Knife #20 - New Concepts/Learning Process

Erin Burke

Erin Burke

KnifeMaker...ish
Joined
May 19, 2003
Messages
1,330
Hey guys... I've been sitting on this one for awhile. I was really excited about trying some new things... but translating them from my head to reality was trickier than I had planned. I made a few mistakes along the way, but ended up with a knife that I liked enough to see through to completion. Because of the problems, however, this is one that stays with me.

First the concept drawing.
6070021611_15ded73a5f_o.jpg


Guess this would be a small O-Kissaki tanto.

And here's what I came up with.

Some Stats:
Length: 11"
Blade: 6-1/2" (tip to tsuba)
Steel: Differentially heat-treated ~3/16" W2 (from Don Hanson) Flat-Ground
Handle: WSSI Stabilized Thuya wrapped in epoxied paracord
"Tsuba"/Guard: W2
Habaki Panels: Copper

6069965553_0c813895c4_o.jpg


I learned some stuff on this knife that will definitely help me out on future projects.
Erin
 

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Wow. I really like that one, Erin. You're definitely inspiring me to start my wheels moving again.

Tremendous job! By all means...keep trying new stuff, because you're coming up with some dazzlers!

--nathan
 
Very cool. Nice subtle hamon, way out-of-the-box habaki, cool swedge.

Hell, looks good with the book and teapot, too. Fitting.
 
Wow guys... all the positive feedback has me drawing the following conclusions:
  1. The design is a good one.
  2. My photo isn't clear enough to make out the problem areas. ;)
The main issues that I have with this knife do show up in the image... though maybe not clearly. Probably most bothersome is the fact that the swedge (on the side pictured) encroaches into the primary bevel. This was just carelessness on my part; poor grinder control combined with a 36-grit belt running mach 2. My plunges are atrocious... it's much easier to see in person (or in the RAW image from my camera zoomed in 10X). :eek: :D The angle of the "yokote" line is off slightly. Being a long o-kissaki, the yokote is 99.9% cosmetic; made by differing the polishing technique for that section of the blade. It's just off by 1-2degrees, but it is enough to disrupt the flow in my eyes. I'm also a little disappointed that the handle pin didn't end up hidden behind the wrap as I had planned. Visualizing a wrap a dozen steps ahead of time is an art I have yet to perfect.;)


Salem Straub said:
Hell, looks good with the book and teapot, too. Fitting.
Click to expand...

Oh man... I used the teapot in a knife photo once before (for my very first knife). I knew that it would be perfect for this knife and color palate, but I couldn't find it anywhere. So I had to call my wife (who was out blueberry picking with the kids). Turns out the pot was in the bottom of the kid's toy box (of course). I never did find the lid (of course). :yawn: The book is just a cheap notebook (probably from Borders).

Again, I'm super appreciative of all the positive feedback. I guess I won't give up... a least not today. :p;)

Erin
 
Honestly, the swedge into the main bevel doesn't bother me in the least. It looks like a panned occurrence and creates an almost "barbed" look while maintaining an unbroken flowing profile. Honestly, I had to google what a yokote line was :D, but I see where you're referring to. As for the plunges, well, they look good from a distance :).

Remember that you're your own worst critic. And that's how it should be. If you weren't worried about your perceived flaws, then you're not striving for the best work you can do.

I still like it.

--nathan
 
Erin Burke said:
Probably most bothersome is the fact that the swedge (on the side pictured) encroaches into the primary bevel. This was just carelessness on my part; poor grinder control combined with a 36-grit belt running mach 2. My plunges are atrocious... it's much easier to see in person (or in the RAW image from my camera zoomed in 10X). :eek: :D The angle of the "yokote" line is off slightly. Being a long o-kissaki, the yokote is 99.9% cosmetic; made by differing the polishing technique for that section of the blade. It's just off by 1-2degrees, but it is enough to disrupt the flow in my eyes. I'm also a little disappointed that the handle pin didn't end up hidden behind the wrap as I had planned. Visualizing a wrap a dozen steps ahead of time is an art I have yet to perfect.;)

Erin
Click to expand...

Those aren't flaws, they are features (Marketing 101) ;)
 
I have no idea what the different parts are called, but I really like the look of the copper plate added there. That handle is cool. Do you have any pics of the handle before you wrapped it?
 
Railrider1920 said:
I have no idea what the different parts are called, but I really like the look of the copper plate added there. That handle is cool. Do you have any pics of the handle before you wrapped it?
Click to expand...

Railrider,
This is the handle pre-HT (before the slots were cleaned up and the tang-hole was added).
5985345361_0f11333d93_z.jpg
 
silver_pilate said:
Remember that you're your own worst critic. And that's how it should be. If you weren't worried about your perceived flaws, then you're not striving for the best work you can do.

--nathan
Click to expand...

I agree.

The only thing I can add is that I always love seeing your knives; they always appear very precisely executed.

David Sharp
Sharpwerks
 
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