Knife Game

Roger worked his buns off on this blade, and Dan's a tireless teacher. I'm once again in their debt. Truly,a great time spent with knifemakers!

The thing that impresses me most about Roger is his eye for the overall design, and his determination to bring his design to fruition. If I could manage to absorb just a portion of his sense of form, my knives would be improved a thousandfold!

Lynn, Karl, watch out... this challenge may end up with a three way tie!:cool:
 
Let me remind folks that this is NOT a contest. This is not to see who can make the best knife out of these materials.
That's why it's entitled - "Knife Game".
It's just a game.
When I devised this little plan, I just wondered what three different people of differing levels of accomplishment and influence would come up with from the same materials.
No winners, no losers.
This is more an example of the way people might "think" with the same materials, as opposed to how fancy they can get.
That's why I asked Roger to not let Dan do any of the work for him, but rather just let him use his shop, and maybe "tweak" him when it came time for heat treatment and so forth.
Otherwise, it becomes a "game" with Dan.
It's not a contest or a challenge of abilities.
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
I guess by "finger prints" I meant that Dan isn't supposed to be doing any of your work for you!
Just maybe looking over your shoulder.
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Don't worry Karl - when you see the vestigial remains of the 2" line that can be seen on the blade, your concern for Dan's fingerprints will quickly evaporate. :p

Okay - dudes and dudettes, another massive photo update for you all.

Link to the gallery for the bandwidth-impaired: http://www.fototime.com/inv/461ED5EA2E0DC26

When we last checked in, forging, heat treating, rough grinding and final grinding were all done, which left the story right about here:

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Which meant it was time for some real grunt work - otherwise known as the hand-rubbed satin finish. Last time I did this - when Dan, Matt and I made the Mojo camp knife, we had a three man rotation on the rubbing. I have two blistered thumbs that say there was no rotation this time 'round.

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The underside of the ricasso is always a tricky spot because you have little room to manouver. And because of the whole risk of impalement thing. I'm about one cheesburger away from some real difficulty here.

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For you eagle-eyes out there, no, the edge hadn't yet been rolled on in the above photo.

And here we are at 600 grit. Which is where the hell we'll stay, 'cause my arms feel like they're going to fall off. And because I think it looks pretty darned good. And because I'm building what will be a working knife.

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This is the first knife that has ever had my name (alone) on it - and I am pretty tickled. So, did I get a stamp? Nope. Did I get a template for etching? Nope (but I will). So how did my maker's mark get there??

Guesses??

I drew it on freehand and Dan enngraved it in. :D Oh no - finger prints!

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After that, I got the wrought iron guard blank slotted, fitted and soldered on, and the bakelite handle block drilled out (stinkeroo!), scraped out and epoxied on. All that remains is shaping the handle and guard. I could have taken it further, but decided I would try to get some practice in by making something out of the backup blade - which had been bedeviled by Murphy's Law from the word go. It turned into a pretty cool and definitley kinda funky knife that I absolutely love. But that will be a tale for another thread.

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And before I go to bed, I don't want to forget the traditional thread diversion. On the last visit, during some of the heat-treating downtime, Dan suggested I kill a little time making a knife for my daughter. So I did.

This one would be stock removal, though. First, I selected a nice bar of tight ladder damascus (otherwise known as curly maple) from which I profiled the blade:

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Some ebony scales (contoured, of course) completed the little package. The smile is what really counts:

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Until next time.

Roger

PS - Matt - you are too kind - your knives rock. In fact, Sting played an inspirational role in the backup blade. ;)
 
Looks like it's going to be something to be
justly proud of. I like that mark too...

A very fortunate Dad indeed...!
 
VERY COOL Roger!!!! :thumbup: :cool:


I'm glad you made it back to Dan's as planned. You sure can make good progress. I need to have you over to show me how to optimize shop time!

Question: How are you going to treat the wrought iron now that it's got a blade soldered in front of it and a handle glued behind it? (assuming you're going to do something like etch the WI).

Thanks for keeping us updated Roger! (another thing I could use lessons on, lol).

Guys, I told Roger I'm glad he'll have big knives at the house when the boys come a knock'n. That's one gorgeous little girl.
 
Going to be a great looking knife. Laying down that 600 finish is a lot harder than it looks isn't it?
Beautiful little girl. At about that age they are always interested in what their Dads are interested in. You are a lucky man. :thumbup:
 
Roger,

Great progress,good looking finish, and that grind line looks better and better...but point that blade away from you when you're working on the bottom of the ricasso.. it's OK if your absolutely beautiful little girl "stabs you right in the heart", not so good if you do it to yourself for real!

John
 
RogerP said:
Photos, blah, blah, blah, 600 grit finish, blah, blah, blah, handle progress, bla blah, blah...

Here's MY DAUGHTER.....! :eek: :thumbup:
Click to expand...
No question what rang our chimes, Roger.

Glad you are enjoying your project. Daddy's little girl knows this, too. :thumbup: :D

Coop
 
Coop - that cracked me up, man. :D She does tend to steal the show. Thanks to all as well - she's a great kid and I do consider myself most fortunate.

Nick - good question on the etch - I am wide open to suggestions. I am not looking for a deep etch, and was thinking about taping of the flats of the guard (and the blade, of course) and just painting on something mild to the sides of the guard only.

Kevin - you're right about it being harder than it looks. Of course, the better you are on the grinder, the easier time you will have in the sanding. And the hardest part is getting it hand sanded from 220 through to 400. The progressive steps between grits gets easier thereafter.

Karl and Lin - looking forward to seeing yours. It will be an honour to have my knife displayed among such company. Thanks again to Karl for the inclusion.

Roger
 
Roger, what your daughter needs now is a pointer-puppy. I know where you can get one cheap... you just need to pay for Monster drinks!;):D

...I can't wait to hear the story about how Sting ties in too all this... which is still without handles, of course. Most of the house chores are done, so hopefully soon!

Sorry I couldn't make it this time around, but it's a good thing I didn't play hooky from my house maintenance schedule to join you - we got 4 inches of snow last night!
 
Roger,
I know this is no contest and I'm sure glad after seeing what you got started.:thumbup::D Your doing great!

I'm really looking forward to getting started. I bought a brand new drawing pad today and I'll put it to good use on this one. This is getting good! I'm glad you thought of this Karl.
Lin:)
 
What a way to start my day, and your daughter is a GEM!
Can I say I love this thread?
This is what I call fun.
Thanks, Roger. That is going to be a kick-butt knife!
Can't wait to get started on my own.
With Lin and Roger, I'm in the best company imagineable.
 
Roger, great work...I look forward to the endresult.

Very beautiful kid indeed...so for sure she must take after her mother:D;) My daughter is almost 14 years old now and into Metallica, Nightwish, Slipknot and what not :D so cherish what you have right now my friend.

Marcel
 
she sure looks a lot like her old man:)
Mine's 4, and I just have to brag for a second that she's mastered a pedal bike within the past couple of weeks. Kids are so good for you!

Your knife is shaping up really nicely:thumbup:
 
Roger I still havent seen your knife...for some reason my browser goes right to your daughters pic. You are one lucky guy to have such a pretty young lady as your daughter. I have three sons...and have always had a soft spot in my heart for girls, If the fates had allowed I would have loved to have been the father of a girl.....sigh...oh well maybe grandchildren someday.


lucky bastid...Im sure you know it..

carry on with the game now...( I actually did see your knife...amazing...job:thumbup:
 
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