My 7th knife. Lucky number 7, I think I finally got it right!

R

rjfm1972

Joined
Jan 13, 2013
Messages
221
I just finished my 7th knife. I'm not completely happy, as my sheath was supposed to have a double stitch that criss-crossed. I had an issue with the hole placement and had to change it to a single stitch. Other then that, I think it turned out real nice. The blade is forged, 52100. Amboyna burl scales. Blade is 3 1/2" long, knife is just over 7 1/2" overall. I tried doing something a little different, tapering the handle similarly to the blade from back to front. The spine is 1/4" thick at the back of the handle and only 1/8" thick at the front of the handle. It has a distal taper. Let me know what you all think of my design and fit and finish. I think everything came together really well on this one. Thanks!




 
That looks pretty good from here, and good pics too.

Sunlight and a real camera are so much better than blurry cell phone pics.


The only thing I can suggest is to finish out the edges of the sheath with dye and then

by burnishing them out with (edge kote)
 
Thanks everyone. 123, I have dyed the edges a good 5 times already, and it just keeps sucking it in and drying a lighter color. I am not sure what edge kote is, but I'll look it up!
 
So I looked it up. I used Fiebings Mahogany oil dye on the sheath, but I noticed the edge kote doesn't come in that color, only brown or dark brown. Should go with dark brown?
 
rjfm1972 said:
So I looked it up. I used Fiebings Mahogany oil dye on the sheath, but I noticed the edge kote doesn't come in that color, only brown or dark brown. Should go with dark brown?
Click to expand...

I'm no leather expert

Maybe just use they dye you used so it matches.

Then you can burnish the edge with an antler or plastic stick.

The Sheath forum will have more specific info
 
Go with brown. Dark brown is almost black. Brown is probably a shade darker than what you used for the sheath (Mahogany.)
 
I wouldn't use edge coat. Its basically just plastic paint. Your leather work is too nice for that. Just edge it with an edger (probably a #3 or #4) to partially round the edges and then burnish. You can dampen the edges and rub with a stick, canvas or an old piece of denim. Gum tragacanth also works very well for that if ya can find it but beeswax or paraffin works well too. You should be burnishing hard enough you are creating some heat. This is for the edges of the sheath that cover the blade. I'd leave the rest alone on this one but edge them prior to assembly on the next sheath ya make. Also consider creasing all edges that aren't sewn. That will give your work a real step up. Osborne makes good edgers and creasers and they aren't too spendy.
 
Forgot to mention very nice job on knife, leather and photos! Beautiful piece of wood.
 
Look nice,

Just burnish the edge of your sheath and leave it. It looks fine.
 
That's a great looking package:thumbup: Very nice.

Although I must admit, if there's one thing I've learned........after you make a couple hundred knives, you'll look back on the ones you thought were great and you'll say to yourself, "I can't believe I used to be so bad!" That's not to say anything bad about your seventh blade, which looks great! I think it's the nature of craftsmanship. If you have a passion for it you are always trying to improve and theoretically if you keep at it you will improve, so as time goes on your older work looks less and less attractive to you. It bugs me sometimes but that's just the nature of continuing down the path.

Stay at it and have fun!!
 
Jonny, I hear ya. I was really proud of my first knife. I thought it looked great, with just a few small issues. I look at it now, and almost don't want to let people see it. I think where I have most improved up to now is the shaping, fit and finish of the handles. I know there is no better teacher then experience, so I think I will be doing this for a long time to come.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top