Just finished my 2nd one

Mark Van Loon · Jun 1, 2003

This is my second completed knife, steel is 1084, clay coated and water quenched, hand rubbed finish, guard is nickel silver, spacer is water buffalo, handle is bocote with an oil finish, fasteners are loveless style.

heres a little better picture of the hamon

another

last one

Please post comments and critiques, i still made some mistakes on this one but i think its a little better than my first, hopefully with all the help im getting here i will continue to improve.

Mike Hull · Jun 1, 2003

Looks good, especially for a second knife.

fitzo · Jun 1, 2003

You've done well, and no doubt the third will be even better.

Since you asked for critiques, I'm gonna mention just one thing:
in the photos, it appears as if your plunge cut goes all the way acrossed to the top of the blade. It is a little more aesthetically pleasing if there is just the slightest radius to that line where it meets the spine. It also can create a stress where a blade will snap if sadly used as a prybar. That said, plunges are a s.o.b, and people who've made a thousand knives still screw some up. We just don't get to see 'em!

I call em "bucket knives" for where they live in my shop.

All I can say, is, though, keep it up. Sure beats hell outta the second knife I ever did. You are learning quickly, and are using some advanced techniques early on in the learning curve! Congrats!

Mark Van Loon · Jun 1, 2003

yeah i did go through the spine on this one, same as my first, ive got 2 more ready for heat treat right now and the plunge cuts on those are much nicer, a very small radius right before the spine.

J. Neilson · Jun 1, 2003

Very nice. I like the overall shape of the handle especially. You even picked out my favorite handle wood. Makes my second knife look like crap. Keep it up!

itrade · Jun 1, 2003

Mark,

That's a sweet knife! Love the hamon. Gee I wish I could heat treat.

Second knife - wow.

Steve

Andrew Lynch · Jun 2, 2003

Sweet!!

I can't believe that's #2!

ddavelarsen · Jun 2, 2003

Wow Mark that looks great! You tried some of the hardest stuff you can do on your second knife, and pulled it off winningly. Takes some major huevos, dude, congratulations! I like your flat grind and a nice job bringing up the hamon. My second knife looked positively lame in comparison! Thanks for sharing and keep it up.

Dave