Soldering Critique

[Sam Wilson]

I recently finished this one up, and I have some questions that need to be answered by experienced folks. I like to silver solder my guards because I think it adds a touch of class. I know some don't care for it, but that's another thread. I'm curious to know what level of finish is considered "good to go" on a soldered guard. This is how, in general, I finish mine. I can finish it finer, but I also have to balance that with cost/time spent, and the intended purpose of the knife, which in this case is a field/survival type knife. So let me have it. Does it need to be cleaned up more, have I spent too much time already, looks like crap, whatever. Hit me.

Thanks for the punishment in advance,

Sam :thumbup:

 

[Frank Niro]

I think that is a very well done connection. If you say it is not your best(?) I would have to ask why do second class when you are able to do first. You work quality is perhaps the first thing to help sell your knives if that's what you want to do. I do my best always. If something shows bad, I've either missed it or could not do better which really hurts. Frank

 

[tryppyr]

Sorry, I can't see the solder because I'm staring at the poorly etched name and steel type.

 

[Sam Wilson]

Thank you, Frank. I appreciate your opinion. The way I look at it when it comes to selling knives that I make, is I want to provide a product with a level of fit/finish and performance commensurate with the price. Obviously, I do my best to make a quality knife. When price becomes a constraint, though, I try to focus the maximum amount of effort on the functional side, and then do what's appropriate on the aesthetic side.

If I'm selling a little utility knife for $75, I don't think it's reasonable to have a premium steel, exotic handle material, and maximum level of fit/finish for that price. I won't stay in business. I wouldn't say this was a second class soldering job for me, just because I can do a little better. I looked at it as doing the best I could do for the price point/intended purpose of the knife. This knife was designed to be used in the field, and beat on, not a safe queen.

Maybe my thoughts are skewed, and that's why I'm asking in here, but that's the way I looked at it. Providing the appropriate level of F&F for the price/use of the knife. Again, I'm rather new to this, so that's why I want to hear from more experienced folks. I thank you for you comment, and please feel free to respond/continue.

Sam :thumbup:

 

[Sam Wilson]

Sorry, I can't see the solder because I'm staring at the poorly etched name and steel type.

Fortunately, I wasn't interested in a critique on the etching. This is prototype of a new knife system that stayed with me. If you can't see the soldering, there's really no need to comment in a thread about "Soldering Critique." I may start another thread about "Etching Critique" at a later date. But I thank you for your thoughts.

Sam

 

[Rick Marchand]

I'm no solder expert but it seems excessive to me. I would rather not see a bead. It sure looks strong.

 

[Sam Wilson]

I'm no solder expert but it seems excessive to me. I would rather not see a bead. It sure looks strong.

Thank you, Rick. That is what I am working toward, is a finer and finer bead. I've still got plenty of room for improvement. I don't know if I'll ever be able to make it invisible, though. But that's what practice is for. Appreciate the critique,

Sam

 

[Matthew Gregory]

Fortunately, I wasn't interested in a critique on the etching. This is prototype of a new knife system that stayed with me. If you can't see the soldering, there's really no need to comment in a thread about "Soldering Critique." I may start another thread about "Etching Critique" at a later date. But I thank you for your thoughts.

Sam

Couldn't agree more. Bad form. Kudos to you for opening your work up to criticism, Sam. Others could benefit by doing the same!

To answer your question, a smaller bead would likely be cleaner, but, that doesn't mean this isn't good. Personally, I don't mind the look at all. You're also inspiring me to solder more guards. Frankly, it's the right way to do it!

 

[Sam Wilson]

Thank you, Matthew. It's been a while since I've seen my mother-in-law, so I needed a good summation of my shortcomings . I thought posting this might do the job, lol. My goal is to continually work to improve the soldering, as I think a good solder job can really set a knife off. Thanks for the encouragement, and please solder more and post the pics. It's actually kind of fun once you start to get the hang of it, to me anyway. Thanks again,

Sam :thumbup:

 

[John Katt]

All I see is a great looking knife

I obtained a video of bob loveless soldering a guard and he used a mill to remove the last little bit of solder, maybe thats what you need to do to satisfy your worst critic...yourself ;0)

 

[i4Marc]

Could not the excess solder be removed with a bronze rod sharpened to a chisel point? Then you would have the strength and the clean look.

