- Joined
- Feb 4, 1999
- Messages
- 5,786
Quite some time ago I came up with the harebrained idea of getting a bunch of high quality, unfinished knives to finish myself and use as groomsmen gifts. I had some D-2 stock, and decided to rough out the shape myself, and having only a bench grinder, I decided a simple pattern would be the only thing fesible. Many hours and piles of D-2 later, I had six decent tantos ranging in size from tiny (4-4.5" OAL) to small/medium (7 inch OAL). I was already dealing with Neil on a titanium wedding band, and he also volunteered services on the kit knife grinding and heat treating. SO I sent the rest of my stock to him, which he got another two blades out of, and ground all the bevels and everything on as well. He then heat treated, which I'll have to let him handle particulars on. I've been messing with these blades for over a month now, so I thought I'd throw a review down for him...
Anyway, the knives were exceptional! They were a real challenge to Neil because they were all a little different, but he did a great job. Two of the knives have a full hollw grind all the way to the point, and they are sharp! THe rest have a convex tip and hollow main edge. Very pretty and you can do a lot with the cosmetics of the blade itself that way. The hollow grinds are left at 320 grit, I think, and the rest I am attempting to bring to a semi-polish with sandpaper and Scotchbrite. Anyone who knows D-2 knows this takes a LONG time!
THe first thing I noticed about the knives, other than the very symmetrical grinding and excellent shaping, is the fact that they are quite sharp and sharpen up very easily. I'm curious as to the RC of these blades and whether they were cryogenically treated or not...anyway, they take an edge really nicely and Neil did a superb job with everything! I couldn't be happier! FInishing them is taking a long time, but so far I have done one with green linen Micarta and black traditional Japanese cord wrapping (may need to redo this one because I messed up the shape of the scales a bit...I'll post a pic and get your opinions)., one with black paper Micarta bolsters and cocobolo handles (needs to be redone because the scales pulled off the tang...long story!), one with a plain curly koa handle, and the crowning achievement, one with cocobolo bolsters and koa scales. That one turned out NICE! The rest should be even better, and I may redo a few of the others because I changed my mind about how the scales should be shaped. Anyway, I'll have pics after the weekend and if Neil's finished blades are half as nice as these ones he did for me, then they are worth every penny! Thanks, Neil!
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My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
Anyway, the knives were exceptional! They were a real challenge to Neil because they were all a little different, but he did a great job. Two of the knives have a full hollw grind all the way to the point, and they are sharp! THe rest have a convex tip and hollow main edge. Very pretty and you can do a lot with the cosmetics of the blade itself that way. The hollow grinds are left at 320 grit, I think, and the rest I am attempting to bring to a semi-polish with sandpaper and Scotchbrite. Anyone who knows D-2 knows this takes a LONG time!
THe first thing I noticed about the knives, other than the very symmetrical grinding and excellent shaping, is the fact that they are quite sharp and sharpen up very easily. I'm curious as to the RC of these blades and whether they were cryogenically treated or not...anyway, they take an edge really nicely and Neil did a superb job with everything! I couldn't be happier! FInishing them is taking a long time, but so far I have done one with green linen Micarta and black traditional Japanese cord wrapping (may need to redo this one because I messed up the shape of the scales a bit...I'll post a pic and get your opinions)., one with black paper Micarta bolsters and cocobolo handles (needs to be redone because the scales pulled off the tang...long story!), one with a plain curly koa handle, and the crowning achievement, one with cocobolo bolsters and koa scales. That one turned out NICE! The rest should be even better, and I may redo a few of the others because I changed my mind about how the scales should be shaped. Anyway, I'll have pics after the weekend and if Neil's finished blades are half as nice as these ones he did for me, then they are worth every penny! Thanks, Neil!
------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
