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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Green canvas Micarta drop point
- Thread starter irbailey
- Start date
Hello TKC, I think I've been here before!!
I cannot see the point in making a using knife with a handle that doesnt fit in your hand. I can see your point that it would look better if the handle and blade were in proportion, but I'm sure anyone who uses a working knife daily as I do, will agree that one which fits the hand is far superior.
This is something like the 65th knife I've made. I started out with brass because it it easy to use. As I gain better skills I intend to use some other materials such as stainless.
Thank you for taking the time to have a look.
Regards, Ian
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2007
- Messages
- 2,624
nice clean work , great job on the tapered tang as well.
Brass works for me , a functional solid working knife. Nothing you don't need and everything you do.
Brass works for me , a functional solid working knife. Nothing you don't need and everything you do.
Thanks John. Thats what its all about for me. No nonsense working knives that do the job. Just recently I sold a stub tang Micarta semi-skinner to a plumber I was working with. The first day he had it he used a hammer to hit the end of the handle to remove the grout from a tiled manhole cover, without any adverse affects. And on about the forth day he ended up in hospital having five stitches where he somehow managed to cut his middle finger down to the bone.
I of course was feeling rather pleased with myself. The knife was tough enough to withstand the abuse, yet still held a good enough edge to cut well!!
For some reason, he did'nt quite see it in the same way!!
I don't mind what people want my knives for, but seeing them all dinged up from being used makes me far happier than seeing them hung on the wall.
Ian
I of course was feeling rather pleased with myself. The knife was tough enough to withstand the abuse, yet still held a good enough edge to cut well!!
For some reason, he did'nt quite see it in the same way!!
I don't mind what people want my knives for, but seeing them all dinged up from being used makes me far happier than seeing them hung on the wall.
Ian
- Joined
- May 25, 2007
- Messages
- 968
Your cracking me up! Great Story! YOU would be surprised just how many people who own custom knives, have no idea that they can be USED! Or more importantly, how many custom knives out there today really can't be used. Do much more than look at them and they will literally fall apart in your hand!
They may as well be a wall painting or made of plastic.
Mike
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
- Messages
- 13,363
Is that scratches on the guard and blade?
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
- Messages
- 13,363
Yes great story in deed.
Someone cutting themselves to the bone is always good for a laugh isn't it Mike. :jerkit:
- Joined
- May 17, 2006
- Messages
- 450
Great looking knife. I'm not sure if those are scratches or not because it looks mirror polished. Sometimes the flash on the camera makes knives look like they have all kinds of blemishes that they really don't. My one suggestion, in order to rid yourself of the camera flash thing, is to light the picture with a different light source, then take the picture without the flash. I like the blade though. Good work. :thumbup:
I'm always having trouble with the photos I take. You spend time getting the finish where you want it, then when you photograph it, it looks like its been attacked with an angle grinder.
I've tried time and time again to take good photos, but in the end I get fed up and say "that will do". When I want some proper pictures done, I'll get Kam Singh to do it!
As for the plumbers finger, I can assure you he received far worse abuse on site than he ever would on this forum. Everyone knows that a cut to the bone isnt really funny, but we are talking building site sense of humour.
The general rule is - If you're looking for sympathy, try the dictionary - its somewhere between s**t and syphilis.
Its all about having the tongue firmly in the cheek
Ian
I've tried time and time again to take good photos, but in the end I get fed up and say "that will do". When I want some proper pictures done, I'll get Kam Singh to do it!
As for the plumbers finger, I can assure you he received far worse abuse on site than he ever would on this forum. Everyone knows that a cut to the bone isnt really funny, but we are talking building site sense of humour.
The general rule is - If you're looking for sympathy, try the dictionary - its somewhere between s**t and syphilis.
Its all about having the tongue firmly in the cheek
Ian
- Joined
- May 9, 2000
- Messages
- 29,205
Certainly looks like a knife that would get the job done. It also looks to be really well made.
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
- Messages
- 13,363
I'm always having trouble with the photos I take. You spend time getting the finish where you want it, then when you photograph it, it looks like its been attacked with an angle grinder.