 

[Sam Wilson]

All I see is a great looking knife

I obtained a video of bob loveless soldering a guard and he used a mill to remove the last little bit of solder, maybe thats what you need to do to satisfy your worst critic...yourself ;0)

Thank you, John. You're too kind. That mill idea is a neat one, though. I had never heard of that. I don't have a mill, but I will definitely store that idea away for when I do. And you're right about the worst critic part, lol.

Could not the excess solder be removed with a bronze rod sharpened to a chisel point? Then you would have the strength and the clean look.

You're absolutely right, Marc. My main reason for posting this is gather different opinions about what is considered a "good" solder joint. There is everything from Loveless to Randall to many others out there, and all have a different size bead. And obviously it depends to a certain degree on what tools and amount of time I will put into it. That's why I'm curious what others think. Thank you very much,

Sam :thumbup:

 

[AVigil]

Sorry, I can't see the solder because I'm staring at the poorly etched name and steel type.

I thought we got past those kind of comments on this forum?

 

[12345678910]

My thoughts, if you want us to comment on something, let's see well lit in focus photos with no manipulation

Those photos look black and white to me, which alters the appearance of the solder.
Unless you're shooting in 35mm film, I assume you photo-shopped / manipulated it.



The lighting is from the back and the solder joint is always in the shadow of the guard for each photo.

give a little light from the front, maybe a reflector

 

[Sam Wilson]

My thoughts, if you want us to comment on something, let's see well lit in focus photos with no manipulation

Those photos look black and white to me, which alters the appearance of the solder.
Unless you're shooting in 35mm film, I assume you photo-shopped / manipulated it.



The lighting is from the back and the solder joint is always in the shadow of the guard for each photo.

give a little light from the front, maybe a reflector

That's the best I've got, photowise. Those were taken with a digital camera in my home-made light box. They're color photos, straight from the camera, no Photoshop, or any other editing done. I can't take any better photographs right now. I'm working on improving that, too. But that's another thread.

Just to be clear, there were NO alterations or "manipulations" to the photos in any way. These are straight from the camera. Thanks for you help, anyway.

Sam

 

[argel55]

If you want to clean the solder line up more, get you a 3/16 rod of brass and sharpen it to one edge. The brass will cut the solder and not scratch the steel.To get even finer use a finer crayton wheel in a dremel to polish it out.

 

[Sam Wilson]

If you want to clean the solder line up more, get you a 3/16 rod of brass and sharpen it to one edge. The brass will cut the solder and not scratch the steel.To get even finer use a finer crayton wheel in a dremel to polish it out.

Thank you, argel55. I agree with you about the methods to clean it even further. I was more curious about what you and others thought about the solder as it is in the photos above. I thank you for your comment, though.

Sam :thumbup:

 

[tryppyr]

Fortunately, I wasn't interested in a critique on the etching. This is prototype of a new knife system that stayed with me. If you can't see the soldering, there's really no need to comment in a thread about "Soldering Critique." I may start another thread about "Etching Critique" at a later date. But I thank you for your thoughts.

Sam

Yes, I was out of line. I apologize. I'm having a weird day.

 

[Sam Wilson]

Yes, I was out of line. I apologize. I'm having a weird day.

Don't worry about it, man. I make hollow handle knives for a living(part-time). My whole career is based off of a clichéd movie and it's horrible sequels from the 80's. Getting laughed at is a way of life for me . Already forgotten.

Sam :thumbup:

 

[kc custom]

That solder joint is great. Yeah you could whittle it down to be smaller
but thats totally up to you. What I'm saying is it does'nt need improvment.
Nice work.
Ken.