Road to journeyman

Following the same process, I moved on the rest of the handles. That's when I stopped taking frequent pictures.
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I remembered to take a picture of my nemesis, the grid of symmetry. The grid works wonders on places like the butt of the hande. Makes it really easy to find any inconsistencies.
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And this is the current state of the set.
All the handles are 95% done.
The fittings are at least 80% done on all of them.
The blades I'd say are a solid 82% of the way there.

The next presentation is happening on 20th of August at Mid-America Bladesmithing Symposium in Troy, Ohio. Which means I need to take my performance test and register for the judging by 19th of July.
It's going to be reaaaaally close time wise but I have faith.
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Thank you guys for the kind words, I really appreciate it.
Even though I posted the last update this morning, something really big has happened.

While I was getting ready to make the final arrangents with Paul to visit him in New York in the upcoming week, the most unexpected thing happened.

While sanding a handle, I took a minute to scroll through instagram. As I scrolled throught my feed, my eye picked up a picture of a plane and the words Athens, Greece.
Paused for a moment to read the post, someone was asking for recommendations to Athens, Greece. The someone? None other than mastersmith Karis Fisher! I couldn't believe my eyes and without missing a moment I sent her a message.

She kindly replied and agreed to oversee my test. The best part? She was not alone, her father Josh Fisher came by as well for my test.

Me and my wife picked them up in the afternoon and headed straight to the shop. We had a nice conversation regarding knives in general as a start. Josh asked me a few questions about my past, how I started making knives, who taught me etc.
After that, both Karis and Josh kindly gave me feedback for my presentation knives. I'm really glad to report that no major flaws were found. They did point out some things for me to work on but none of those things are considered worthy to fail. Keep in mind, the knives might fail if I do not make a proper job finishing them, nothing is set in stone until I've passed. They were able to see my capabilities of a finished blade because I had a practice piece to show.

Once I knew I'd test this morning, I retook 2/3 of the test to make sure everything was still fine. I practiced my rope cutting skills and chopped two 2x4s. Of course, I didn't do the bent test with this knife but I had it done months ago when I had it made along with another one.

I was really anxious and it shows in the following video. Moments before we began.
205.jpeg

Aaaand here we go.
Three tries are allowed on the rope cutting test, if the applicant can't do it, the mastersmith may try two more times. That's because a lot of times it's user error and not knife error.
Luckily I got it on the third try. The chopping took me a while, I could not find a proper position to do it without risking knocking the knife on something hard. Nonetheless, the knife performed as it should and shaved hair afterwards.
Finally, the 90 degrees bend test. Since I had worked a lot around this test, I was pretty confident but glad everything went so smoothly.

Seemingly calmer now that everything was over.
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Group photo with the Fisher family.
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With the test out of the way, I spent quite some time with Karis and Josh talking about knives.
Josh also was kind enough to show me his techniques around the guard. Once I'm over with the presentation knives I'm going to give his advice a go.
210.jpeg

I'm really glad this part of the process is out of the way and I cannot thank the Fisher family enough. Not only for overseeing my test or their feedback that it's worth its weight in gold but for the fact that I made new friends today and I cannot wait to meet them again in the futute.

Now it's time to focus on my presentation knives and make arrangements for Ohio.
 
Tony Mont said:
Thank you guys for the kind words, I really appreciate it.
Even though I posted the last update this morning, something really big has happened.

While I was getting ready to make the final arrangents with Paul to visit him in New York in the upcoming week, the most unexpected thing happened.

While sanding a handle, I took a minute to scroll through instagram. As I scrolled throught my feed, my eye picked up a picture of a plane and the words Athens, Greece.
Paused for a moment to read the post, someone was asking for recommendations to Athens, Greece. The someone? None other than mastersmith Karis Fisher! I couldn't believe my eyes and without missing a moment I sent her a message.

She kindly replied and agreed to oversee my test. The best part? She was not alone, her father Josh Fisher came by as well for my test.

