My Knife Journey

D

Dave Hamilton

Joined
Feb 3, 2020
Messages
107
Hey to all, I have started a few threads here since I started making knives for fun, so I will be starting this as my continual gallery as I keep on grinding. Most of what I've made has been what interests me at the moment, several different styles, mostly from some killer makers. I've been using these as training tools, starting with the finished product and asking myself "How do I get there". I do have some of my own ideas completed here and also on the drawing bench and will be posted as I make. I've found this forum to be awesome with people who are willing to help and answer questions. Especially the top dogs who many cherish their work. Not many other mediums would the high rollers be willing to engage with hobbyists as it does not benefit them, here guys like Marc i4Marc i4Marc and Stacy Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith have been awesome as well as many others with knowledge. Will be posting my work moving forward...
 
Dave Hamilton said:
Hey to all, I have started a few threads here since I started making knives for fun, so I will be starting this as my continual gallery as I keep on grinding. Most of what I've made has been what interests me at the moment, several different styles, mostly from some killer makers. I've been using these as training tools, starting with the finished product and asking myself "How do I get there". I do have some of my own ideas completed here and also on the drawing bench and will be posted as I make. I've found this forum to be awesome with people who are willing to help and answer questions. Especially the top dogs who many cherish their work. Not many other mediums would the high rollers be willing to engage with hobbyists as it does not benefit them, here guys like Marc i4Marc i4Marc and Stacy Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith have been awesome as well as many others with knowledge. Will be posting my work moving forward...
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Yep, I'm in the same boat as you.
Many very knowledgeable people on this thread that helped me, and all was very much appreciated.
 
My first blade was an...attempt... to make a White Wolf by Northman's Guild. One video I love to watch on Youtube. Looking back its pretty low on the finish and detail, but when I was grinding this out on my then Dayton 2x42 single speed, I had such a grin on my face!

2021-12-20_09-54-30 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

My second finished blade was a bowie with a pinned pommel. More definition to it, first through tang and more shaping to handle. Not as poor as the first, started to build confidence.

2021-12-20_09-59-31 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr
 
I had stepped away from making any knives after number two, always a lot to do for clothing. That business started picking up doing custom jeans and leather vests, started making leather jackets as well. But, the bug bit hard again. I started on several blades, using experience and asking a lot of questions to the top dogs, no doubt several were sitting there "this damn dude is annoying at this point!". Some I still need to send out for heat treat, two are completed.

This Falcata was a fun one. I came across Zombie Tools and one of there blades stuck out for me. I like the aesthetic and feel, just a fun brand. Still not sharpened...

2021-12-20_10-00-50 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

2021-12-20_10-00-50 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

2021-12-20_10-19-42 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

This is one I started to get more involved in the design process. I wanted a knife that was utilitarian and stylin. Drew from some references to lay out a pleasing design. I have come to hate a beveled spine...My Wakis later I shall explain...

I was still primarily rough grinding, using a file jig to even out bevels, hand sanding to 220, all before heat treat. Basically banging in the finished product beforehand, less hardened work later. I dig the wrapped handle and need to epoxy in place, just not sure yet. New direction for me so may play with other ideas on wrapping.

2021-12-20_10-01-19 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

2021-12-20_10-01-54 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

2021-12-20_10-43-10 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

2021-12-20_10-43-18 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr
 
And then XMas 2019 hit and I came across BenR.T. BenR.T. and his A2 Wakizashi Build thread. This was my first glimpse at him and it changed how I view Japanese blades. Then I started looking at his IG and was amazed at the inspiration and how you could take this craft into any direction. So, thanks Ben for inspiring me. At the time I found Miller Bros Blades. These two makers showed a construction for a full tang, guarded, without the traditional Japanese craft that I have NO IDEA how to do...yet :) So, let me show you my new path:

First is one I labeled as Scrap Material Short Sword, a loose Wakizashi, short sword, two handed knife, whatever. had a length of 1/4" O1, drew it out and ground. This is the last blade on the 2x42. Then came what am i gunna use for the guard and handle? chunk of O1 on the floor for guard, scrap piece of black walnut for the handle. How will I attach? and just kept going down that list, figure it out as you go. I learned a ton on this one and was so inspired to move into big blades with, like, really no experience making knives at all :)

20201231_153128 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

20210101_143318 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

20210120_125111 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

20210414_103517 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr
 
And then the BenR.T. BenR.T. and Miller Bros inspiration kicked in. Two Wakis. One (almost) done, may need a handle wrap, just learned about epoxy soaked Ito wraps.

