Journeyman Smith Test Knives

Joined
Mar 17, 2009
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Its been awhile since I have posted anything on the Forum. I’ve been focusing most of my knife making time working on knives for ABS Journeyman Smith test for this upcoming June. Below are three knives that I have finished so far. I have four more I am going to finish and then pick the best five from the group to take to Atlanta.

Hope you enjoy.
Ken

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Looks great, but are you allowed to present a subhilt as one of your JS test knives??

Marcel
 
Marcel,

I had not considered that an issue. I will make sure it is allowed before I submit it.

Ken
 
Hello Ken. Some nice looking knives. I wish you luck. As far as I can find out there is nothing stating that you cannot submit a sub-hilt as a test knife. Very good idea to have more than five knives to bring with you. Also if you have not already done so, I would strongly urge you to have a Mastersmith look at your knives and critique them before the show. I look forward to seeing you in Atlanta.
Brion
 
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They look clean.
The handles on your second and third are especially well done in my opinion.
I agree with Brion, let at least one MS take a good look at them.
 
Ken, Good luck with the test. I hope to make it over to the show this year, I just got to stop buying all the knives I like lol!!
 
Hi Ken. Knives look pretty good. You can definitely test with a sub-hilt. You just can't have any damascus on the knife whatsoever - and you don't. You're good. One comment, if I may, is that the guard on the fighter looks a little thick. You won't fail from it, but if the thinnest part of the guard is thicker than the blade, they might ding you a tad. If you did it on all five knives, that might be bad.

Good luck and have fun in Atlanta.

-M
 
Best of luck Ken!!! :) Looks to me like you're well on your way buddy. :)

I was going to say the same thing Michael did--- My two cents would be to thin down the lugs/finger guards on the fighter to about half or even just a third of their current thickness. It will really help overall balance... both physical and visual (IMHO). :) I really like the design and execution that I can see in the photo, I just think thinner lugs would tie it all together more. :thumbup:
 
Well I have finished the seven knives I have been working on for the JS test. As you may notice, I have made some changes to several of the handles and guards. Of these seven the bottom left will not be in the final five that I submit. At this point I’m not sure which other one I will drop out of the group.

Best Regards,
Ken

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Here are a few close ups.
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Looking good. The guards look much better, now. Done the thumbnail test yet? (ICYDK, push the the handle down on a table and lightly score your thumbnail with the tip. Flip the knife over and if your blade is straight in the handle, the tip should score very, very close to first line.) This is something that the judges might do, so that little test might also help you decide which knives to test with.

Good luck.
-M
 
those look great, good luck on the test...see you there :) J ps ken no table number?? are we going to have to get you on the way out of the judging to handle those beauties?
 
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Thanks everyone for the comments and feedback. No table for me this year, getting these ready and my day job did not leave any time to focus on putting a display together. There is all way next year.

See ya a Blade,
Ken
 
Very nice spread. They look a+. I am testing also and I did get a testers table but I almost kinda wish I wouldn't have, that means I wont get to go visit with every one , and check out all the supply's, you would probably feel the same way so you may be ahead of the game. LOL Good luck Brother
 
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