Knifes # 2,3 and 4 complete

[Bladegunner]

My holiday collection is done these are going to be gifts to my wife's sister's. I could have done some more work on the blades with sanding and what not. My grinding just flat out sucks so I have some work to do on that next year. The wood handles are locally sourced mesquite the other is Micarta. first handle seemed a little small at least for my XXL hand so left the others bigger. Steel is 1084 I know there not works of art but the steel is hard and the blade is sharp so they will cut and hopefully hold a edge.

 

[Frank Niro]

You are getting there !!! Stay with it.
Frank

 

[3fifty7]

Keep it up !

I feel your pain trying to size a handle for someone with smaller hands compared to my paws. If I have a comfortable 3 finger grip on it, it's generally good.

 

[i4Marc]

#2,3 & 4 won't be perfect. The important thing is that you are trying and learning. You are doing a fine job.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Good progress.
Work on your sanding and finish level.
Switch to tow or three pins down the center. The pins close to the edge don't hold as firm, and can easily be over ground in handle shaping.

 

[Angus McGunnigle]

You are making functional knives......keep it up ! Each finished blade is a whole lot of learning.......good work. Do it again....

 

[milkbaby]

Good job, keep it up!

You'll probably be shocked how far you've come if you look at this pic again in a year's time. I know personally that I pretty much hate looking at everything that I made a year ago LOL.

 

[Bladegunner]

Thank you all for the encouragement it means a lot. At this point I don't think I have a lot of natural ability so I will have to work harder and smarter to compensate for that. I have one more chef's knife to make for a friend I used to work with my first paying customer. I will only charge him for the materials as I know he only ordered the knife to help me out as I sharpen his knifes for free. I am really going to concentrate on the fit and finish on this next knife.

 

[i4Marc]

Bladegunner,

Don't be too hasty in your assessment of your natural talents. I and a lot of other makers are naturally artistic or have experience already making things with our hands with some success. But making knives will humble you nonetheless. We come into this thinking "yeah, I got this" but that attitude will lead to frustration and self doubt. Just be humble and open minded. Take every failure as a lesson. Every lesson is valuable. Try as hard as you can at every step but cut yourself some slack. Keep in mind the stage you are at and know that with every lesson learned the quality of your work will rise. And just have fun doing it.