New knife maker and critique is welcomed, photos

scherf68

scherf68

BANNED
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Messages
426
I started this hobby in March, all started with a Benchmade knife purchase just before. I was amazed with workmanship and how light it was. Than bingo, I have been pursuing a hobby since retiring and decided to research knife making. Found a southern California knife show in Brea, Ca and it began. Well, Covid also started and it has left me with no hands on training, literally all research on web. I built a grinder from plans on net, used Ameribrade parts since they are so close to me and very good people. Planned for Tru-grit to do my heat treating but this Covid killed my patience, just could not fathom waiting weeks for turn around, even when I live 30 miles from them, back-log.
Long story short, I decided to use 1084 and heat treat myself by making a copy of Atlas mini forge and buying their burner and few other parts. This is my current knife, probably 12th, this is fun but I could learn from hands on from a class.
W8oiK6R

bM8FQon

fruQj6C.jpg

STy57t8.jpg

bM8FQon.jpg
 
Last edited:
Weird, I see them, will look into it. All 3 were showing, i switched to imgur and now they don't show. I tried.
 
Last edited:
All I get is blocked from bladeforums when editing. I will try later. think I go it
 
Wow that looks super nice! New here too. Made a few forging and using hand tools, waiting on a grinder still. Ordered it a while ago, don’t think I’ve got it in me to file any more!
 
FWIW I’m seeing 3 pictures, using an iPhone.

Nice work. Your lanyard tubes are dangerously close to the edge, you may want to consider having a little more handle material to support itself around the tubes. Just a suggestion.
 
3fifty7 said:
FWIW I’m seeing 3 pictures, using an iPhone.

Nice work. Your lanyard tubes are dangerously close to the edge, you may want to consider having a little more handle material to support itself around the tubes. Just a suggestion.
Click to expand...
Thank you, was thinking same as well especially with some of the wood using. Thanks for suggestion.
Chalet said:
Wow that looks super nice! New here too. Made a couple but with hand tools, waiting on a grinder still.
Click to expand...
I was fortunate to be able to build my grinder, I have all the tools a back-yard mechanic like myself collected over years. Just imagining using files for a bevel put my hands in a panic sling. Probably best to learn that way, the grinder really takes a finesse feeling I have learned.
 
Last edited:
3fifty7 said:
FWIW I’m seeing 3 pictures, using an iPhone.

Nice work. Your lanyard tubes are dangerously close to the edge, you may want to consider having a little more handle material to support itself around the tubes. Just a suggestion.
Click to expand...
I also stretched out my handle 1 inch, just seemed small. You can see my progression on multiple knife shot. I also do not know if lanyard should be on top or bottom, or doesn't matter?
 
Great looking work!

I would work on handle shaping more, try to work more on the flats of the scales. Look at a lot of high end knives, they have a really crisp look. I'd say for how many knives you have made you are way ahead of the curve!
 
jeepseahawk said:
I started this hobby in March, all started with a Benchmade knife purchase just before. I was amazed with workmanship and how light it was. Than bingo, I have been pursuing a hobby since retiring and decided to research knife making. Found a southern California knife show in Brea, Ca and it began. Well, Covid also started and it has left me with no hands on training, literally all research on web. I built a grinder from plans on net, used Ameribrade parts since they are so close to me and very good people. Planned for Tru-grit to do my heat treating but this Covid killed my patience, just could not fathom waiting weeks for turn around, even when I live 30 miles from them, back-log.
Long story short, I decided to use 1084 and heat treat myself by making a copy of Atlas mini forge and buying their burner and few other parts. This is my current knife, probably 12th, this is fun but I could learn from hands on from a class.
W8oiK6R

bM8FQon

fruQj6C.jpg

STy57t8.jpg

bM8FQon.jpg
Click to expand...
They look great. The handles seem a bit short. IMHO I shoot for 4.75" - 5". I have been on blade forums for years and still don't know how to put pics directly on the post. How did you do that?
 
Howard1 said:
They look great. The handles seem a bit short. IMHO I shoot for 4.75" - 5". I have been on blade forums for years and still don't know how to put pics directly on the post. How did you do that?
Click to expand...
I cut my blanks that I built at handle and went one inch more, thinking this will help. Thanks for the great input. The handles seen in photos are 3.75 to 4.5, one inch should get me where I need to be.
 
Th
Daniel Fairly Knives said:
Great looking work!

I would work on handle shaping more, try to work more on the flats of the scales. Look at a lot of high end knives, they have a really crisp look. I'd say for how many knives you have made you are way ahead of the curve!
Click to expand...
Thank you, I believe handles are my weakness and will learn from more research. Wish I could take a class.
 
Forgot to add, my son designed my makers mark. Found a company to make a cold-stamp and believe it came out pretty good with practice on my end. "f" is for fenberg, shortened version of my last name Scherfenberg.
 
jeepseahawk said:
Th

Thank you, I believe handles are my weakness and will learn from more research. Wish I could take a class.
Click to expand...
Just ask more questions. If you can go to a knife show just look and handle other handles. Tell the maker that you are a maker. I have never gotten a bad reaction except from one famous maker that famous for being cranky at everyone all the time. Now that you have made knives you will see things in the shape and finish that you would never have seen before. It will be one ah-ha moment after another.
Hate to pester you but can I ask how you posted your pics on the forum.
Thanks
 
Richard338 said:
There are sticky threads at the top of the list that are worth reading.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/attach-images-to-your-threads-comments.1126014/
Click to expand...
I had already printed that sticky and was using it to attach on another posting. That showed up as a hypertext and worked fine. What I was looking for was getting the individual pics to post already open. A.McPherson sent me the info on how to do that and i will try it next time I need it. I really appreciate your taking the time to assist. Regards
 
Howard1 said:
Just ask more questions. If you can go to a knife show just look and handle other handles. Tell the maker that you are a maker. I have never gotten a bad reaction except from one famous maker that famous for being cranky at everyone all the time. Now that you have made knives you will see things in the shape and finish that you would never have seen before. It will be one ah-ha moment after another.
Hate to pester you but can I ask how you posted your pics on the forum.
Thanks
Click to expand...
I used imgur and copied the bb link for posting photos, someone mentioned it when I was having issues.
 
Nice work!!! I would have placed the lanyard hole at the top of the handle on the center and bottom knives in your first picture.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top