OT: the part I dread the most about knifemaking

Daniel Koster

Daniel Koster

www.kosterknives.com
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 18, 2001
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Monday sucks....and now it doubly sucks because I get the pleasure of doing the one part of knifemaking I loathe the most.

Bent blade after heat treat? Nope - doesn't even make me flinch.

Sharpening, maybe? (duh....love that part)

Grinding/Eating metal dust? - a necessary evil, but not that bad.

Hand sanding till my joints want to pop?


No, it's glue-up. It drives me crazy. If I could afford to pay somebody to do it I would. Drives me nuts and adds gray hair for sure. My family knows to leave me alone because it can get ugly fast. Fortunately, I've taken measures to make it a little better than it used to be. But it's still the part I like the least.

And to make matters worse, I've managed to pile up a few knives to glue-up all at once. When I've visited Tom Krein's shop, I've seen him do his glue-up in just a few minutes each. He's a pro. This wouldn't even phase him. But, for me, for some reason, I like to complicate things. :rolleyes: :footinmou

Anyway, here's a pic:


0523008.jpg



These are all going to the Blade Show and have been "in the works" for a long time. I've been dreading the glue-up for a week. Spent about an hour handpicking and color-matching the materials this afternoon.

Wish me luck....I'll need it! :(
 
Dude!
Those already look great. Wrap one of them with some paracord and Id take it into combat. Especially the skinnier, pointier ones.

(Dont think it hasnt happened. I know some Army guys who like to by the 6 inch chefs knife from Henckels and have custom sheaths made for them. The blades are like 1/4 " thick at the spine..)
31021-160B.jpg
 
Daniel Koster said:
These are all going to the Blade Show and have been "in the works" for a long time. I've been dreading the glue-up for a week. Spent about an hour handpicking and color-matching the materials this afternoon.

:(
Click to expand...

Aha! Procrastinating? Yah, for some reason gluing one or two is a lot less stressful than doing several at once! I don't envy you. Super Nice blades!
 
well take your time on mine and make sure its the best material you have :rolleyes:
 
Very efficient doing them all at once. Just trying to put some kind of positive spin on it ... :rolleyes: :D but true none the less.


Plus you'll know you've gotten better the day you casually say to whomever, "let me just glue these up real quick, and then I'll be right there."

~ b
 
You've heard it before but you'll hear it again - those temper lines are gorgeous, Dan. That's the kind of thing that I'd love to have in my kitchen but would be afraid to use. :) Are you going to post pics of them after the handles are done, before they're gone?
 
Beautiful blades. The only advice I'd give anyone about gluing up handles is to be sure you dry fit everything before opening up the glue (or mixing epoxy.)
 
Art S. said:
Beautiful blades. The only advice I'd give anyone about gluing up handles is to be sure you dry fit everything before opening up the glue (or mixing epoxy.)
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Yep! And im my case with khuk handles masking tape is my best friend.

Adding to the, "Beautiful temper lines Dan.":D :cool:
 
thanks for the nice words, guys.

The temper lines did turn out nice (thankfully) :o

I photograph every knife that leaves my shop now...but I might not get around to posting the pics until we get back.

There are certainly ways to make the process easier...but I'm too picky for my own good. I do as Art suggested and dry fit everything carefully. That's the nerve wracking part, actually. Like I said, if I could settle for just an 'ole piece of oak, I'd be ok. Oh well....
 
Beautiful, beautiful work, Dan. Wow, i really have to get off my butt and shoot you an e-mail. You're more of a perfecting master than I can ever hope to be. Mine would have been wrapped in duct tape and fitted with a BruiseLeee custom cardboard sheath long ago.

Jake
 
Four down, three to go....:(


It takes an hour or two (each) to get them glued up. It will pay off in the end, but man....




I am using acraglas, mixed with dust/particles from the handle materials. Makes for a nice "speckley" glue. Too bad most of it gets hidden. But I like to leave a thin glue line anyway...so maybe those who know might enjoy it.
 
Everytime I see one of your blades I get this overpowering urge to chop onions and peppers to make a big pot of chilli.
 
Daniel Koster said:
I am using acraglas, mixed with dust/particles from the handle materials. Makes for a nice "speckley" glue. Too bad most of it gets hidden. But I like to leave a thin glue line anyway...so maybe those who know might enjoy it.
Click to expand...

Thanks Dan!

Steve
 
whew.....made it! Somehow survived.


0523013.jpg






But it took the whole daggum day....:mad: :grumpy: :(
 
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