Making my first knife.

Bigfattyt

Bigfattyt

Gold Member
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Jun 23, 2007
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Hi all, here are some pics of my first attempt at making a knife. I decided to make a large camp/chopper.
First off I need to thank Jarod of JT custom knives (on this forum). I happened to be in his neck of the woods and I got in touch with him to try and get a piece of steel from him. He invited me over. He not only supplied me with some great steel, but he spend the entire day with me helping me with this. I drew the shape, and ground the shape out. Then he had me start grinding the bevels. Of course he had to fix my bevel grinds. Every time he had it looking good, I would mess the grind up. So any dips or marks you see are from me learning. Jarod is a good guy, and sat out in the cold with me for most of the day talking and showing me things.
The steel is 5160 (from the buy here). Over all length slightly over 19 inches. 1/4 inch thick stock. Full height flat grind on the blade. (I realize that the handle holes are not perfectly spaced or straight. I did not measure too well. )

The specs are 11 inch edge. 8 inch handle (including the finger choil).
tell me what you think. I need to find a place to heat treat and then finish it up. I am planning on making my own green canvas micarta for the handle, and eventually making my own sheath.

it will be a while till I get it finished, but I made a good start I think.

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Thanks, the funny thing is it does not feel that heavy (due to the full height flat grind). I am itching to chop something after I get it finished.

Where is College Place WA? I am from Moses Lake originally, and live in Spokane for now.
 
That's a heck of a start! Usually, they suggest to start with something small...:D It's obviously a good thing you didn't listen to this piece of advice! Please, keep on grinding!
 
Ok, you said first knife. Where is it? I only see a small sword here. ;)

Very nice start, much better than mine. Can't wait to see the progress pics.

Thanks for sharing.

Pad
 
thats great work. I plan to make my first knife, a folder, out of wood.

the handle is a bit too big no?

great!
 
BlazenGem said:
thats great work. I plan to make my first knife, a folder, out of wood.

the handle is a bit too big no?

great!
Click to expand...

I made it big on purpose. I can choke up with a finger in the choil, hold it right behind the choil, or move my hand down the handle for stronger chopping. I can also get almost a full 2 handed grip with a finger in the choil and my last pinkie resting on the last bump. Seems comfortable with lots of different grip positions.
We will have to see how it feels with handle scales on it.
But yes, it is big. My hands are a tight fit in XXL gloves, but my fingers are not that long.
 
defaultuser said:
That's a heck of a start! Usually, they suggest to start with something small...:D It's obviously a good thing you didn't listen to this piece of advice! Please, keep on grinding!
Click to expand...

well, the only reason it worked is because Jarod was there to help me. other wise it would have ended up with only a handle, after grinding the whole blade down to a nub to fix my bevel mistakes. I was amazed on how fast the belt grinder removed material with a 64 grit (60 something grit at least) belt. I can't imagine people who use grit in the 30's that is just scary.
 
oh yeah!! Maybe round out that "V" in the grip area so it wont tighte down on your first finger when not using the cutout choil...
 
blgoode said:
oh yeah!! Maybe round out that "V" in the grip area so it wont tighte down on your first finger when not using the cutout choil...
Click to expand...

ya, I am trying to figure out the best way to do that. I have some new files, including round ones. I shaped out that handle with the belt grinder, thus the sharp angle. I should have used the same tiny grinder I used for the choil to make those rounder. I am worried about stress risers at those points too.
 
Great looking knife!

I'm working on my first one and I'll have it posted soon. It is tough when you don't have the right equipment. Looking forward to building my NWKG and making something proper.
Jason
 
i just had to pop in and say hi. it was a very fun day working with someone that loves knives like i do.
 
college place is the adventist community next door to walla walla. I am also in Spokane. on the north side. interested in getting together? (for knife making! =)
 
WOW!! You know what they say bout guys with big knives right??





They have big sheathes! Okay enough with my corny humor, lookin awesome.
 
724wd said:
college place is the adventist community next door to walla walla. I am also in Spokane. on the north side. interested in getting together? (for knife making! =)
Click to expand...

I don't have any knife making equipment. That was accomplished thanks to Jarod, of JT custom knives. We met up in Provo and he let me use his equipment (Thanks Jarod). I still need to work on heat treating it, and making handles, finish work etc.
 
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