Making my first knife.thread

Thanks everyone. I am sure these "made my first knife" threads can get repetitive, but I appreciate all the kind words and advice that I received throughout this build. Much of it will have to be used on the next project, as the mistakes were already made. But now I have a strategy to not make them again.

Also I must say I have new respect for all the knife makers out there. Every step was more challenging than I expected. Working with stainless blade steel is time consuming to say the least. May have to try carbon steel next, but I'd still have to send out for heat treat.

Lessons Learned
  • Make the edge thinner before heat treat. Spent too much time thinning hardened steel, but I was afraid of warping. But after hardening, then I'm afraid of overheating.
  • Buy more belts. I did alright on only 2 knives with a single belt of a few grits, but my 220 grit needed to be trashed after these 2.
  • Take it slow(er). Got too excited to grind the swedge and did not come out how I wanted.
  • Stag is heavy. Should have drilled a few more lightening holes in the tang, as balance is still very handle heavy.
  • Hand sanding hides mistakes. Really useful for a noob, where a belt finish will look a little uneven.
  • Ask questions before you try something your not sure of. May prevent a big mistake that will be hard to fix later. I did it both ways with this knife... Before was better.
 
For swedges I lay them out as I would a bevel, and grind either on a contact wheel or Platten (depending on the specific blade). I'll also grind then with the knife vertical, in line with the rotation of the belt. Something that just takes practice and developing a feel for it. Stag handles definitely required significant weight relief, I'll generally drill out some in addition to tapering the tang.
Overall great work for your first!
 
Project completed... well half of it. I have not decided what to use on the Bowie knife handles.

I finished up the knife for my Dad just in time to give it to him as a late Father's Day gift when I see him next weekend. I made the sheath as well. Here it is sharpened and ready to go.



 
I'd call that a well thought out and usable knife by anyone's standards
Well done!

My first knife was also far, far worse than that
 
Well done! As others have said most first attempts are far worse. I would be proud of those.
 
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