My most recent knife

N

Nic.

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Dec 8, 2014
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This is my latest with a blade made from a big mill saw blade and walnut handles, 1/4 inch steel pins. I stained it with half cedar, half oak stain (wierd but I thought it looked good) and sealed it with boiled linseed oil and homemade wax. It's sharp enough to shave with! I've found that I hate working with walnut because it loves to chip and split, but I sure do like the look of it! Any thoughts? Critiques? Advice?
 
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I'm nobody and just starting out, but the one thing that jumps out to me is the pin spacing, I like to have them evenly spaced if possible. I'm sure some of the pros will be along shortly with some comments.
 
Me too! Yea, thanks. I didn't catch that until it was too late..so I just rolled with it. Once the hole was in there, I was screwed. I measured it, but oh well. Guess I'll just be more careful on the next one!
 
I like the enthusiasm but I have a couple of suggestions. Saw blades are tempting to use as your first knives, but it is an unknown steel. You will never get consistent results with them as you will not know how to heat treat them. In fact most saw blades are not suitable as knife steel. Try some 1084 or 1080 steel from a knife supplier and you will be pleasantly surprised in the quality of knife you will get.

When you are done quenching and tempering your blade, it needs to be finished further. Either grind or hand sand the steel in ascending grits until you get a nice even finish. The patterns you see on your blade are from decarb during heat treat. It needs to be removed before you finish your knife.

Try some 1/8 pins on your next knife and see how you like them. I think they are more subtle and detract less from the beauty of the wood.
 
Ok, thanks! This is my second knife, I was trying to figure it out before I used nice steel. What makes that steel better than any other carbon steel? Those patterns were on there because the steel had rusted, but I get your point and that is appreciated! Finishing it more makes total sense! Ok, I thought 1/8 would be too small, but I will try that out, thanks!
Thank you for your feedback!
 
Also, I looked at that mossy trail knife you have on your website, it's beautiful! What do you finish your steel with to make it look so nice?
 
1080 and 1084 are simple carbon steels that are great for knife making. Very easy heat treat you can do at home with a forge and canola oil. Also a very tough steel.

I finished my knife to 1500 grit sandpaper. Then I etched it in ferric chloride to show the hamon line, and polished off the oxides.

1/4" pins are nice too. Its just more obvious when they're off centre and you really have to concentrate on keeping them flush when sanding your handle.
 
Nic. said:
Ok, thanks! This is my second knife, I was trying to figure it out before I used nice steel.
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I was trying to do the same thing, using files for my first 6 knives. I bought some nice steel and was thoroughly impressed with the fit and finish, and total outcome of my first knife using good steel. I wish I would've started using good steel right out of the gate.
 
Ok, well to nice steel I go I guess! Thanks for the help there! Ok, I'll try smaller pins too, and make sure to triple check my center :).
 
I really would like to get good at this stuff, any tips for anything are much appreciated!! Any patterns that are your favorites that would be good knives to make to get good and practice with?
 
Read the stickies at the top of the page and watch Nick Wheeler's video on hand sanding. It'll change your life!
 
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