First knife

J

Jkite

Joined
Jan 29, 2013
Messages
10
After a lot of forum stalking, headache and literally years trying to get space, tools, and time together I finally finished my first knife. There are obviously some flaws I couldnt, or didn't have time to sort out. But for a first I'm pretty happy. Didn't mean to grind up to the spine but I couldn't get the lines symmetrical and ended up chasing it to the top. A couple of low spots in the blade that I couldn't clean up because I was running out of room at the spine and at the edge. Ran out of time and didn't get it as clean as I would have liked. Only took it to 600 grit on the belt sander. And there is a streaking or something in the blade. It showed up when I cleaned it with denatured alcohol. I doubt that had anything to do with it though.

Anyway, Tomorrow it's going to a auction benefit for a wildlife management association here in Texas. Hope they enjoy it.

Ats34
Dyed giraffee bone
Stan buzek is an awesome dude and heat treated it for me. Thanks again Stan.

Bought a simple pouch sheath, dyed, fit, burnished and buffed. Not great, but it holds it tight.

Thanks for looking

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D***it.......that makes my first knife look terrible. You look like you've done this for a long time.
 
Looks to me like you have a knack for this work. Well done!

You'll be pleased to know that your pictures have gone into my "inspiration folder".

Keep up the good work.
 
That is awesome for a first knife. Most of your problems get worked out after you practice a couple of knives.

Questions for you then: why didn't you want to grind up to the spine and why not go from 600 belt finish to say 1500 hand sanding?
 
Good work, the bone turned out looking good,keep at it.

Stan
 
Wow I hope my first turns out half as nice. I like the finish it invites real use of the blade way more fun than a safe qeen :D
 
Congrats. Looks real nice for a first. It has a clean, balanced profile and appears to be executed fairly well. One thing to think about for your next knife would be developing a clean hand sanded finish. Great work.
Erin
 
Thanks everyone. It means a great deal. I've been lurking in the forums for YEARS with out making a single thing. I am constantly amazed how good everyone's work is.

Weatherman. I just prefer some sort of flat, and a clean grind line on the sides that sweeps with the edge. What was happening was that, on two blanks, I would reach the point I wanted nearly perfect then i would try to get it "just a bit better" and then wham, the sides didn't match. One side would be exact, and the other would either be be a bit more angled than sweep with the edge, or I would dig to far into the plunge line trying to get the line parallel to the edge. Well by the time it was done I was at the top.

Luckily I was able to keep the flat from running over the spine and notching the spine.

On the sanding, it was really an issue of time. I had to get the blade where I could so I could get the handle on. I had no idea how long that was going to take me to shape and polish. I didn't have the higher grits so it would have set me back a full day until I could get to the supply store I would have loved to get it up to at least a 1200 grit. I did make one other knife, (had help from Stan grinding, so I don't really cont that as "my" first). I took that one up to I think 1200 by hand and it had a satin had finish. Because I stink at it, and it takes me 3 times as long, I knew I didn't haven't the time. I am embarrassed By the 600 grit finish but at least I was able to submit it in time and didn't miss the deadline.

Thanks again

Here is the other knife.
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Very cool. I was just curious on your thoughts on those points. I think you did a great job on your first knife. What kind of competition did you submit it in?
 
thats a great first knife, definitely on your way to being a top notch maker(already very good). i would be embarrassed to show my first knife. although it was a saw blade and i was 14. that is something to be proud of. good work.
 
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