Here it is: My Second Knife

ONeill said:
I agree with Mikey here . If you use 2 pieces one should be a bolster or an insert between 2 pieces of the same material . Now , go farther , dove tail the pieces .
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Dovetail the pieces???!!!! You're not asking for much are you? ;)

I was thinking about having an angle cut to match the two pieces.

That would give my blades a distinctive look wouldn't it? I'm trying to get a look that folks will recognize when they see my work.

I love everyone's input. Thanks.
 
daveinvegas said:
Mike,

Actually I almost used some black Micarta as a bolster type material along with the two pieces of wood. I just thought the wood was so purdy that I wanted to use as much of it as possible. I think next time I will use black Micarta as a bolster and one color of wood (as well as pins).
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In my opinion, two materials in a handle is enough (plus pins), so I think just having these two woods is better than having two woods AND micarta bolsters. But that's just my thought.
 
go mike said:
In my opinion, two materials in a handle is enough (plus pins), so I think just having these two woods is better than having two woods AND micarta bolsters. But that's just my thought.
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Mike,

I tend to agree with you about using too many different materials
 
Good work Dave!

My prob isn't so much that you used different woods, but that the colors of the woods don't seem to compliment each other very much. Those orange and red tones seem to conflict or clash to me. But then hey, maybe that unique look you're after will be plaid?! ;)

All the best, Phil
 
daveinvegas said:
Another point about these multi-color handles is that I like to use every little piece of material I have. I can't stand throwing something out if I think I can use it.
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daveinvegas said:
I think I like using two different types or colors of wood so the knife doesn't look so plain. What do ya'll think?
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I really like the two-tone look. A mainly walnut handle with a maple spacer/bolster is one of my faves. Also, like you, I'm frugal and hate to throw out "scraps".

The "dovetailing" suggestion is a good one. It looks very nice. As you mentioned, the ones I've seen are just a miter (angled joint) and not a true dovetail.

That magnetic stand is really neat! You should make a couple of those and sell them here; I bet folks would buy 'em. Keep up the good work!
 
James_Terrio said:
I really like the two-tone look. A mainly walnut handle with a maple spacer/bolster is one of my faves. Also, like you, I'm frugal and hate to throw out "scraps".

The "dovetailing" suggestion is a good one. It looks very nice. As you mentioned, the ones I've seen are just a miter (angled joint) and not a true dovetail.

That magnetic stand is really neat! You should make a couple of those and sell them here; I bet folks would buy 'em. Keep up the good work!
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Thank you, thank you all.

James,

I have three of the stands made and I do sell em once in a while. I would sell em here if anyone is interested but thay ain't cheap. The magnets I use are really expensive.

OK, so let's see, exposed pins, mitre, two colors one as a bolster. OK, got it.
 
Great looking knives Dave,

I just took up knife making... I hope my knives will look that good one day..

Any tips?

Thx, Ian:D
 
Thin Lizzy81 said:
Great looking knives Dave,

I just took up knife making... I hope my knives will look that good one day..

Any tips?

Thx, Ian:D
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That's what I said and I don't think these two knives are all that much compared to the work a lot of people here do they are a start. I think they are OK for my first knives but I hope to get better at it.

If I can do it anyone can.

TIPS:

These two knives are my second and third attempts. On the first try all I did was screw up a file. Once someone (John T) showed me how to grind the blade it was easier. Not easy but easier. Everyone here is extremely supportive.

Read everything everyone posts here. Read the stickys.

Look at the photos they post.

Don't be afraid to screw up and jump in.

I started just putting handles on kit blades (still doing that, too) and a number of folks here said I had the handles down and it was time to grind a blade. I finally did it even tho I was concerned about the criticism. The comments I have received have been very nice, even the criticism which hasn't been bad.
 
daveinvegas said:
I will; the hidden pins were way too much trouble.

I did enjoy doing these and I'll certainly make more as time allows, but I must say making 1911 grips is much easier.
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Man I'm not so sure about that - I think making knives is a whole lot easier than making pistol grips. :D But that's gratifying too.

