Just finished this up....opinions? Are flats with mill scale finish ok.....or not?

Nice knife, Jonny! I am normally a hand-sandin' kinda guy but I make one model that I leave the mill scale and HT finish untouched on the flats and it has sold rather well. If you hang around the Gallery and/or Exchange, I think you will find that this type of look is popular with quite a lot of folks.

In general I would prefer more contrast (ie, don't beadblast the scale), but I think with this particular knife/handle scale combination what you have done with it looks great.
 
I like it, I've done something similar a couple times. As long as its clearly intentional and nothing messes it up (like a bare patch or something) it can look pretty good.
That's a really different blade shape for you from what I remember. A funky blend of old school bowie up front and modern high tech at the back.
 
Chuck Gedraitis Knives said:
I have done a few knives with similar finishes and I liked the contrast as well. I think that you might make your handle a little more rustic to match the scale on the blade. Maybe bead blast some CF to give it more grip and a duller finish.
Click to expand...

thats what i was thinking abuot
its a style thing that when you mix and match. sounds funny rolling off the tung "rustic finished carbonfiber" or "mirror finished rawhide wrap"

i like forge scale and or heavy HT blacking for contrast but on air hardening steels less your foil pack fails you should have a nice bright light grey HT finish

but again like chuck said its all about the style you are making and the price point you are shooting for. you brought up another maker that does that kind of finish but i i remember right he really pumps out the product (no problem with that its his biz plan an i thinkk its working ) whats your plan?
 
Jon, I'm glad you didn't take my comments personally! After all, my opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it :D

I can't argue one bit with the fellows saying it's up to the customer :thumbup:
 
I like the concept, maybe you could tweak the execution a bit. Have you tried a heavy abrasive blast on the flats, like 120 grit AO at 90 psi?
 
james terrio said:
Jonny, you asked, I'ma tell ya. I've tried similar ideas and have not been pleased with the results or how the knives sold. As a cost-saving measure, it simply doesn't hold up.

That knife is an excellent design; your grinds are crisp and clean, the handle is equally well-done. You've clearly put a great deal of thought and work into this knife!

The blotchy, rough, uneven flats are an absolute insult to the whole concept of handmade knives. Our job as handmade/custom knifemakers is to do better than the factories.
Click to expand...

I agree with James on this,I don't like mill finish,or forge finish left on knives.Just my opinion.I feel the same about scandi grinds.Apiece of steel with an edge put on it just looks unfinished to me.Un finished flats and ricassos also look like the knife is just half done.But more and more that seems to be the style.
What do I know.:o
Stan
 
Jonny I think someone else said it boils down to what the customer wants. I personally don't build safe queens, I build each and every knife in the hopes that the buyer will use it. Therefore I rarely go for a mirror finish. I don't think that differs with the concept of a custom knife,as just a mirror finish doesn't make custom knife. However some see it differently.

You really want to know what the customer thinks build two identical designs with two different finishes and see which one sells first. Ask the purchaser why he chose one over the other. Do this a few times and I think you'll find it comes down to consumer preference, not necessarily that one style is more liked. It depends on which customer walks up first as to which will sell first! I personally am not wild about Damascus, although it is highly sought by many. Show me two knives in the same style that I like one in Damascus, and one in plain steel I will probably choose the plain steel. It's all about preference.
 
A guy can go crazy bonkers trying to figure out the buying public. Once ya have your platen adjusted make 2 identical, one with and one without the scale. Go to a show and set em side by side on your table. Which one do people want to pick up and handle the most? Hold em from sale the first day, display only. But keep track. Day 2 they're for sale. Which one gets money in your pocket first? That'll help ya decide from a business standpoint. Personally,I'd like to see more contrast. Your work always has a strong, tough, utilitarian/practical look to me. Got all these knives but Johnny's is heading out to the desert with me kinda deal. Another thought, "look deeply Grasshopper." How do you feel about it? Pleasing the dude in the mirror is the most important part.
 
Holy cow. Dixie and I were thinking the same thing at the same time. He just types faster!
 
I personally really like forged flats..Lots of people around here do but I know its the blacksmith in me that likes it..Like this knife..
100_5108.jpg

100_5119.jpg
 
Hey jonny what grit is the grind on this one? I really like it, but It looks really coarse
Ness-Mac013.jpg

I really like it, but It looks really coarse
 
I like the finish, just as on forged knives I like to see the whole "Brute de forge" thing where the flats show the hammer marks and everything.
 
I like it it looks good all around I think as far as the flats go it's contrast thing that works for me keep up the good work.
 
I happen to like the as forged look easily as much as I like very refined finishes on a knife Johnny. Additionally, I like the look of the one with the millscale better than the satin one posted in this thread. Sex appeal and tool functionality sells knives better than specific finishes in my experience. You don't have to compete with CNC surface grinders in machine made knives to make pretty cutlery that sells. I just wanted state the obvious opposite opinion at least once. (Respectfully, of course JT.)
 
Jonny definitely offer a satin and mirror, and dont let a tooling issue stop from offering all your finishs on all your models!
Just my .02
Greg
 
I personally like it. I think that the finish needs to be matched up with the style of the blade and its intended use. A lot of my blades end up with dark pitting because of the material I use. If you were to leave the scale on it I would definitely use dark color scales. Maybe grey or silver liners with black micarta scales. That's just me though.
 
I like both, I think either one would be a home run for a customer.

Out of curiosity, what kind of media are you using for your blasting? I'm considering getting a table-top blasting cabinet this summer if I get into more stainless...
 
I just do not agree with Mr. Terrio. The knives of Jason Knight, Burt Foster, the Hanson knife pictured above, the Wolf Creek knife and hundreds of other makers successfully incorporating the "brute de forge" flats into their blades are certainly anything but an insult to handmade knives. I think it's quite the opposite. I feel that this is the pure essence of a handmade blade. A factory cannot produce this finish. There's something just pure, honest and organic to it. I believe it adds amazing contrast, and makes for a piece of unique artwork. I think it's beautiful.

I do not think these knives look unfinished. The pitting and forge scale sometimes make natural artwork all by itself. I think that is wonderful, and a shame to grind that away.

end art hippie rant.
 
There is a big difference between brut de forge and a stock removal knife showing raw barstock with mill scale on it. I admit my feelings on the matter are purely subjective, but (although not to my personal taste) hammer marks show the smith's hand work, and does have an appeal to many folks who specifically like forged, "rustic-looking" work. Leaving mill scale on the flats or leaving the bevels at a coarse grit on an obviously precisely-ground SR knife just seems... incomplete. Even, lazy.

As I mentioned, I asked about it and tried it a few months ago, specifically as a way to trim costs without sacrificing quality steel, etc. The savings is minimal. It just doesn't take that long to get things smooth and cleaned up to 400-grit*, and blades will tend to not only look better (opinion) but be easier to clean and resist corrosion better (fact).

I say all this with the utmost respect and humility. I'm not trying to convince anyone, just clarifying.

* I do grind my bevels and tapers first, then flatten/clean the ricasso/flats etc. That does save a little time and belt-wear.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top