New Knife Maker in Town... Well Sorta.

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dukhunter20

Joined
Oct 4, 2010
Messages
4
Hey guys,

I have yet to post anything on the forums, however, I have been researching and crawling all over them. I jumped into the knife making craft hoping to have some success, and to have a really fun hobby. I first started with some really bad steel from the hardware store to see if I could even produce anything from the tools that I had (an angle grinder and sand paper). I will save myself the embarrassment and not show the pictures of it. oh well, live and learn.

I decided on picking up some simple harbor freight "on-sale" tools ( 1" belt sander, 4" belt sander, drill press, and a 6" grinder) with the intention of aiding my production experience. By the way these are great inexpensive tools for normal around the garage needs. Before I started my next knife, my curiosity and habit of getting into big projects steered me into building my own heat treating oven. With success, I went on to make my first three O1 heat treated knives. I will post some pictures of those and my heat treating set-up later.

After completing what I thought were decent blades, I decided to actually design (sketch) a family of blades that to me work as general utility/edc knives. Here is a photo of my sketch...

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After profiling, grinding, heat treating, sanding, mycarta making, kydex forming, paracord wrapping, and well you get the point, here are a couple of completed examples...

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The total line up is 5 - small neck/pocket knives, 2 - mid neck/edc knives, and 1 - mid/large carry knife. Some of these are gifts/ keepers, but I may sell the rest. I have yet to decide if these are worthy of the "Knife Maker" selling arena.

Sorry for such a long post. Please let me know what you guys think. I could use all of the critiquing that you can dish out.

Also I will be posting more pics as I finish up the smaller dudes. I'm working on putting together a new blog. Check it out at hutchknives.blogspot.com. It is still in the construction process so you won't miss anything.

Respectfully,

Hutch
 
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I like your actual knife better than the design. I don't like to have sharp points right next to my fore finger. To make that point look even more professional round it slightly to give a polished look to the start of the blade.
 
I like the designs, they're nice and "flowing". I did the same as you buying mild steel to prove to myself that I could in fact make something resembling a knife. Apparently you're a fast learner. I think your designs would look good wearing a pair of wood scales with the grain accentuating the lines of the steel.

What did you use to cut the notches on top of the blade?

- LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin
 
good work, looks like they would be comfortable in the hand and would be a joy to use.
 
Thank you for the quick follow ups.

argel55 said:
I like your actual knife better than the design. I don't like to have sharp points right next to my fore finger. To make that point look even more professional round it slightly to give a polished look to the start of the blade.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with you on the sharp edges being next to the index finger. I need some practice on the finish of the blade so I will be sure to keep the point rounding in mind.

lonepine said:
I think your designs would look good wearing a pair of wood scales with the grain accentuating the lines of the steel.
Click to expand...

On my next knives list!
 
You are off to a good start. Welcome to the forums! My advice to you is practice, practice, practice. It's the only way to get your grinding real solid and your knives will begin to have a good flow to them. You seem to be motivated for sure, so I'll bet I didn't have to tell you anyway.

Oh, and don't be afraid of a little hand sanding. It would blend your micarta for instance, and make it nice and smooth.

One more thing, I'm not crazy about the square-ish heel at the bottom of the ricasso on the bottom knife in your first post. It sticks down below the edge, which would render part of the edge useless if cutting against a flat surface. It seems like it would also make sharpening a little bit harder. I'd bring the plunge back far enough to eliminate that, or at least grind that bit up flush with the edge like the knife in your third post.
 
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awesome start! Great looking drawings, and I too like the real ones better.
One thing that jumped at me was the uneven thumb jimping, a checkering file would be a cheap investment to perfect this area as well as elevate the overall quality to match the rest of the knife.
 
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Thanks for all of the great feedback!

What did you use to cut the notches on top of the blade?
Click to expand...

I was using a hacksaw for most of these. I have since picked up a portable band, and use that now.

Salem, thank you for the great advice. I will take that notch up like you suggested. I must have gotten carried away on that edge.

Sticky, You are absolutely right on the thumb notches, I think I was just rushing a little and did not perfect the spacing. I will look into a checkering file and try it out.
 
dukhunter20 said:
Thanks for all of the great feedback!



I was using a hacksaw for most of these. I have since picked up a portable band, and use that now.

Salem, thank you for the great advice. I will take that notch up like you suggested. I must have gotten carried away on that edge.

Sticky, You are absolutely right on the thumb notches, I think I was just rushing a little and did not perfect the spacing. I will look into a checkering file and try it out.
Click to expand...

I measure mine (when I remember) and mark where I'm going to do the jimping. It helps if you start the jimping with something that cuts well like a three sided file it makes it easier. Start with a little more metal in the area you are jimping the gring the outline down, it looks cleaner that way.

I just got a 20 lpi checkering file from Jantz that I'm sure would be perfect for the type of jimping you are doing.

I haven't done much jimping but I've been having good luck so far, I hope this helps.

I like those knives... keep it up! The way you executed your designs is impressive, I have a really hard time with that.
 
Things are looking great. Your first knives are way better than mine were. However, I learned a LOT in the process. Here are the things I learned making subsequent knives, that I wish I'd known right away:

1) Scales slapped on the blade with rounded edges does not equal a handle. Spend some time figuring out how a blade is held, and contour the handle to facilitate holding it. I tend to use a knife with my index finger on the top of the blade, so my pinch point is at the bottom of the index finger cut out. But that's just me.

2) It is a b***h for me to finish hand sanding. Especially at the ricasso. Some of it is my fault in screwing up the grind but I have to work and work at it. Of all the skills I've improved, that one is lagging the others. You seem to have done a very good job of it.

3) Think about what you know you can improve for the next knife/knives you do. I have a mental list, and you should make one too.

4) Making knives is cool as hell.

Good luck. You're way ahead of my learning curve!
 
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