What I learned here on the first one. I finished the blade before HT and there is still a ton of material, its kinda heavy. the bevel on the spine came out nice, but it was hand filed and hand sanded nicely while soft. G10 and attempted Ito wrap makes for a nice projectile when swinging, as mentioned recently learned about epoxy soaking.

2021-12-20_10-20-31 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

2021-12-20_10-21-54 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

2021-12-20_10-22-16 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

2021-12-20_10-22-50 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

2021-12-20_10-23-06 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

2021-12-20_10-23-14 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr
 
Im working on the second Wakizashi as we speak. My first finish grinding after heat treat and handsanding (in pic on left, bead blasted, before today). I have some other designs laid out and roughed ground. the two Kwaiken blades are reminiscent of everyone else who have done a Phil Hartsfield style, plus a few line drawings I'm working on. I have the mindset of a mechanical engineer, so I have to blueprint everything first.

2021-12-20_10-24-03 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr
 
What a great thread, thank you for sharing your journey with us Dave! There are always a few makers or a particular knife/style that gets us to dive into this craft.

Very cool to see yours and your blades are beautiful my friend
 
Todays work: after a debacle with two blades yesterday, poor hand eye coordination with the grinder on the bowie and one kwaiken, I cut out two new kwaikens and got up to starting hand finishing pre heat treat. Pic shows up to rough 220 on flats and spine bevel. Incorporated a coffin shaped handle.

I'm slammin out two of these. I came across the videos on Youtube by Joe Paranee reviewing a bunch of makers doing Hartsfield style kwaikens and just thought they are so awesome, I'd love to have one. As I said, I like figuring out how to get to a finished product, fully aware these are Tendick, Vigil, Gregory copies, but the skillset I get to evolve here is contrast on the flat and bevels through etching and hand rubbing, figuring out a tanto tip, symmetry on the initial bevel grind, ito wrap, turks head not, both never have I done yet.

2021-12-22_02-26-32 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr
 
I really, really like that short sword. Exactly as it is finished and pictured. :thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
BP_ said:
I really, really like that short sword. Exactly as it is finished and pictured. :thumbsup::thumbsup:
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Thanks BP. Which one ya referring to, the waki with Tsuka or the leather wrapped handled one? that one turned into a recurve blade during heat treat (sent out, I don't yet). Being that project was a loose, on the fly one, I just went with it.
 
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Dave Hamilton said:
Thanks BP. Which one ya referring to, the waki with Tsuka or the leather wrapped handled one? that one turned into a recurve blade during heat treat (sent out, I don't yet). Being that project was a loose, on the fly one, I just went with it.
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The black leather wrapped handle short sword. Sometimes things just speak, and as is, I like it. Built well, rugged but beautiful, something a person wouldn’t be afraid to use. But equally valuable to the eye just admiring it :):thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
BP_ said:
The black leather wrapped handle short sword. Sometimes things just speak, and as is, I like it. Built well, rugged but beautiful, something a person wouldn’t be afraid to use. But equally valuable to the eye just admiring it :):thumbsup::thumbsup:
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Thanks! good to note for the future
 
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eric brinkerhoff said:
Yup! I like those short swords! And the sheath looks great too!👍
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Much appreciated dude! Each blade I finish I have to improve the leatherwork. I make jackets and denim bottoms for guys, so I knew I could get working with veg tan quickly. Since then I'm looking at belts, cuffs and satchel bags for my co.
 
Working on hand filing in the tanto tips of these two kwaikens and ordered up more steel so will need to start lining up a few new projects. Got two O Tantos laid out, but have been drawn to cleavers lately. Always love me some old school Irish feel, is half my heritage after all. What do you guys think of this design for a full size tactical? will be laying out an edc design as well.

2021-12-23_04-29-06 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr
 
I really like both the waki with Tsuka and the leather wrapped handled one.
Really nice. Has me thinking about making something like those.
 
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