Me and my wife picked them up in the afternoon and headed straight to the shop. We had a nice conversation regarding knives in general as a start. Josh asked me a few questions about my past, how I started making knives, who taught me etc.
After that, both Karis and Josh kindly gave me feedback for my presentation knives. I'm really glad to report that no major flaws were found. They did point out some things for me to work on but none of those things are considered worthy to fail. Keep in mind, the knives might fail if I do not make a proper job finishing them, nothing is set in stone until I've passed. They were able to see my capabilities of a finished blade because I had a practice piece to show.

Once I knew I'd test this morning, I retook 2/3 of the test to make sure everything was still fine. I practiced my rope cutting skills and chopped two 2x4s. Of course, I didn't do the bent test with this knife but I had it done months ago when I had it made along with another one.

I was really anxious and it shows in the following video. Moments before we began.
View attachment 2916820

Aaaand here we go.
Three tries are allowed on the rope cutting test, if the applicant can't do it, the mastersmith may try two more times. That's because a lot of times it's user error and not knife error.
Luckily I got it on the third try. The chopping took me a while, I could not find a proper position to do it without risking knocking the knife on something hard. Nonetheless, the knife performed as it should and shaved hair afterwards.
Finally, the 90 degrees bend test. Since I had worked a lot around this test, I was pretty confident but glad everything went so smoothly.

Seemingly calmer now that everything was over.
View attachment 2916821

Group photo with the Fisher family.
View attachment 2916824

With the test out of the way, I spent quite some time with Karis and Josh talking about knives.
Josh also was kind enough to show me his techniques around the guard. Once I'm over with the presentation knives I'm going to give his advice a go.
View attachment 2916825

I'm really glad this part of the process is out of the way and I cannot thank the Fisher family enough. Not only for overseeing my test or their feedback that it's worth its weight in gold but for the fact that I made new friends today and I cannot wait to meet them again in the futute.

Now it's time to focus on my presentation knives and make arrangements for Ohio.
Click to expand...
What A great story!!!!! Congrats. .pretty cool the way stuff works out sometimes huh.....😉

May lady luck continue to smile upon you.....

Though luck has Nuthin. To do with your excellent work!!!!👌👌👌

Oh where in NY you headed.......Im from the forgotten Boro of NY Shitty........but I'm up north of Albany in Adirondack Park for 3 weeks.........

Safe travels to you and best of luck👍
 
Thank you very much guys, I really appreciate it!

J jfk1110 I was extra lucky and I hadn't booked my flights or accomodation yet for New York.

There are a few things I'd like to ask if anyone can help me.

I've never been to the US before and I'm coming from Athens, Greece. The Symposium which I'm going to attend and present my knives is in Troy, Ohio.
The closest place I can reach is Dayton airport which is roughly an hour away from Troy. Does anyone know whether there is a bus or something from Dayton to Troy? Is there a website I can check for available rides? It might cost a lot but I assume, worst case scenario a taxi will do the hour long trip, right?

Also, I've noticed credit cards is the preferred way of payment and unfortunately I cannot have one. Are debit cards or revolut cards accepted? If not, is cash accepted widely? I'm asking for things like food and taxi rides mostly.

I'm sure I'm forgetting many important things to ask, do not worry, I will be back with more questions!
 
Tony, a couple suggestions. Yes, cash is widely accepted, but it might be more complicated if a hotel or car rental is used to holding a deposit. To avoid carrying a large sum in cash, you might consider getting a prepaid VISA card. You can use it like a credit card, but you don't run up a debt, you load it in advance.

Dayton Airport to Troy is an estimated 25 minute drive. The Lyft or Uber apps would probably cost around $40.
 
Last edited:
Tony Mont said:
Thank you very much guys, I really appreciate it!

J jfk1110 I was extra lucky and I hadn't booked my flights or accomodation yet for New York.

There are a few things I'd like to ask if anyone can help me.

