- Joined
- Nov 7, 2007
- Messages
- 451
Id like to introduce myself to those I havent yet met. My name is Mark and I am trying to learn this amazing craft. I live in Bloomington Illinois and have been working in IT for about the last 13 years or so, and at 34, I know this makes me a late bloomer to knifemaking. I first got interested in this by accident. I was looking for something a little less cumbersome than my SAK to use at work. After searching production knives without finding anything I liked in my budget, I stumbled across found a few folder kits from one of the major suppliers and started tinkering. It wasnt long before I bought a few blank fixed blade kits (and a boatload of tools, abrasives, etc.) and found myself pretty well hooked. I had a lot of fun trying out different materials and making the knives somewhat unique. I find it exciting (and rather daunting) that there is so much to learn. My equipment is pretty much bargain basement quality, but you work with what you have. Right now Im limited to stock removal. I am currently renting and have no room to forge, but Im hoping this will change soon.
I would like to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to the forum members that have answered my questions along the way (directly or indirectly). Knife makers are a rare breed, and I am grateful that they are so willing to share their immense knowledge with the rest of us.
If we learn from our mistakes then Ive gotten a pretty good education over the last several weeks. These are the first two knives I finished out of six I initially ground and had heat treated. These were the final two I ground out of the six and it was pretty clear that the first 4 werent that good. I may finish them up anyway just to have a sharp knife at the workbench or in a survival kit etc.. Thats not to say these are great or anything, but they came out much better than the first four. These both have their fair share of problems, but Im fairly pleased with how they turned out. Ive started 3 more to use up the rest of my A2, and then Im going to try some other alloys. I have a fair amount of ATS34, a bit of thinner D2 and about 40 of 440C.
The first knife is a sort of mini chute knife made from 5/32 A2 with black and green G10 scales. The pins are stainless and the thong hole liner is aluminum.
Overall length is about 7 ½ with the blade being just over 3 3/4' tip to scales.
The second is a small chopper/camp/belt knife
from 3/16 A2 with buffalo horn scales and stainless corbys. 7 7/8 Overall and a 4 blade. The handle fits me pretty well, but is probably a bit on the small side.
I apologize for the photos (and for being so long-winded), I need a new camera and lighting setup.
-Mark
I would like to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to the forum members that have answered my questions along the way (directly or indirectly). Knife makers are a rare breed, and I am grateful that they are so willing to share their immense knowledge with the rest of us.
If we learn from our mistakes then Ive gotten a pretty good education over the last several weeks. These are the first two knives I finished out of six I initially ground and had heat treated. These were the final two I ground out of the six and it was pretty clear that the first 4 werent that good. I may finish them up anyway just to have a sharp knife at the workbench or in a survival kit etc.. Thats not to say these are great or anything, but they came out much better than the first four. These both have their fair share of problems, but Im fairly pleased with how they turned out. Ive started 3 more to use up the rest of my A2, and then Im going to try some other alloys. I have a fair amount of ATS34, a bit of thinner D2 and about 40 of 440C.
The first knife is a sort of mini chute knife made from 5/32 A2 with black and green G10 scales. The pins are stainless and the thong hole liner is aluminum.
Overall length is about 7 ½ with the blade being just over 3 3/4' tip to scales.
The second is a small chopper/camp/belt knife
from 3/16 A2 with buffalo horn scales and stainless corbys. 7 7/8 Overall and a 4 blade. The handle fits me pretty well, but is probably a bit on the small side.
I apologize for the photos (and for being so long-winded), I need a new camera and lighting setup.
-Mark
