Looking for some critique

[no.4shot]

Here are a couple I just finished. They are to be christmas gifts for the father and father in law. Made with a walnut and antler for the handle.

knife #1 a hunter with a full tang. "3 blade made from O1.





Knite #2 a hidden tang hunter. 4" blade made from O1.

 

[swonut]

First of all it looks good, but you asked for critiques.... so here it goes.

- Like me, it looks like you got tired of working on the blade finish and stopped too soon.

- The brass pommel looks a little too rough or has some weird lines.

-- Transitions look rough

-- using the antler as the bolster is bold, but I think it makes the knife too hard to pull off. Just too many variables and transitions.

Having said all that, it's a keeper and one I'm sure the recipient will be proud to own. I know I'd be grinning ear to ear every time I handled it, especially if my son-in-law not only gave it to me, but made it to boot.

 

[no.4shot]

Thank you. I really do appreciate the input. Especially when asking friends and family. They always seem to say something like it looks great. I want to know what people really think.

As far as the antler bolster its kinda a fun story. 20 years ago my dad went out west elk hunting. He wasn't successful but he did find a fresh shed. Fast forward 10 years we were making something together and we decided to us a piece of it. After that is grew to whenever we made something for each other or with each other we incorporate a piece. I would have rather have done the whole handle with it but over the years the supply has dwindled. It isn't something I would normally do either, but I only considered it because I doubt they will actually use them. More than likely they will be tucked away.

Thank you for taking the time to give me some guidance. It is truly appreciated.

 

[Matt Rochester]

Your dad will be happy, happy, happy to receive that knife. I would also try and take the grind higher and clean up the plunge next time. Make sure you do 90% of your grinding with fresh 50-60 grit belt. Once your bevel is flat and plunges clean start moving up in you grits. I'm not sure if you're using a grinder but if it's a 1x30 making a better platen will help. Looks pretty good though!