My Third Knife (also in Q&A)

[go mike]

I just finished my third knife. It's from Admiral's closeout 1084. I HT'ed it to approximately 60 RC.

Here's the specs:

Steel type: 1084
Handle Material: Bullet Wood
Pin Material: 1/8" brass and 3/16" brass
Blade length: 5-1/4"
Total length: 10"

I also did a freehand convex grind, so it's a beefy knife, and I cracked the wood after it was already epoxied and peened, so I just epoxied it back on.

Cracked handle:

Spine pic:

Next to my first knife (Same basic design)

 

[TekSec]

Pretty good for a 3rd one! Just 2 things that really stand out to me. I would leave a little more ricasso behind the grind before the scales and not go nearly as deep on the handle spine. Coffin handles are one thing, but the hourglass shape I don't think would be ask comfortable after some user time. Oh, and the use of the 2 different size pins is different, not going to say good or bad, just not symmetrical....

 

[go mike]

Erik, when you say going too deep on the spine, do you mean like around the front pin? If that's what you mean, I agree that I probably should have left it about 1/4" larger.

 

[TekSec]

Yea, just the dip in the spine. I'm sure it increases the 'grippiness' but at the same time I would think the front that sits in the area between you thumb and forefinger would wear a little bit and become annoying if used for any length of time.

 

[go mike]

I'm sure you're right. I'll take that into consideration next time I do that shape.

 

[TekSec]

But overall you did a great job for only your 3rd. Wish my early work had turned out so well

 

[silver_pilate]

Good job. I agree with Erik's comments. Also, take the spine and handle edges and either draw file and sand them or run them against the contact wheel to flatten out the tang and make the scales/tang more flush (see pic 4).

Keep 'em commin', Mike!

--nathan

 

[go mike]

When I was making it, I didn't realize how badly the spine was turning out, and then it filled with the wood stain, and I haven't got around to fixing it yet.

I still have 39 feet of steel, they'll be coming!

 

[TekSec]

They'd better be. Watching them pop up is almost as addicting as making them!