I've never been to the US before and I'm coming from Athens, Greece. The Symposium which I'm going to attend and present my knives is in Troy, Ohio.
The closest place I can reach is Dayton airport which is roughly an hour away from Troy. Does anyone know whether there is a bus or something from Dayton to Troy? Is there a website I can check for available rides? It might cost a lot but I assume, worst case scenario a taxi will do the hour long trip, right?

Also, I've noticed credit cards is the preferred way of payment and unfortunately I cannot have one. Are debit cards or revolut cards accepted? If not, is cash accepted widely? I'm asking for things like food and taxi rides mostly.

I'm sure I'm forgetting many important things to ask, do not worry, I will be back with more questions!
Click to expand...
Tony, congratulations on your test and welcome. Josh and Karis are some of the best people and talented knife makers in the business! I have purchased knives from both of them. You are lucky.

Debit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Also smart phone payments are becoming more common after the USA fell years behind the rest of the world. So if you have your debit account set up in Apple Pay or Google Pay on your phone, that is another option. It is easier than card payments but will not work everywhere.
 
Congratulations Tony!!

Also, this is good advice👇

Richard338 said:
Tony, a couple suggestions. Yes, cash is widely accepted, but it might be more complicated if a hotel or car rental is used to holding a deposit. To avoid carrying a large sum in cash, you might consider getting a prepaid VISA card. You can use it like a credit card, but you don't run up a debt, you load it in advance.

Dayton Airport to Troy is an estimated 25 minute drive. The Lyft or Uber apps would probably cost around $40.
Click to expand...

DaveHS said:
Tony, congratulations on your test and welcome. Josh and Karis are some of the best people and talented knife makers in the business! I have purchased knives from both of them. You are lucky.

Debit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Also smart phone payments are becoming more common after the USA fell years behind the rest of the world. So if you have your debit account set up in Apple Pay or Google Pay on your phone, that is another option. It is easier than card payments but will not work everywhere.
Click to expand...
 
Thank you guys for your kind words and advice, it really helps and puts my mind at ease.
Since prepaid visas are used, I think I will be fine. However, since you can never be too safe, I will have the rest of the options you guys pointed me out as hand just in case.
 
Since I have not posted a lot of finishing stages, this update is going to be all about it.
I don't have a ton of pictures of the process, however there is not much to it. I pretty much sand the blades to 800grit and then I back down to 600grit with steady straight pulls.

This is before, the sanding scratches are going at an angle with 600grit.
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And this is the after, 800grit parallel lines. The picture might make it look like a good finish but it's awful.
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While I'm at it, I had to fix a little file mark on the choil area I made while shaping the guard.
This tiny mark took some effort to remove. I didn't want to go down on grits because things would start changing size and shape, something that would ruin the guard fit up and creat a whole bunch of problems.
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What's the goal here? To achieve a similar finish as the knife on the right. This knife even tho it is not part of my JS set, it had its finish critiqued by Karis and Josh, which makes it a perfect reference.
The blade on the left is not part of the set as well but a lovely EDC knife that I used a testing ground.
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Not 100% completed but reaaaally close. It's amazing how much of a difference the direct sunlight makes.

With the big one out of the way, I moved to the small EDC of the set. A little double sided tape makes an excellent clamp to sand the face of the guard.
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Not sure why the blade looks like it carries an uncurable disease but here it is almost finished up as well.
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Some viception action going on and a close up on the fighter.
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The fighter getting really close as well.

And finally, the small fighter.
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I never took a picture of it but the takedown camper is also sanded to a nice 600grit.

So far:
1) all the blades are sanded to 600grit.
2) all the handles are sanded to 1000grit.
3) all fittings are sanded to 400grit.

All that's left on all of them is some final clean up, sharpening and glue up. The glue up will happen right before I leave for Ohio, I want to have the option to work on them right to the latest moment (this is the reason I wanted to do takedown knives but they take me way more time and I wouldn't make it this year).

Apart from that and since I have some "spare" time, I will start making my back up blades soon.
 
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