Numbers 3, 4, and 5, in progress

Beautiful work. I'll never have the patience, even if I had the dexterity.
Would textured dimples in an easy open notch make sense on a slippery knife like a sailors'?
 
Very cool! I applaud your efforts! Nice work so far! And, thanks for sharing with us, despite your reservations. :thumbup:
 
I admire you for taking the time, effort, and cost it needs to enter such an exclusive realm of craftmanship. I am certain you will produce some very nice knives. I can only contribute with an user's point of view, so I will dish out my two pence because I dream of a knife high-ended on my wishes, not on big company marketing, whatever :
Blade steel : reliable, easy and lasting = 1095 (way better steels are available but way more expensive : is it worth it ?, you choose...)
Slipjoint : put on the strongest spring ever (for strongest "no closing on your fingers" safety...), forget the nail wheenies they are tended at by the current market...
Long pull : of course, especially with the beefy spring... (and a nice handle cutout for "pinching", when I have greasy fingers or soft nails)
Half stop : of course (once more), safety, convenience while opening, closing...
Wooden scales : just my taste, I just can't get stoked on Micarta...
Stag scales : see above
Bone scales : see above
Horn scales : see above
Good luck and get well, I'll be back if I discover some more groundbreaking news...
 
Sp, I'm hesitant to venture to far from the realm of "normal" in my knives. I don't feel really very good at "normal" yet. I actually think that Scagel had it right by using a hole in his blade instead of a nail nick. It is super easy to get a grip on the blade when your hands are cold or wet. I may do one like that later.

pM, Thanks! Please see further reservations below.

Herrisen, thanks for your input. As far as steel goes, I think it comes down to what you want to do with your knife. I like A2 for its edge holding and toughness in my small knives above 60 Rc. Are there better steels? Sure. I'd love to work with M90 or CPM-3v, but both would be kind of ridiculous for a slipjoint.

Duly noted regarding cover material. I like natural too, but micarta is cheap and easy to learn on.


I wish I'd have not swedged the sailing knife. I should have just left it alone and done it simple. I'm having some technical difficulties regarding my grinder.
 
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I sent the sailing knife and the little hunter to a friend (not sure if I can mention him here) for HT. Unfortunately, they didn't harden appropriately. I fully trust his HT, and several other parts came out appropriately, so I think my O1, wasn't. Marked O1, from a shelf marked O1. Different alloy apparently, or a different/out of spec version of O1. Anyway, I'll try again with different steel.

My zulu spear is coming along. I got my platen issues fixed, kind of, so I was able to grind it a bit. The nail nick isn't perfect, but ya work with the tools ya gots. I still need to drill a hole for the forward cover pin up near the bolsters, but its coming along. I lost about a 1/16" off the blade because I'm an idiot, but it is still full enough to finish.

The covers and bolsters are only at 80 grit now. I'll sand them higher by hand.

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Now, off to heat treat!
 
Thanks Frank. I sanded the covers up to 600 with oil and I'm very happy with how they turned out. They aren't glossy, but a nice even matte finish that will make a good working knife. I can't wait to get it pinned and I'm my pocket.

I sent it to heat treat yesterday, so it should be back in 10 days or so. Meanwhile, my steady rests were heat treated yesterday, so I should have them Tuesday. Going to be a good week.
 
I'm envious.
I often wonder if I have what it takes to make a nice slipjoint knife, but you are doing it!

Thanks for the WIP pics, I'm really looking forward to seeing how they turn out.
 
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