My first crack at knife making

B

Blackhat3

Joined
Mar 11, 2013
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Ok, so it's not forged, it's from a blank, but I made the handle material from scratch out of a pair of old blue jeans, did the edge grind myself, polished it, and put it in my first kydex sheath. For a first go I'm happy with it, and a friend of mine has already killed two hogs with it. I just hope I can pry it away from him... Anyway, I'd love to know what you guys think, the good, the bad, and the ugly are welcome.











 
Blackhat3,

That is a super effort for a first knife. It's an attractive design with nice proportions. It's great that you made the phenolic laminate for the handle yourself and the sheath as well. It appears to be well made and highly functional. My only comment might be that the grind lines or transitions between the flats and bevels of the blade look a bit soft. Might just be the pictures. But if they are a bit soft I would try to make those lines nice and crisp. But that's all I have. It looks really good. And try to get that back from you're friend. You should keep your first knife.


Tell us more about the knife. Length and thickness of the blade, steel type, who did the heat treat, etc.
 
That knife is super amazing for a first. Like i4Marc said, just do more crisp grind lines next time. Other than that, its great for a first.
I believe you should make more because it seems like your going to be a great maker.
Once again, great job! :thumbup:
 
that's your first attempt? No previous failures or frankenblades? I'd like to preorder a knife from you to be made 4 years from now, and i'd like to prepay at todays rates... that way, when you're making $1800 masterpieces, i'll get one at a sick bargain

You are going to be awesome!
 
I would like to know what steel is being used and who made the blank but overall as far as your handle goes WOW great job and the overall style and grind look great too. Honestly the only thing that looks a little off to me is the grind mainly the transition from flat to the edge but it's not off by much and I would bet money a couple more knives and you will have that down to perfection. Looks great!
 
Wow guys, thanks for the great feedback, I appreciate the encouragement!!! As far as specs on the blade, I still haven't gotten it back from my buddy, so I can't measure the handle and overall length, but the blade was 7". I was told when I bought it that it is ATS-34. It was already heat treated when I bought it, and I don't know who made the blank or did the heat treat. I bought it 10 years ago when I was going to school in Colorado from a fellow student who said his brother was getting out of knife making and selling off all his stock. I don't remember the students name or his brothers name. That's all I know about it. As far as the transition lines looking soft, they are just a bit. I used a friends belt grinder and belts, and he didn't have a scotch bright belt, so I scotch brighted it by hand, which resulted in the softer look... I got an introduction through a mutual friend to an ABS Mastersmith a few days ago, and we're trying to work out a day for me to go to his shop and get some guidance on getting started doing my own forging. Wish me luck!!
 
Very nice knife. That blows me away for your first knife. I like the unique handle material and overall it looks like a badass knife. Keep making knives would love to see more.
 
BePrepared said:
that's your first attempt? No previous failures or frankenblades? I'd like to preorder a knife from you to be made 4 years from now, and i'd like to prepay at todays rates... that way, when you're making $1800 masterpieces, i'll get one at a sick bargain

You are going to be awesome!
Click to expand...

Yes sir, that is my first attempt. No previous failures or frankenblades, although I'm sure that will change when I start learning to forge. I do have a degree in gunsmithing and grew up in a welding shop, so I've always worked with my hands and have (I think) a pretty good understanding of fit and finish, maybe that helps. I do hope that I get to where I'm making $1800 masterpieces someday...
 
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