I've tried time and time again to take good photos, but in the end I get fed up and say "that will do". When I want some proper pictures done, I'll get Kam Singh to do it!
As for the plumbers finger, I can assure you he received far worse abuse on site than he ever would on this forum. Everyone knows that a cut to the bone isnt really funny, but we are talking building site sense of humour.
The general rule is - If you're looking for sympathy, try the dictionary - its somewhere between s**t and syphilis.
Its all about having the tongue firmly in the cheek
Ian
I thought it must be in the photo. Wouldn't make sense for a maker to go to so much effort to make such a fine knife to leave scratches on the finish.
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2005
- Messages
- 27,884
Hey irbailey,
I got a bit a kick out of reading of your plumber friend's, ahem, experiences with the knife you made for him. That was kind of funny
.Hey, do you get much interest from the guys on site in your knives? Do you carry one of your knives yourself? I'm curious. There's a lot of residential going on in these parts, and if I could think of some way to turn these guys onto custom knives, I bet they'd be a good market. Shit, a lot of them carry around $130 titanium hammers. A lot of the older, really skilled guys know all about taking care of their tools, so a utility knife, (or EDK, if you like
) custom made for them wouldn't be outta the question.If you don't mind, what's your trade?
-------------
Oh, and Mike. Well I didn't know quite what to say when I quoted your words, and I'm still not sure if I do, but. Well, I hope we get a chance to talk someday, I guess that's all I have to say
.This has turned into an interesting and enlightening thread
.- Joined
- May 25, 2007
- Messages
- 968
As many times as I've cut myself---You bet! I can laugh all I want.
Now where's that super glue! That and I can't tell you how many times over the years someone has stopped at my table, or in our old shop and checked out a knife just to say it was dull. Usually after showing off either shaving hair, or running a thumb down the edge. All the while bleeding all over our table. Never knowing they had been cut. When you point the blood out to them, you get the Wow! That Knife is sharp! I never felt it! So Yea, it brings back a LOT of memories of just how careless people can be with a sharp knife.
You would be surprised how many, even knife show goers, collectors, users, have never held much less used a really sharp knife! But there is no way you can warn them. They just about Never Will Listen. That's why I use a red table cloth to this day!
Mike
Last edited:
Hey irbailey,
I got a bit a kick out of reading of your plumber friend's, ahem, experiences with the knife you made for him. That was kind of funny
Hey, do you get much interest from the guys on site in your knives? Do you carry one of your knives yourself? I'm curious. There's a lot of residential going on in these parts, and if I could think of some way to turn these guys onto custom knives, I bet they'd be a good market. Shit, a lot of them carry around $130 titanium hammers. A lot of the older, really skilled guys know all about taking care of their tools, so a utility knife, (or EDK, if you like
If you don't mind, what's your trade?
-------------
Oh, and Mike. Well I didn't know quite what to say when I quoted your words, and I'm still not sure if I do, but. Well, I hope we get a chance to talk someday, I guess that's all I have to say
This has turned into an interesting and enlightening thread
I'm an electrician by trade, and a knife is one of my most used tools. I always had opinels before I started making them, but was never really happy with them. I am a knife abuser, and often will use a hammer on the spine to cut cable, undo screws, etc if my tools are not to hand. With opinels I was getting through one a year, due to chipping and re-grinding etc.
Now, I get through one a year, but due to wanting something different. I just sold a 4" stub tang drop with an ebony handle which was my work knife for 14 months.
As far as sales go, I seem to sell one on every site I go to! People always comment on my knife and say things like "Oh, thats nice, what sort is it?"
Before you know it another order is pinned on the wall!
Its also suprising how many people have become knife converts since buying one and wonder how they managed before they started to carry one.
I'm only a spare time maker, and probably only make about 16 - 18 knives a year.
My waiting list currently stands at about 18-24 months, and I've just sold 1 of 2 orders to the US. This is my proudest acheivement so far (along with some praise from Mr Lovett!)
Things are looking up!!
