My immense oversight and a new knife for me

[Fiddleback]

A couple of weeks ago I finished a group buy knife for an order for an awesome customer and shipped it out. When he got it I think he was shocked. The handle was riddled with gluelines he told me. And he sent pics, and he was right. I have got to learn that without my glasses I can't see glue lines anymore.

I had him send it back to be re-made. Then the damn shop/lease situation popped up the following Monday. So shit. I had two batches worth of glued up blanks to finish in two weeks and there is no damn way I was putting the warranty knife aside to wait for a new shop. So last Saturday I went in and profiled, drilled, marked, ground, tapered and heat treated that blade. Luckily I had half a bar of 3/32 A2 left. Which meant there was just enough room on the bar for a Chickadee. Man, 3/32 Chickadees are unbelievably cool. So I decided to treat myself and make myself one too. By early Monday morning I had them both caught up to this weeks batch.

Well the batch is done. I hope my friend is happy. I recieved the POS back this week and ground the blade off to send back to him to open beers. The new Bushfinger is really pretty, and came out much better than the POS. My Chickadee is so good. And I made myself a sheath too and its the prettiest I've made yet.

A few things.
1. I have got to get better about QC with glasses as my age progresses and I can see for shit progressively. Very frustrating for any craftsman I'd assume.
2. I need, especially now, to remember to treat myself.
3. Y''all need to know that I still get all geeked out to get a Fiddleback. I love my knives.

Pics. Warranty replacement Bushfinger first, and my sweet Chikadee and sheath next.

 

[abraves]

That sheath looks amazing.

 

[Steven65]

As we all get older our eyes deteriorate and glasses are a must. A brilliant knifemaker, who made knives well into his 70's, told me what he did to avoid problems like this.

He would complete his knives, take them inside and set them down next to where he and his wife relaxed and watched tv. Then when it was quiet and he had the time in the evening, he would take each one and carefully examine every part of the knife. (He was a folder maker)

He did this for two or three nights heading back into the shop in the day to fix and repair and problems. By the end of a few days the knives were as close to perfect as they could be.

Sometimes having the time to do this is not possible but if you can try it.....you might be surprised how well it works.

The Chikadee and it's sheath came out beautifully.

 

[abraves]

That’s a cool set. I don’t drink beer but it’s super cool.

 

[SharpBits]

Once you get to a certain age, these become your best friends!

 

[Comprehensivist]

^ I second the above post by SharpBits . I have reached the age where a nice benchtop magnifier is a necessary tool. I sold a nice knife to fund the purchase of high end rectangular magnifier with LED lighting and a weighted base for my workbench. I have not regretted the decision.

Phil

 

[Drop bear]

I use my camera phone and zoom function for all my detail seeing tasks these days.

 

[Mistwalker]

Very cool outcome from an oversite. Very nice looking Chickadee. I love the Chickadee blade profile, and that handle profile is intriguing.