, Nick Wheelers hand sanding 101 video made all the difference in how it turned out I know it would not have looked as clean if I had not watched it.

Justin Presson · Mar 24, 2014

Jacob Hays said:
Nicely done!

Lots of little things that I missed on my first knife (and am probably missing on my soon to be second) that you did right here like the handle shaping and blade finish.

Thanks Jacob, the handle took a little thinking on. Once I got to it I had to draw up a plan because I kind of did not give it enough thought since I was so focused on the blade. Once I drew up a quick sketch of what I wanted it made it easier to visualize.

First knife is done!!!

Knifemaker