Rehandled an old knife for a friend- how can I further improve on my skills?

[esnyx]

Jatoba scales and brass bolster. I kept the original steel liners per my buddy's request. I wish I took a before pic on this one, it was rusted and heavily pitted. Took a lot of sanding and polish to get the blade to where it is. Critiques are welcome!

 

[lowspeedone]

Looks like a fine effort to me!

 

[Bo T]

Looks like you did a good job. You could put together some kit knives or further along try making a knife from scratch.

 

[esnyx]

Looks like you did a good job. You could put together some kit knives or further along try making a knife from scratch.

Thanks! Eventually I might try my hand at making a blade, I would love to have something that I completely made by myself.

Wouldn't getting a knife kit be less challenging than to disassemble an old knife and make the scales and hardware all myself? Correct me if I am wrong, as I am still very new to knife making.

 

[Bo T]

Perhaps, but you ask about furthering your skills, so working with a fixed blade, using different fasteners, perhaps soldering the bolsters or guard, epoxy use, different wood, liners, and the list goes on... would hopefully increase your knowledge and skill in working with different media.

Also, your single project might not convey your level of knowledge/competence.

 

[esnyx]

Perhaps, but you ask about furthering your skills, so working with a fixed blade, using different fasteners, perhaps soldering the bolsters or guard, epoxy use, different wood, liners, and the list goes on... would hopefully increase your knowledge and skill in working with different media.

Also, your single project might not convey your level of knowledge/competence.

That is a good point, and I absolutely do have A LOT to learn. I have learned a lot over the last couple of months though and have managed to rehandle about 6 folders and 1 fixed blade. I have also learned how to make my own micarta and mosaic pins, which have turned out surprisingly nice, I just wish I had more time in the day to learn about and work on knife making...

Thanks for the input! You've got my gears spinning and now I want to go back into the shop and put in work. Haha