Handle shaping in natural light vs. artificial

[redsquid2]

I get better results when I'm outside, just holding the knife in my hand, and using small rasps and sandpaper. Problem is, there are some aspects of shaping which really require a vise. I don't want to set up a vise outside in the elements.

I swear I have shaped some handles inside, and then as soon as I take the knife outside, I see serious problems with the shape.

Am I the only one experiencing this difference? Do I have to buy some fancy diffuser, like the photographers use? I would be interested in a solution, if there is one.

Maybe just being extra careful is the only solution -- looking at the handle at all different angles, and frequently.

Thank you.

Andy

 

[mete]

You can get special "daylight " bulbs ,both incandescent and flourescent These may help a lot.
A good overall lighting is needed and work light which can be moved around to suite the situation.

 

[Fiddleback]

A vise on a steel table under a pole shed with a fan at my back is a dream of mine someday. Here in the city, I do the handle shaping indoors. But, I do walk outside to check the shape, mark the high spots with a crayon pencil and go back in to remove those spots.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I have a 10X20 foot "party tent" shelter set up outside the wood shop. I have a table, chairs, my lathe, and my togi bench there. I cover the lathe and bench with a grill cover. I can sit/stand outside and work so much nicer than in the cluttered shop. When thinking/planning, I sit there and look at the gardens and relax. Sometimes I hold a block of wood or a blade and just turn it in my hands looking at it for ideas or critique.

On the lighting, natural light is always better than artificial . Shadows are less pronounced as well as color rendition being true.

 

[Varga Knives]

I have a swiveling vacuum vise that I sometimes mount to a granite block and a clamp vise that I clamp to my deck rail for the same reasons. Both are cheap at HF or HD.

 

[Fred.Rowe]

Final inspection outdoors will show any thing that needs touched up. Don't forget to remove the shades.

 

[redsquid2]

thanks for all the feedback, everybody. very helpful.