My First handmade knife. Feel free to comment!

M

mav17

Joined
Oct 7, 2018
Messages
29
So I think I have read and seen enogh, so it is time to get hands on.

I managed to get my hands on some 1018 bars for free to practice before buying some fancy damascus or S90V.

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Looks fun (needs a handle).
Maybe too narrow vertically just behind the blade at the handle.
The part of the edge just below your index finger looks cool but I question the usefulness; won't clear your finger as you cut. Or maybe it will; I don't know.
= my first impressions. :)
 
I bet a Northridge Tool 2x72 belt grinder will make everything easier and faster...

So far I am here after sanding it with an 80 micron all around first and down to 20 micron on the bevel:
6ykz11.jpg


Don’t think I will heat treat it or anything other than sharpen it, after all it’s only a 1018, don’t think it’s worth it.

Other than that, I would like to add some scales to se how that goes too.
 
That's a cool shape, I agree that it would look better with some scales on it and maybe some jimping where your thumb naturally rests. :thumbsup:
 
Wowbagger Wowbagger It is a very thick stock, that’s why I went thin on the transition to the handle. It is a heavy and sturdy piece.
sp7n2s.jpg

rky9t1.jpg


I had trouble keeping the bevels clear of marks and dents. Specially closer to the tip, it seemed nearly imposible to have a perfect miror finish, a scratch would always show up ‍♂️.

2e0oh84.jpg
 
Very cool ! Wish I had the skills to make my own knife.... that’s aweome, can’t wait to see it with a handle
 
tony281sc2 said:
Very cool ! Wish I had the skills to make my own knife.... that’s aweome, can’t wait to see it with a handle
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Thanks!!! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

I’m not sure I have the skills YET, that’s why I went 1018 first. But hey practice makes the master!

Now I wonder how to make 7 more identical (as close as posible at least) to complete a set for a BBQ at my place?
 
Love the design. Generally speaking, the shape (maybe just handle), reminds me a bit of the Boker Plus Rambler. Would love to see what you do with harden-able steel down the road. Keep going and showing.
 
mav17 said:
Thanks!!! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

I’m not sure I have the skills YET, that’s why I went 1018 first. But hey practice makes the master!

Now I wonder how to make 7 more identical (as close as posible at least) to complete a set for a BBQ at my place?
Click to expand...
You bet! Just like sharpening takes practice, although I’m sure Making a knife is much more difficult. Judging bu your first one, by the time you make 7 you’ll be a pro for the S90 steel.
 
Take my comments with a grain of salt (they are dependent on what the intended use of this blade is):

1) The handle doesn't look comfortable/ergonomic to me. There is not much material under the index and middle fingers to allow control. The bar had plenty of material why not use it?
2) The sharpened heel/tail end serves no apparent purpose to my way of thinking and will SURELY end up cutting the user if it's sharpened all the way to the end (ask me how I know this). If the blade were to be hollow ground and the end left wide forming a bit of a bolster it would be MUCH safer.

Other than those 2 thoughts it looks fine to me.............

Corey "synthesist" Gimbel
 
synthesist said:
Take my comments with a grain of salt (they are dependent on what the intended use of this blade is)

Corey "synthesist" Gimbel
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Thank for the input!!! I intend to make a set for bbq’s so it’s pretty much a stake knife. As for the handle, yes it feels funny but I thinks it is more a wight distribution issue more than ergonomics o_O?

And I didn’t use the whole bar because I think inside the box and a knife shouldn’t be larger than what it should be otherwise it would be a sword. Just kidding.

But I still have 2 more bars and I can get even larger ones, any sugestion for the second???? :cool:
 
First up, I think it is a pretty visually appealing design. Sweeping lines. Function and aesthetic wise it might make a cool steak knife. Only way you will know is through trying it out. What I know of my knives that I use for hunting and bush life is that a lot of my control happens between my thumb and two forefingers. That might be rather thin in that area of your handle.
Your mirror finish worries. My knives all started out with mirror or close to mirror finishes of some form and being every day knives they are VERY scratched and non mirror like now. I think you should get them close and then don't worry. They will get scratched up a million different ways as you use them.
Nice job.
 
Looks like you're doing a good job profiling and beveling your knife. If it's 1018 it's not going to harden into a very useful blade. Get some 1084 next, you should be able to harden it at home with information you get from the stickys section at the top of Shop Talk.
 
Robert Erickson said:
Looks like you're doing a good job profiling and beveling your knife. If it's 1018 it's not going to harden into a very useful blade. Get some 1084 next, you should be able to harden it at home with information you get from the stickys section at the top of Shop Talk.
Click to expand...

I will definitely try that. I know very little about steel and well the obvious question is “the best?” that’s how I ended up wanting a billet of S90V.

Thanks for the tip, I will most definitely try 1084 next
 
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