From paper to reality (pics)

S.Alexander

S.Alexander

Joined
Jul 7, 2013
Messages
2,614
Here is my latest project. Knife #8 IIRC. This one is by far my best work. Thanks to Nick Wheeler on his hand sanding tutorial. It helped me improve my final product immensely (and for some reason I really enjoyed hand sanding).

I personally love this style of knife with the finger choil. I know it's not everybodys cup of tea but I like it.

-10.25" overall length (I made it longer than the original plan)
-1.5" at it's widest point and 5/32 thick (according to aldo but I think it'a closer to 3/16)
-Aldo's 1084 steel heat treated to a goal of 58-59 Rockwell hardness
-Satin finish blade with scotchbrite belts
Knife is balanced right at the front of the scale
-removable canvas micarta scales with chainring bolt hardware
-Lanyard hole is through the chainring bolt
-kydex sheath with leather belt loop attachment.

What I'm happy with:
- blade finish is what I was looking for. A nice uniform finish.
- blade shape
- handle materials and ability to make different scales in the future
- kydex turned out well IMO

What I'm unhappy with:
- I need a makers mark. I tried a cheap battery operated system but was not happy with my test results. No way ill do that to this knife.
- handle material wasn't quite thick enough to contour as much as I wanted to. I used 1/4" micarta but should have glued on a liner to add thickness


Any other feedback or comments are welcome. I know my pics aren't the greatest, but I just used my cell phone.











 
Awesome. It's seriously one of the most satisfying feelings in the production process, being able to look back and see how it all began to what it is.
 
Very cool! Love the chainring bolts. I'm just starting out, and have decided I prefer a removable handle scale to a pinned/epoxied one. Plus those just look sick.
 
Pretty cool. I like the tuned in real life version.

A lot of times I'll sketch a blade, then transfer that and rough it out, then make quite a few adjustments on blade when I have it in hand, and use that for the final stock template.

Every once in a while I'll nail it and the original drawing will be identical to the final template, but it's rare.

I don't mind the finger width choil as long as it fits well with the knife. They do really bug me when someone just snips them out of a pattern just for the sake of having one.
 
I've really noticed this as well, what looks great on paper never looks/feels like intended when its real. I guess this is experience.

There is a reason they call it "tried and true" I guess, but the beginning knifemaker in me still wants to be unique... :)
 
HallHandmade said:
Pretty cool. I like the tuned in real life version.

A lot of times I'll sketch a blade, then transfer that and rough it out, then make quite a few adjustments on blade when I have it in hand, and use that for the final stock template.

Every once in a while I'll nail it and the original drawing will be identical to the final template, but it's rare.

I don't mind the finger width choil as long as it fits well with the knife. They do really bug me when someone just snips them out of a pattern just for the sake of having one.
Click to expand...

My templates so far look pretty similar to my actual blanks. I always end modifying them somehow, either a longer blade, or a wider tang. Whatever ends up feeling better in the hand.
 
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