New to the hobby... but already in deep

tryppyr

tryppyr

Joined
Feb 5, 2010
Messages
3,911
I just started working on knives a couple of months ago. I bought a blade from a local knife shop and fitted it with a finger guard and a handle, then made a rather crude but effective sheath for it. I'll post some pictures later.

Once that project was done I decided to take a step back, so I bought a damascus bar and am now in the process of making a dagger from it. I have already ground out the blade, and today I roughed out the handle portion (more than just a tang, the metal will be an integral part of the final handle).

I'm already thinking about the sheath for this knife. I've dyed three colors of leather and have a rough idea what I want, but no specific designs yet.

For me the fun of this isn't the end product... though I do enjoy that too. The real pleasure is in doing something with my hands and having something tangible to show for the effort and time invested. I also enjoy the creative aspect of coming up with a design for each of the components. My tools are simple and basic, as is my technique at this point, but I like the results just the same.

I may ask some pretty basic questions in this forum, because I don't have the background and experience some of you have. Bear with me... I'm learning.

- Greg
 
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This one was made from a Michael Andersson damascus blade, a piece of stabalized box elder, and a piece of metal cut from a long bent bar stock.

Knife1-1.jpg

Knife1-2.jpg

Knife1-Sheathed.jpg
 
This one is still a work in progress. The source stock was a damascus bar made by Matt Whitmuss.

Knife2-1.jpg
 
Congratulations on the hobby!

Pretty gutsy to start in on Damascus - most folk start with cheaper stuff until they're sure they'll be happy with their results.

Welcome.
 
Welcome to the forums.
Threads like this one are usually posted in the "Shop Talk" section. Around The Grinder is for non-knife chit-chat and non-public ( you have to be registered to view the content here) threads about us and our passions.

Glad you are getting off to a good start making knives. Looks good.

Filling out your profile will help us know a bit more about you, and the location may turn up a close by knifemaker. Knowing things like where you are and your basic profile will help get you better answers.

I have a question about the guard on the knife shown. Why is it turned back over the top of the handle?

Stacy
 
I put a little info in the profile... I think. I hope that's what you were referring to.

I tried posting in a different forum, but Post New Thread wasn't an option there. I attributed that to the fact I have a Basic membership, and I suppose the posting privilege is limited to Knifemaker level membership.

In response to the question about the guard, there are two parts to the answer. The most important reason is that it seemed like a good idea. The second reason is that the steel bar from which it was cut had the bend in it, which probably accounts for why it seemed like a good idea at the time. ;)

GuardStock.jpg


- Greg
 
Thanks for filling out the profile. There are several good makers in the Seattle area, and other places in Washington state. Next time you post ask if one of them would have you over for a visit.
Stacy
 
Welcome to BF Greg! :thumbup:

I believe you should be able to post in the knife talk forum. Don't know why you couldn't. Maybe you weren't logged in at the time? :confused:

I too wondered about the guard. Seems like if you spun it around so the bend was at the bottom of the handle, you would of had a ready made guard. Come on, admit it. That's what you were trying to do, but after you glued it all up you realized you put it on backwards...it's okay, you can tell us. ;)

All the best, Phil
 
There's no glue in the knife. The guard is held in place by the blade, which has tension put on it by having slightly offset the holes drilled in the tang from those drilled in the hole in the handle.

When I finished the guard, I tried it on both ways and just preferred the orientation it has now. It made more logical sense to me anyway, and I prefer the aesthetic.

- Greg
 
No, the reason I said it seemed more logical is because the curved portion of the guard doesn't rise far enough from the handle to cover the fingers... but it does rise high enough to cover the webbing of the thumb.

The aesthetic reason has to do with the design concept. As noted before, I started with the blade. It has a simple curve on it, and I had seen knives that followed the line of that curve in reverse on the handle. I liked that look and decided to do the same on my handle. The blade and handle alone looked odd... it needed something between them, so I added another simple curved piece. When installing it I tried it curve up (following the line of the handle) and curve down (following the line of the blade). Truthfully, I thought it looked a little better curve down, but because the logical part of my brain dominates, I went with curve up.

I suppose you might say I overthought the problem... but I did seek input from a couple of people, and they didn't seem to think it mattered, so I followed my instinct.

- Greg
 
I spent some time this weekend forming the handle for the second knife project. It is now taped into place, so I can drill the holes for the pins that will secure it. At the moment, I'm in a holding pattern while I consider how I want to secure the handle permanently. Ideally, the method would be invisible and NOT based on glue of any sort. I have a few ideas, but nothing I'm ready to commit to at this time. In the meantime, I'm going to continue work on the sheath.

I've also started the third project by grinding the rough shape out of that bar of titanium I was given. It's too rough to photograph at this time. This material is difficult to work, largely because the bar is so thick. But I will persevere and see this one through. It's a special project.

Finally, I ordered another pre-made blade. This one is just plain steel (i.e. not damascus), but it has a lovely image of a woman with flowing hair etched on bothe sides. Like the first project this will be a handle and sheath project.

- Greg
 
Now that my handle making skills are somewhat more advanced, I've decided to revisit my first project. I carefully cut off the old handle, and will now begin working on another... probably a stacked handle. This one presents another challenge though, as it has a very short tang (2.5 inches) that has already been compromised with two holes. Let's see if I have what it takes to revive this project.

DSCN5289.JPG


- Greg
 
tryppyr said:
I just started working on knives a couple of months ago. I bought a blade from a local knife shop and fitted it with a finger guard and a handle, then made a rather crude but effective sheath for it. I'll post some pictures later.

Once that project was done I decided to take a step back, so I bought a damascus bar and am now in the process of making a dagger from it. I have already ground out the blade, and today I roughed out the handle portion (more than just a tang, the metal will be an integral part of the final handle).

I'm already thinking about the sheath for this knife. I've dyed three colors of leather and have a rough idea what I want, but no specific designs yet.

For me the fun of this isn't the end product... though I do enjoy that too. The real pleasure is in doing something with my hands and having something tangible to show for the effort and time invested. I also enjoy the creative aspect of coming up with a design for each of the components. My tools are simple and basic, as is my technique at this point, but I like the results just the same.

I may ask some pretty basic questions in this forum, because I don't have the background and experience some of you have. Bear with me... I'm learning.

- Greg
Click to expand...

Hey Greg, speak up no one will laugh at you. Im a great believer in sharing the knowledge and you have made your start! and this looks like a great site Best wishes
Chirripa.
 
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