Great looking knives Dave! Keep it up. I like hidden pins but they are a pain. I think they were worth the effort on these (since it was your effort ;)).
 
ddavelarsen said:
Man I'm not so sure about that - I think making knives is a whole lot easier than making pistol grips. :D But that's gratifying too.

Great looking knives Dave! Keep it up. I like hidden pins but they are a pain. I think they were worth the effort on these (since it was your effort ;)).
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One of the things I noticed about grinding blades, making handles and grips is that it is all somewhat the same thing (at least to me) because I do most of the work by eye even tho I would prefer to be able to use jigs and automation and such for accuracy. Sometime I create a solid model of things like knives with AutoCAD so I can see how it will turn out before I start. I also use templates that I make with CAD for sheaths and holsters. It's a compulsive thing. I made templates for the two file blades before I started on them using CAD.

But I have been making grips for a number of years for 1911s and High Standard derringers. I'm used to making them so at this point it seems easier to me.
 
Nice work.

I like the 2 color wood idea but agree that one should be a bolster. I have some padauk and purple heart I want to try this with.

My very first knife was a file knife and nowhere near as nice as those; I want to try another file knife and see if I can make something a little nicer than my first one.

What is your method for doing the hidden pins? I just glued one up last night and I thought it was pretty easy.

I drill the holes in the tang, then hold or clamp a scale to the tang, drill one hole in the scale put in a pin to hold the scale in place then drill the other hole and repeat with the other scale. then use two short pins to hold the scales together to shape the front, then use the correct length pins and pin them to the tang and rough shape, then glue them up.
 
69_knives said:
Nice work.

I like the 2 color wood idea but agree that one should be a bolster. I have some padauk and purple heart I want to try this with.

My very first knife was a file knife and nowhere near as nice as those; I want to try another file knife and see if I can make something a little nicer than my first one.

What is your method for doing the hidden pins? I just glued one up last night and I thought it was pretty easy.

I drill the holes in the tang, then hold or clamp a scale to the tang, drill one hole in the scale put in a pin to hold the scale in place then drill the other hole and repeat with the other scale. then use two short pins to hold the scales together to shape the front, then use the correct length pins and pin them to the tang and rough shape, then glue them up.
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Thanks for your comments.

I used pretty much the same technique as you described for my pins. I don't think I will do that again.

I'd love to see your knife when you use the Padauk and Purpleheart.
 
Blade: spring steel from ANZA KNIVES

Bolster: carbon fiber

Handle: cocobolo

Spacer: brick red

Pins: 1/8" brass

Mitre on handle

Slight taper from blade to rear; not too fat.

Ya'll are pushing my abilities here and I'll NEVER work with carbon fiber again!
 

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Man you're really on a roll! That looks great, Dave!

Since I've never used carbon fiber, can you tell me why it was so difficult? I'm scared of the dust, but what else about it? Thanks!
 
ddavelarsen said:
Man you're really on a roll! That looks great, Dave!

Since I've never used carbon fiber, can you tell me why it was so difficult? I'm scared of the dust, but what else about it? Thanks!
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THE DUST. BE AFRAID, VERY AFRAID!

Even tho I wore a respirator I could still smell the dust so I tucked a towel under the respirator to further filter the dust.

I don't like it. Now there is carbon dust everyplace. Gonna have to really clean up. That's all I need is to get that $#!t in my lungs.

BTW, Thanks, I appreciate it.
 
I can sure dig that. I have a beard, so a normal dust mask does nothing for me and I haven't yet been able to afford a positive pressure mask. Soon though... Thanks Dave.
 
ddavelarsen said:
I can sure dig that. I have a beard, so a normal dust mask does nothing for me and I haven't yet been able to afford a positive pressure mask. Soon though... Thanks Dave.
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The beard! That's probably what happened. My beard was black. It hasn't been black in a decade. I had to shower twice to get all the dust off.

In my opinion it's nasty stuff.

O'Neill, Frank, Terry, Mike . . . where are yoose guys? ;)
 
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