Knife #5 Finished - Bowie?... Fighter?

Erin Burke

Erin Burke

KnifeMaker...ish
Joined
May 19, 2003
Messages
1,330
I wrapped-up work on my fifth knife yesterday and was able to get a few decent photos.

This is my longest blade to date, and my first with a guard (rather than bolsters). This is also my first knife-build using good sandpaper. :thumbup:

Some Stats:
Length: 12-5/8"
Blade: 6-5/8" (tip to plunge)
Steel: 3/16" 1095 (from Kelly Cupples)
Clay-Treated w/ hamon, Flat-Ground w/ tapered-tang
Handle: Stabilized/dyed Maple Burl w/ 416ss pins
Guard: 416ss w/ copper spacer & (4) 416ss pins

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The hamon does not show up in the photos as prominently as I had hoped it would... but you get the idea. If you are interested, you can check out the WIP for this project HERE.

I am very happy with how this one turned out... but let me know what you think.:)

Erin
 
Very nice. The title of that book cracks me up. I guess that's why you need such a long knife.
 
Erin,

If that is your 5th knife, I'm truly impressed. Many folks will never make a knife that nice. Great work.....hope to see more.

Bob
 
Thanks for the comments everyone.

Edro20 said:
The title of that book cracks me up. I guess that's why you need such a long knife.
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You know... I didn't really pay much attention to the title. I was just looking for a book that was the right size and color to compliment the photo. I've had several people point it out to me though. :D


bobbywett said:
Erin,

If that is your 5th knife, I'm truly impressed. Many folks will never make a knife that nice. Great work.....hope to see more.

Bob
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Bob,

It is, in fact, by 5th completed knife. It is actually the eighth knife I started. So my actual knifemaking chronology would look something like this:

Started Finished
Knife #1 Junk Pile
Knife #2 Knife #1
Knife #3 Knife #4
Knife #4 Knife #2
Knife #5 Junk Pile
Knife #6 Knife #3
Knife #7 Not Finished Yet
Knife #8 Knife #5 (this knife)

I put steel to grinder for the first time in February of this year. I am happy with my progress. I think one of the biggest factors to any success that I am having is that I was given the opportunity to spend a day with one of the talented knifemakers on this forum. I'm not going to mention his name 'cause I wouldn't want his head to swell to the size of his anvil.:p


strahd71 said:
good job Erin! I'm still trying to make something recognizable as a knife.

jake
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Thanks Jake... knifemaking is hard isn't it. :eek: Give a person new respect for Bruce Bumps of the world...:D

All...
Please feel free to comment on anything you can see that needs improvement or any skill that I need to work on (on this or any of my other knives). I can already tell you, my false edges need a lot of work. My hollow-grinding is a bit rough as well. Pointers, tips, tricks and advice are always welcome.

Erin
 
Incredible! Awesome design. Clearly, a lot of thought went into it. I would be proud to own it if it were mine.

.
 
Like the knife a lot! Amazingly good for your 5th knife. Absolutely love your photo composition!
 
Erin , the knife is beautiful . I really love the wood choice , that along with the tapered tang looks great . Just one thought from me , the edge on the finger guard look sharp . I think I might have buffed them a little to smooth them out , buy I could be wrong .

Also , I assumed your wife gave you that book to read .
 
ONeill said:
Erin , the knife is beautiful . I really love the wood choice , that along with the tapered tang looks great . Just one thought from me , the edge on the finger guard look sharp . I think I might have buffed them a little to smooth them out , buy I could be wrong .

Also , I assumed your wife gave you that book to read .
Click to expand...

Thanks Jack... I sorted through my collection of scales to find a pairing that would work well together. It came down to a choice between this set and a pair of desert ironwood scales. I'd seen a lot of ironwood lately... but not much blue. In the end, I figured tha the blue would look good against a satin finish guard and that the un-dyed Burl "eyes" would compliment the copper accent on the guard.

The guard is quite comfortable. While corners of the guard are (next to the index finger) are quite square aesthetically, there is enough rounding that it feels really good in-hand. I do think that there is much room for improvement in my guard-shaping skills.

Thanks again.

Erin
 
Beautiful knife. I'm jealous. Aside from the obvious hard work and attention to detail, you have a real talent for this. I need to get on the stick.
 
Erin , of course this is just me again and maybe many will disagree . But you did ask and I cannot believe how fast and far you have come in such a short time . You definitely got the bug and the patience .

Look at the side shot of pic #2 and the transition of the handle to the finger groove and guard . They do not flow together . Just my thoughts only .

Good lord for knife # 5 , I think I might have to start not liking you . Keep it up and you will soon be scaring Nickie . I read you are looking to going back soon for a day , hope I can join you 2 .
 
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