My first handmade knife

B

BigNate

Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
211
I just picked up my first handmade knife from the USPS yesterday and am curious about what more experienced people think of it.

I had been looking for an outdoors/ bush craft type knife. Well, as sometimes happens, I found this one on Ebay and just had to put a bid on it. It is made by Cliff Manley, ATS34 Rc tested @ 61, bone handle. I paid less than $150. Did I do good? What should / would make it better?

P.S. I know it isn't exactly the do-all knife I had been looking for but......
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Good lookin blade for a first! A pic of the entire knife from butt to tip would be nice.
 
You did well! Enjoy the knife, it looks like a good using blade. Workman'ship looks good. The only concern I have is that the sheath lacks a keeper strap. You may want to put one on, losing the knife would be a sad loss.
 
Thank You for comments! I think I will add a thong for retention, good point. It will be a real tool not a show piece as I don't spend money on stuff like that. At least not yet.

I have noticed a few things that may be nothing, but may be things that affect price. I'm trying to learn what quality levels to expect, and what different levels of craftsmanship really are. Like I said earlier I'm pretty new to customs.

I understand fit and finish but where do you draw the line?

Is balance a big deal?

Is having the scale thickness exactly even an issue?

How big of a deal is having silver solder evident? epoxy?

Here are the overall pictures. I could use a light box or something. Sorry about the poor quality.

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George is right, that's jigged cow-bone.

For the money, this looks to be a decent piece and a good move into the hand-made market :) :thumbup:
 
Bufford, i think the sheath is fine, the handle goes in plenty.
I make mine like that as well and a long as it's a nice tight fit, its ok.

Jeff
 
I think you done well. As for the sheath turn it upside down and give it a little shake if the knife stays in it's fine. Most pouch sheaths are made with a notch in them for the tip of the guard to lock them in.
Bob
 
If you check the prices of materials, you will find the cost of the steel, brass, bone, leather, sanding belts, polish, not to mention the cost of the kilowats it takes to run the lights, sanders, buffers, drill presses, and the heat treat ovens, comes close to what you paid for that knife.

ATS-34 is not a show grade steel, the grain is too ugly, but it is a very good tough steel for the working knife. So any knife made of ATS-34 does not demand perfection, It is going to be used and abused, the sheath is going to covered with Dux-Bax, neetsfoot, or plain old motor oil. It is going to get full of blood and guts that need to be rinsed out to keep it from smelling and getting moldy. It's going to be USED.

And to get a knife for the cost of production, is like saying to the maker "I'll buy the materials and pay for the other costs, and I want you to make me a knife for free. Your time is worthless and I demand perfection.

I don't think you will find too many show quality knives, for alittle over a hundered bucks. I think you have a very nice worknig knife that is worth far more than you paid ! If you want a true flawless showpiece, get your wallet out.
 
Thanks all for your comments. I know I have much to learn about this. I too thought this was a good way to get started as it is quite usable, and has Classic looks.

I wasn't expecting perfection, and was actually about to buy yet another production knife from Bark River. I just am asking questions specifically to learn what more knowledgable folks would look at, or what they thought of this one. I'd buy another one from him with no reservations. Thanks again.
 
flyboy4081 said:
If you want a true flawless showpiece, get your wallet out.
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Better get out your magic wand too, as their's not many true flawless showpieces at any price. ;) :D

I wouldn't even considering shrinking the sheath or placing a strap, unless you plan on doing aerobatics, I can't imagine your losing the knife out of the sheath.
 
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