My first one out of steel done! Input please

JGguns

JGguns

Hobbyist here to learn
Joined
Nov 15, 2009
Messages
407
This is my first one out of steel. It's not perfect but I am very happy with it. It cuts great, I took it out and beat on it and thanks to a great heat treat holds a fantastic edge. It's 154cm and extremely sharp! This is really my first real knife ( the 3 before we're small ones made from titanium). I wish I made the handle about 1/2" longer. I don't remember the name of the wood on the handle but i think it looks great, and that was given to me by Greg (Tryppyr), thanks again buddy! I used some royal blue g10 for the liners.

I know it's probly not impressive to most but it took me a lot of work to me to get it made and while not the prettiest it works an works pretty well. I split some small 2-3" logs like nothing. It chops good for its size. And respites the handle being alittle short it's very comfortable. The sheath is actually from a different knife that didn't work so I just had to remold it to fit real fast. Works good but doesn't suit the knife. I will make a new one for this knife when I get some free time. Onto the pics and a few questions after.

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Now a few questions. First up what is the best way to finish stabilized wood? I just sanded to a 220 grit then flipped the belt over to the cloth side added some oiled and lightly buffed haha. I would like to get that high polish look on it.

Next is what's the correct procces for putting on a edge. With this all I did was flat grind till a near zero and finished it up with my lansky kit with a diamond stone on a 20 degree angle. I know that's not the right way but I am not confident enough in my grinding skills to put the cutting edge on with my belt grinder.
 
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I think it turned out great! What are the dimensions? as far as thickness and length? Again, very cool
 
Stickytoes said:
I think it turned out great! What are the dimensions? as far as thickness and length? Again, very cool
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Thanks a lot. It's over all is 9 3/4" cutting edge is 5 3/8" and it's a hair shy of 1/4" thick at the spine.
 
You did good!!!

I find that depending on the wood different methods are best. No matter what you will not get the best at 220. For some I go out to 800 and leave it for a matte look. On Ironwood I have had success with 15 micron and then buff. And according to our own Mark Farley (It's A Burl) Woods like Koa do well with 15 Micron roughly 1000P and then a hand rubbed finish with a furniture oil. This brings out the chatoyance/shimmer.
 
David66 said:
You did good!!!

I find that depending on the wood different methods are best. No matter what you will not get the best at 220. For some I go out to 800 and leave it for a matte look. On Ironwood I have had success with 15 micron and then buff. And according to our own Mark Farley (It's A Burl) Woods like Koa do well with 15 Micron roughly 1000P and then a hand rubbed finish with a furniture oil. This brings out the chatoyance/shimmer.
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Thanks for the tips David. What grits do you use between 220 and the 15micron? Also are you hand sanding or using a belt grinder?
 
Nice job.

I find stabilized wood will take a great luster with hand sanding to around 800-1000 and then a quick buffing on an unstitched wheel with matchless white or No-Scratch Pink.
 
bladsmth said:
Nice job.

I find stabilized wood will take a great luster with hand sanding to around 800-1000 and then a quick buffing on an unstitched wheel with matchless white or No-Scratch Pink.
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Is matchless white and no pink scratch pink a compound you apply to the wheel?
 
Looks great to my eye.

Did you do the heat treat your self, or send it out?
 
JGguns said:
Next is what's the correct procces for putting on a edge. With this all I did was flat grind till a near zero and finished it up with my lansky kit with a diamond stone on a 20 degree angle. I know that's not the right way but I am not confident enough in my grinding skills to put the cutting edge on with my belt grinder.
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There's nothing wrong with that at all. If it's sharp enough, then that's a fine method.
 
Knife looks very good, especially for a first one. Much better than mine.
I do like Stacy said for the handle finish.

Now I would suggest getting Chuck's DVD at Wild Rose and making that lady a nice leather dress. ;)
 
Patrice Lemée;10721060 said:
Knife looks very good, especially for a first one. Much better than mine.
I do like Stacy said for the handle finish.

Now I would suggest getting Chuck's DVD at Wild Rose and making that lady a nice leather dress. ;)
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Yeah I really want to get into leather work, I'm just being lazy hahaha. Plus I can't find any un dyed leather locally. Just the dyed crap from the hobby shops and that stuff doesn't mold very well

Thanks for all the compliments fella's. I took it out for another test run an I am really surprised how well it chops for it's size.
 
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