My first one...

[TacDoc]

Damascus blank, buffalo horn scales, green spacer, stainless mosaic pins and lanyard tube. Wow, my hands are sore!

Now it only needs a mirror polished 30 degree edge and a leather sheath... but this will be another project.

Thanks bladeforums for the great advise!

 

[Justin King]

Got out of here, that's your first? Really nice job! The horn with the damascus is good combo.

 

[BustaCrook]

Looks very nice, indeed. I think fluting the lanyard hole would be better, but thats just a suggestion. Good job.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Excellent job.

On the next one, try rounding the handle more. It is a sign of a new maker that the cross section of the handle is rectangular with rounded edges. Make it ovoid.

 

[jonnymac44]

Excellent job.

On the next one, try rounding the handle more. It is a sign of a new maker that the cross section of the handle is rectangular with rounded edges. Make it ovoid.

I believe Stacy is correct. With my first few, I've found that what I thought would be correct and comfortable was actually "rectangular with rounded edges". I think it takes some practice for us new makers to reconcile what we see in our mind with what feels right in our hands, if that makes any sense. There is a natural concern for a beginner that you are grinding or sanding away too much material and so we take a cautious approach, but out of the three knives I've totally completed, two have handle slabs that I wish ended up thinner.

That being said, your grind, material choices, and fit and finish look absolutely beautiful!!:thumbup: Very very nice job, and I can't wait to see more from you.

 

[Utican]

Fantastic looking knife none the less, was damascus hard to temper

 

[butchesforge]

Hard to believe that's your first---first or one hundredth its a great job---Regards Butch

 

[TacDoc]

Gents,

Thanks for the kind comments.

I did not forge, temper nor grind the blade. I just got a partially finished blank and dress it up.

In fact I got 6 blanks (5 damascus, 1 stainless) and currently working with the brainstorming for the next one.

I have in hand the following scales:

Camel bone (2 pairs)
Cow bone
Buffalo horn with bark
Thuya burl
Unknown beautiful wood?
Sambar stag

Probably I'll use the bone for the next one... Damascus & bone... To dye or not to dye... Amber vs white bone...