Graduation knife for a good kid, critique sought

Redmeadow Knives

Redmeadow Knives

John Conner
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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A friend of mines son graduated high school yesterday, this was his graduation gift.
Apologies for the photo quality, I need to set up a light box of some sort.

I would appreciate some feedback on overall design, proportion and whatnot, but specifically:

The rear angle of the bolsters?
The sharpening notch/choil relation to the plunge line?
Forward pin placement?
Method of bolster attachment? Being aluminum and not soldered, the 4 pin holes are tapered slightly and pins peened with a thin layer of epoxy underneath. Suggestions for a better method?
My feelings are indestructible, so fire away please.

OAL- 8 7/8"
Actual edge- 3 7/8
Steel- O1
Scales -Walnut (Not stabilized, Vinegaroon, Danish oil)
Pins/Bolster - Aluminum

 
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I like everything I'm seeing here. Everything you asked about looks spot-on to me. Great looking knife.
 
I'm humbled by the compliments, thank you. I've been struggling with proportion and pin placement, and have been trying to learn the small details than can make or break a knife when it comes to balancing pleasing the eye, function and strength.
 
For sure it's very well made . If you know this young fellow watch out for hugs next time you see him !
Frank
 
I gave it to him yesterday, he liked it and thanked my too many times throughout the day. I gave his great uncle a small knife as well. The best gifts to give or receive are handmade. Especially in a time where everything is disposable!
 
I think everything you had concerns about looks fine to me. Just my personal preference here so please take it as such, the finger choil looks like it was ground just a hair to deep into the bolster, but this could just be the photos and reflections. Doesn't take anything away form the knife though and no doubt your friends son will be stoked to have it :thumbup: Handmade is infinitely better than anything off the shelf in my book!

Keep up the good work!

-Clint
 
Thanks Augus7us, I'm working on a similar knife and that's one of the things I changed very slightly, a bit more shallow. This one fits the hand extremely well, but you're right, with any glare, it looks like it rolls in a bit much. That fine balance between fit and pleasing to the eye is what I'm really focusing on lately.
He is stoked, and hopefully isn't afraid to use it.
 
lessismore said:
I gave it to him yesterday, he liked it and thanked my too many times throughout the day. I gave his great uncle a small knife as well. The best gifts to give or receive are handmade. Especially in a time where everything is disposable!
Click to expand...

i agree. I'm doing one for my nephew who's going through infantry training after just finishing his basic training. Glad he liked it. great looking knife... looks like a well thought out EDC fixed blade that wouldn't get in the way.

P.S. since you asked, I would have changed the placement of the pins, but everything else looks outstanding to me.. and that's not shot at yours, just would have put em in a different place if it were me, but what the hell do I know? i'll post mine when it's done for the same critiquing.

cheers
 
Thanks rustyrazor, if you don't mind, what would you change about the pin placement? I don't consider your P.S. a shot at all, I'd like to know what you think. I struggle with distance from the bolster and the butt, especially when using 1/4". I'm thinking about switching to a 3/16" in the front with a couple of rows of 1/8" or 1/16" towards the butt. I think that looks great when done right.
 
Nicely done. If I would make any changes they would be the already mentioned finger choil and leave out the center pin. Hope it sees lots of use. Jess
 
lessismore said:
Thanks rustyrazor, if you don't mind, what would you change about the pin placement? I don't consider your P.S. a shot at all, I'd like to know what you think. I struggle with distance from the bolster and the butt, especially when using 1/4". I'm thinking about switching to a 3/16" in the front with a couple of rows of 1/8" or 1/16" towards the butt. I think that looks great when done right.
Click to expand...

as i said, personal preference... i think the pin should have been moved back further from the bolster... not sure why. Maybe for me at least i think it would make the symmetry a bit better from bolster, pin, pin, hole? I'm assuiming the holes are evenly spaced, but it looks like the first one is just too close to the bolsers. like i said, what do i know, just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions? lol
 
Thanks for all the input, especially on the pins. I'll think about the things mentioned at the drawing board for next time. I'm working with 1095 on my current project. I'm going to play around with differential heat treatment and see if I can get some hamon. Always found that interesting.
 
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