Just finished a few

[lratclif]

Just finished these three knives, let my know what you guys think. Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, my photography skills are not that great and the blades all have some oil and fingerprints on them that were cleaned up prior to delivery but after the pics so sorry for the dirty knives. Thanks for looking guys!

 

[vollertron]

they are all really nice looking. the second one is very creative. fantastic job on the traction cutouts

 

[lratclif]

Thanks, I stole that blade design from an old skinner that my dad has but changed the handle to what I think is something a little more ergonomic, the thumb groves were done with my porta-band.

 

[lratclif]

Anything else guys, I'm trying to improve and the best way I know how is to draw on the expertise here, I appreciate all honest opinions.

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

Keep with it. How many blades have you made so far? I remember my first knife was REALLY rough. But the learning process is really fun.

I like the first one the best, although I think I'd like it better with the tip profile of the third. For some reason, it doesn't feel right to me, I think because the curve is a little flatter than is my normal preference for a drop point. I like the top of the handle on the first one the best as well. It looks to me like you just rounded off the edges on the handle scales. Do you do any more shaping? I remember hearing a bladesmith saying once that a good knife is like a good woman, lots of curves that are pleasing to the eye and hand...

 

[lratclif]

Keep with it. How many blades have you made so far? I remember my first knife was REALLY rough. But the learning process is really fun.

I like the first one the best, although I think I'd like it better with the tip profile of the third. For some reason, it doesn't feel right to me, I think because the curve is a little flatter than is my normal preference for a drop point. I like the top of the handle on the first one the best as well. It looks to me like you just rounded off the edges on the handle scales. Do you do any more shaping? I remember hearing a bladesmith saying once that a good knife is like a good woman, lots of curves that are pleasing to the eye and hand...

These mark #s 17-19, the first one is my favorite as well, I remember screwing up the tip while cutting it out and profiling it but not sure where I screwed up and really how much it affected it. I have had the critique about the curves and although the pictures dont show it the first two handles do not have a flat surface, the last one is the only one you can really see the curves and that one has flat sides. The last one is not my design it is something that a family member wanted and they really wanted the sides straight with a rounded off top and bottom to the handle. It fits the hand well but now that I have been really giving my handles curves it just didnt look right. Thanks for looking.

 

[TacticalSavage]

ooooh love the first and second ones. is that spalted maple on the first one?
i like what you did with the handle on the second one, it's like a schrade old timer but way more ergonomic.

 

[lratclif]

ooooh love the first and second ones. is that spalted maple on the first one?
i like what you did with the handle on the second one, it's like a schrade old timer but way more ergonomic.

All the blades are 1095, the first handle is spalted hackberry that was stabilized. The second knife was an old skinner that my dad had and he wanted an updated version of it with really nice figured walnut handle. The one that he has has a brass finger guard and more of a cigar shaped handle so I change the blade to work without the finger guard and changed the handle to something more ergonomic. The only problem with it is while it is really comfortable in the hand with a full fist grip with your thumb on the spine any other grip is slightly cumbersome.