First knife order!

G

Guy Thomas

Joined
Feb 1, 2000
Messages
1,370
I got my first knife order today! A business aquaintance looked the hunter I made from L6 steel over and wants me to make him a custom fillet knife. I was thinking 440C for the blade but would ATS-34 do as well? Also I have some cocobolo, would the wet environment be too much for the handle if it were sealed with an oil (teak oil?) finish also?

Guy Thomas/Thomas Knives!
 
Outstanding Guy!!!
I think for a fillet knife you'd be better off with 440c and for handles, I'd stick with dyamondwood or something like corian. Also, don't finish the handle real slick, like buffing it. Get a little fish slime on a slick handle and watch out. I hand sanded mine thru 400 grit and then hit it with a fine scotchbrite pad.

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Take care!! Michael
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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!
http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
Right on! Congratulations, that's an awesome feeling having someone want a knife of yours!

I agree with L6, don't get the entire surface slick. If you do buff the entire thing, it's good to either file some checkering into the handle, or tape it off and add some blasted texture.

I think for fillet knives, micarta or G10 that's been sand-blasted is a great look and feel. I used to work with a fishing guide as a summer job, and I can tell you, you definitely want something with some bite on that handle. We used a lot of Dexter Russel kitchen knives for filleting sturgeon, and they have a rough plastic handle similar to the feel of blasted G10.

Good luck!
Nick
 
Guy,
Congrats on yoour first order, my first order was for exactly the same thing. However
the customer did specify L6 I have no idea why, Ijust think he wants to say he bought my first knife. I also used dymond wood on the handle and the customer loves it reckons
its great to use and hold for long periods when cleaning and gutting fish.Thats why I cant understand his reasons for wanting L6.
But I dont think you could go wrong with 440c and dymond wood.
Regards
Steve
 
Just kind of justifies the whole hobby when someone else likes your work enough to pay for it, doesn't it?
Congrats to you and your new customer.

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Oz


"His name is Robert Paulson."
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/
 
Great job, Guy. I have to agree with Osbourn, and I think everyone else would to, to love making knives is one thing, but to have someone else love the knives you make makes it all that much sweeter.

440C would be my choice for the blade. You may also want to try doing some filework in the handle material itself for extra grip. Keep it going. Let us know how it goes.

J.
 
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