My second knife

[Brian.Evans]

Decided this one was done today. I was tired of sanding and oiling.

Specs:
**Aldo's 3/32" A2
**OAL 7" with a 2 3/4" cutting edge
**Eucalyptus burl scales finished with Danish oil and sanded up to 6000 grit then waxed with carnuba wax.
**1/4" Nickel silver pins
**Machine finish on the blade, A30 gator belt

This was the first knife I've ever made without drawing on paper first. We had just had our baby and life was getting to me, so I went out in the shop and hacked off a random length piece of steel and started grinding. I like it, it fits me perfectly.

There are some fit and finish issues I'm not proud of. One side has some prolific glue lines. The eucalyptus burl is horrible to work without staining black. I'm never using it again! I messed up drilling the scale holes and they were a bear to fit. Somehow, water and/or dirt got on the ricasso and it got some rust spots. I had to take some 1500 grit to it, and it doesn't look perfect. I going to hand sand the next one rather than machine finish as I want my f&f to improve. It will be a decent user though. I can't wait to get it sharpened up and make a sheath for it!

In hand:

Butt end, showing cross section

Top down showing the semi-palm swell and my horrid glue line and spine sanding job.

Well, what do ya'll think?

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

It's just me, but I prefer the final sanding to be lengthwise along the spine. Also, I prefer a bit beefier butt end on it. Nice work on the scales. Overall, very nice for your second.

 

[Brian.Evans]

It was supposed to be lengthwise along the spine, I messed up and didn't get the low grit scratches out before moving up the grits. I won't make that particular mistake again, I hope.
As far as the beefier but end goes, I am undecided. I like the slim profile of this thing in hand, but I may have to try that suggestion. It's wonderful to hold in any position with no hot spots. Hopefully I will get to go hiking today and put it through it's paces a bit.