My first Bowie, celebrating 12 months of knife making

Fit and Finish is where knives really pop. You seem to understand that well and because of that this piece is great. I can see what shaving sharp means by the antler space on the left side. As an internet buyer that would spook me, but if I held it in person and it caused no issue then I might overlook that considering the rest of the blade. Presentations key though so it surely applies, and will effect your market rates.

Keep up the good work man. Time to take a trip to sheath town and this is thing will be a nice package!
 
Four things since you are so polite in your ability to absorb:

1. You tempt us with describing that back-spine and then don't really show it. I want to see that from above! Sweet.

2. Rightful praise about your build quality. I think the hollow space in the handle is unique, and if it doesn't feel fragile it would not be a dealbreaker, but might be a dealmaker. Filework extending down into that area? Hmmmmm. The possibilities.

3. Not loving that square angular transition to the edge from the choil. Everything about this flows, and that does not. It chops. (My favorite is a heel. With an S curve.)

4. Anonymous? Why? Not a signature; a cryptic mark; no means of identification. This is a community and you are a valuable member. Declare yourself! :D :thumbup:
 
Bloody good mate, all these comments are echoed by me , but you allready know this. Told you so didn't I
Cheers Keith
 
Daado said:
Beautiful work. Great idea for the handle.
Guess it was a busy year :)
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Thank you Daado, appreciate your comments, hope my next year is busier though, juggling knife making and work commitments can be difficult. Cheers, ICS


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kevin -the professor said:
I am quite impressed, especially given the amount of time you have been doing this (I was a slow learner at first, because I wanted this to just be a fun hobby for the first several years. Then, I got a full case of the knifemaker's sickness, and decided to become dedicated with the idea of doing this as a true professional now and if I live long enough to retire. So, there was a leap in growth due to pressure from my good friend and sometimes mentor JD Smith. He hasn't been a teacher, or I would be better, but he gently pushed me to take it and myself seriously. You don't need the push I did, you are already taking things seriously).

I love the handle. I do think that, if you had not rebated it, and instead drilled it or made scales and matched them in profile, you would have been better off with this particular piece of antler. Your idea for the channel milled into the handle material is a good one. It has been around for a long time, too.

If you go to Bob Engnath's website, which is still maintained even though he has passed on, there is a section about handle making and styles. He describes this method. You can find a lot of practical advice and good knife patterns at that website, too. fyi. :)
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Thanks Kevin, really appreciate your feedback, no doubt I have started into something that will continue to take up more of my time too. As far as the handle goes, understanding how my mind works would send you down another path. I started with the piece of antler, agonised over how I could get the best out of it and came up with my new handle design.
Thanks for the info about Bob's site, I have now had a look at it and whilst I agree that the channel has been around for a long time, my hanger/return at the bottom it would seem, has not. I will now take some time to perfect it and show it off fully with my next one.
Cheers, ICS


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Athenas Edge said:
Fit and Finish is where knives really pop. You seem to understand that well and because of that this piece is great. I can see what shaving sharp means by the antler space on the left side. As an internet buyer that would spook me, but if I held it in person and it caused no issue then I might overlook that considering the rest of the blade. Presentations key though so it surely applies, and will effect your market rates.

Keep up the good work man. Time to take a trip to sheath town and this is thing will be a nice package!
Click to expand...

Thanks Athenas Edge, I appreciate your feedback. There is no doubt that fit and finish and presentation are the key to success in this craft. I could probably spend a couple more hours on perfecting this one but where I am at in knife making, I think I am better off leaving it alone and using it as my starting point. The antler fits the knife, tight as a drum, all over. For me, I achieved what I set out to do, probably exceeded my expectations in some respects but that's a bonus. I will try harder and harder as I get into the craft there is no doubt and hopefully, that will be reflected in the knives I produce. Thanks again and cheers. ICS


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SharpByCoop said:
Four things since you are so polite in your ability to absorb:

1. You tempt us with describing that back-spine and then don't really show it. I want to see that from above! Sweet.

2. Rightful praise about your build quality. I think the hollow space in the handle is unique, and if it doesn't feel fragile it would not be a dealbreaker, but might be a dealmaker. Filework extending down into that area? Hmmmmm. The possibilities.

3. Not loving that square angular transition to the edge from the choil. Everything about this flows, and that does not. It chops. (My favorite is a heel. With an S curve.)

4. Anonymous? Why? Not a signature; a cryptic mark; no means of identification. This is a community and you are a valuable member. Declare yourself! :D :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks SharpByCoop, I am definitely interested in feedback, especially with regards to improving what I do. I haven't been around long enough to change my perspective yet on who I am actually doing this for, in the beginning I just wanted to make a knife, then that moved to making working knives for friends and like minded people. There is no doubt there is a whole world out there that can be explored and I can only hope to get better and dip my toe in it now and then.

1. The back spine is visible along the whole of the knife except where it goes through the guard. I did not do any file work on this one, I just described what can be done to highlight the spine and will be trying it on my next blade.

2. The handle with the hollow space doesn't feel fragile at all to me, the epoxy filled any areas in and around the tang and it feels very solid.

3. The choil area is the area I have received the most comment on but once again, I think that style is a very personal thing and for me at the time, I chose the angular transition. Will try the rounded style on the next one, it is something I considered when inspired by Shawn's build.

4. I have certainly had a lot of criticism in relation to a makers mark. My little "s" it would seem just doesn't do it. I have a couple of new ideas already but haven't got round to doing them. It's time.

A couple of photos of how it goes together from early on in the build.
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Thank you once again for your feedback, it is very humbling to receive such feedback from such prominent people in the world of knife making.
Cheers, ICS




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keithf said:
Bloody good mate, all these comments are echoed by me , but you allready know this. Told you so didn't I
Cheers Keith
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Thanks keithf, without people like yourself, Peter DelRaso, Mike and others giving solid, honest feedback, advice and encouragement, it would be game over already. You guys rock. Cheers, ICS


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Sensational work ICS, I'm adding you to my ultra short list of Aussie knifemakers that can make fighters look beautiful. That makes my list 3 long now, which I'm NOT happy about nor does it bring me any form of joy, but who knows, it may grow more in time as it did just now. The tang on that Bowie is a world first from what I've seen; good on you.

Keep it up.
 
Coke said:
Sensational work ICS, I'm adding you to my ultra short list of Aussie knifemakers that can make fighters look beautiful. That makes my list 3 long now, which I'm NOT happy about nor does it bring me any form of joy, but who knows, it may grow more in time as it did just now. The tang on that Bowie is a world first from what I've seen; good on you.

Keep it up.
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Coke, thanks very much for your feedback, I appreciate it. Nice to see your Aussie makers list is growing, albeit very slowly. I am pretty excited about the handle design too. Cheers, ICS


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