Ian
- Joined
- May 25, 2007
- Messages
- 968
By the way, the funny part was the way IRB. put it. Still sharp enough to cut. But the worker didn't see it that way. Sure sounded like humor to me. Besides. Every one knows that a dull knife will slip and cut you a lot faster than a sharp controllable one. Been there done that! Let me count the ways! IR. Those don't look like scratches but rather fine haze caused by aluminum oxide compound. You can get rid of that final ultra fine pattern by using Pure Green Chrome polishing compound. It cost a about double what regular green compound does, and is very-very dirty. Just touching it will leave your hands green. But it will kill that haze.
This is why so many makers hate the lighting at many shows. It makes the blemishes stand out like you wouldn't believe. And one of the reasons the hand rubbed-satin finished blade has become so popular with the makers. You don't get this effect on a satin blade.
You can order the compound from K & G finishing supplies. 1-800-972-1192. Ask for the compound that Mike Lovett and SR. Johnson get from them. . It is the AB 300 white and SS 303 if I remember right. These will bring up the finish. To finish it off, use Pure Green. AGKG. Sheffield Knife Makers supply carries the pink no scratch which is in between the two, but doesn't get into stag like the pure green. Part # LEA8 . 1-800-874-7007. If you don't already have it, get a un-sewn soft muslin buff for the pure green and and keep it in a plastic bag to prevent contamination. They both sell the rake that you will need to use before applying it before final polish.
Mike Lovett
-Maker-
The Loveless Connection Knives
This is why so many makers hate the lighting at many shows. It makes the blemishes stand out like you wouldn't believe. And one of the reasons the hand rubbed-satin finished blade has become so popular with the makers. You don't get this effect on a satin blade.
You can order the compound from K & G finishing supplies. 1-800-972-1192. Ask for the compound that Mike Lovett and SR. Johnson get from them. . It is the AB 300 white and SS 303 if I remember right. These will bring up the finish. To finish it off, use Pure Green. AGKG. Sheffield Knife Makers supply carries the pink no scratch which is in between the two, but doesn't get into stag like the pure green. Part # LEA8 . 1-800-874-7007. If you don't already have it, get a un-sewn soft muslin buff for the pure green and and keep it in a plastic bag to prevent contamination. They both sell the rake that you will need to use before applying it before final polish.
Mike Lovett
-Maker-
The Loveless Connection Knives
Thanks for the tip Mike. After reading that, it has just dawned on me how contaminated my buffing wheels are. I use a stitched wheel with fast cutting "cannings" compound, and a loose wheel with pink compound.
My workshop is 9' x 16' and contains everything, 2 belt grinders, 2 wheel grinders, 2 drill presses, band saw, 2 buffs, large forge, and my small forge. This is without all the countless other tools.
Needless to say, not enough room to swing a cat.
Even a small one!!
My buffing wheels must be full of steel dust, swarf etc and this is probably why I never seem to get a flawless mirror finish. They shine well enough to use as a mirror (when I figure you could use it to get something out of your eye with I'm happy) but always look rough when photographed.
It looks like clean wheels and green chrome is the way to go. Thanks.
By the way, I'm testing the knife out at the moment, before I make one to sell. Today I needed to cut a 3-core 1.5 mm cable (not sure what that is in US SWG size??) and was too lazy to walk back up 3 flights of stairs to get them! One smart whack to the spine with my hammer, one cut cable and no edge damage.
Happy days!!
Ian
My workshop is 9' x 16' and contains everything, 2 belt grinders, 2 wheel grinders, 2 drill presses, band saw, 2 buffs, large forge, and my small forge. This is without all the countless other tools.
Needless to say, not enough room to swing a cat.
Even a small one!!
My buffing wheels must be full of steel dust, swarf etc and this is probably why I never seem to get a flawless mirror finish. They shine well enough to use as a mirror (when I figure you could use it to get something out of your eye with I'm happy) but always look rough when photographed.
It looks like clean wheels and green chrome is the way to go. Thanks.
By the way, I'm testing the knife out at the moment, before I make one to sell. Today I needed to cut a 3-core 1.5 mm cable (not sure what that is in US SWG size??) and was too lazy to walk back up 3 flights of stairs to get them! One smart whack to the spine with my hammer, one cut cable and no edge damage.
Happy days!!
Ian