Need Advice On My First Three Knives

C

claybuster5

Joined
Nov 18, 2012
Messages
54
Hello,
I am looking for some constructive criticism on my first three knives. I'm 16 years old and just started knifemaking, I am not that happy with the knives so far but I'm improving!

  1. First Knife:
    1095 steel, Wharncliffe style blade with brass tube pins and black/grey canvas Guycarta (micarta).
    66a18e63bdd79130849daa41f1185803.png
  2. Second Knife:
    Paring knife, 1095 steel, pepperjade Kirinite handle with brass pins.
    fe5a7ecfe8655434898185fbebe0837d.png

    e68ce9ebbc57de58cf9cdcc81d2e940a.png
  3. Third Knife:
    Persain style blade, 1095 steel, brass pins, red/black/white paper Guycarta (micarta).
    55ccf9e2dbcfe09695f2ba5378047d41.png

Thank you for your time!
 
They look pretty good overall.
It looks like your pins are lined up pretty well and your handles are contoured nicely too.
I kinda think the first one looks too blocky and awkward, but the second one is really very good.
The third one isn't my style at all, but that's just me.
Keep it up man. You're going to get better and better with every one.

How have they been heat treated by the way?
 
Handles are good, Blade one and three need a lot of design changes. Blade #2 is good.

#1 won't cut very well because the blade is angled to the handle poorly. Put a piece of rope on a cutting board and try to cut it....not so good, huh?
#3 would be a Persian if you ground off the huge drop to the blade and raised the point above the handle. Ads it is it is a sort-a hunter/skinner...but not a Persian at all. Also, the bevel only goes up a small amount. That will make it a poor cutter. The bevel should go up at least 1" or all the way to the spine, if you want it to slice well.

When posting blades for comments, post the:
steel type and stock size ( 1084 1/8X1.25")
Method of shaping ( forged, filed by hand, ground on a Craftsman 2X42, etc.)
HT method
Size of the blade and OAL
Handle materials
Any special info
 
16 and your first three? I'm very impressed! Most definitely keep at it and the improvements will come very quickly. A few things that I could offer are to be cognizant of your grit progressions and don't move on to the next grit until all the previous scratches are gone. Don't be in such a hurry to get to the next step or you'll skimp on what you are already working. Draw a design, tweak it a bit, then leave it for a few days. Look at a lot of knife pictures. Tweak some more and keep at it until you are happy.
Only transfer it to steel after that.

I think you are showing a good deal of potential.
 
Thank you! They have been home heat treated with a charcoal forge, it's not a perfect heat treat only because I don't want to spend the money I don't have when I'm still learning.
 
Thank you so much for your detailed criticism, blade #1 was meant to be somewhat of a fighting knife but I could see how raising the handle up could open up the uses of the blade! I will be sure to use these comments to improve my future knives!
 
Thank you! I really should start to use more grits when bringing it to a finish, that would explain all the scratches. I usually just do 36/80/120/220/then hand sand.
 
Time is on your side. Keep going forward.:thumbup: I actually like #3s style the most.
 
They look great!

Im 24 and my first couple knives Im in the process of making arent going to be this nice. I getting a little discouraged but I understand you're not gonna master it quickly.

Keep at it bud! Keep us updated with your progress as well, we would all love to see!
 
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