Some random action shots (just 'cuz)

Oh, and just for the record, I've put this pattern and blackwood together before, and I don't have a problem admitting I think it's pretty keen ;)

orig.jpg
 
Blackwood and damascus make for an absolutely classic combo - as the knife above amply demonstrates.

Roger
 
Just an unbelievable thread!

Many many thanks for detailing your progress, it's been great to witness those triumphs as they occur.

As a rank amateur this thread has really helped to keep me motivated, one day I might get there too!
 
Sorry but I did not know that the time thing was classified...

Trying to gather as much knowledge as I can until I get my shop set up. The fact of the matter is, Knive have always been something in the back of my mind and now that I found this forum and all you nice folk I may be able to actually make one on my own.

I like you modesty Nick, yeah, your fat!!! If your fat I would hate to know what I am. Whalesque perhaps? overoveroverweight? maybe just a big ole fatass! I wish I was fat like you my friend. hehe.

I do like the damascus blade with the black handles, they do match perfectly.

Thanks a million for sharing all of this information, it truly means so much to us.
 
Keithcellini said:
Sorry but I did not know that the time thing was classified...
.
Click to expand...

if I may
Nick did mention it may take him longer than someone else and he could be faster than others if someone is like me, many times I couldn't tell you how long it takes to make a knife you can get lost in finishing.. I'd like to think I make at least $35.00 per hour avg, but still it depends on what you are making and how well you want it to be as well as how well the customer wants it, he may not care as long as it works well.. to give you an Idea, for me, I can make from start to finish my ESK knife 14 of them in 1 week at $230.00 each you figure it out.. but that doesn't mean I'll sell 14 in a week, this is not tipical of me . I also have thess water jetted out to save a lot of time, and they are not meant to be pretty but only to work...
In turn I can stock grind a simple high carbon knife quench it and have it finished in 2 hours easy other than the time it takes to finish H/Ting it, that's what I call standing time.. mostly in the drawing/tempering of it..or you could add 1 hour to the time..
or I could spend over and week on a knife being picky, there isn't a lot of money in being picky :(
as nick says, but it's all in what you want for your self, if you have a good job and don't depend on knives for a living by all means ,,
but to each his own and depending your niche you may be in and your situation..
I hope this helps, if you'd like more from me on this subject feel free to email me..

Nick I'm sorry to have jumped on this here for you, I'll delete it if you'd like.
I also edited the last post I made , it wasn't comical enough I guess , it's that dry slapstick humor I have I guess. :o or you are indeed a sh!t head :D

OH BTW,,, that thang came out Sweet :thumbup:
 
Beautiful Knife Nick, damn you. :D:D

As for the time thing, it varies with everyone and every style of knifemaking, if you forge its going to take more time then just stock removal but then again that just gets you to point A, From point A to finish it depends on several factors, the most important being knowledge, but then again it all depends on where a person wants to take this profession/hobby. I couldn't tell you how many hours it takes on any knife I make, I don't time myself, I just start one and it takes as long as it takes. There's a lot of people that say I'll never be successful at this doing it this way, but if I had to make knives in a specified amount of time,I think knifemaking would soon become a past-time for me and I'd go get a real job again, but then again thats just me.

Good luck at Reno Nick,

Bill
 
I think that the Blackwood and damascus make a nice classic combo, but a nice piece of Walrus would really make this knife outstanding.
Maybe something like this?

I have resisted cutting it up for scales, maybe I'll make a bowie for it or trade it for scales?

Image_Bonus.asp


Image_Bonus.asp
 
Hey Nick, I know I'm jumping in late here but, I just wanted to tell you again what a great thread this is. I love seeing other people's shops and how they work. All of us have our own tips and touches and it's great to try new things. Speaking of which bud, those alignment tips we discussed in VT are working great. Thanks again. As far as a great maker and all around nice fella, Nick is very high on the list.
:thumbup:
 
:thumbup:
Hey Nick
Great thread if you could keep that ugly guy from sneaking into the pictures!
Seriously, thanks. I have a question for you.
Why have you gone to quenching in oil instead of a low temp salt?
The comments from people about knifemaking being a spooky thing to do is exactly why I made fancy paring knives for my mom and my mother in law a few years ago. Now they understand.

See ya
Alden
 
Let me add my 2 cents and say I really appreciate the effort that went into getting all the photos and writing this up. You have tons of patients and it show in the thread and your knives. Your a true asset to the knife world.
 
Thanks Nick for letting the guys explain things to me on your time...

This thread has become quite a nice one for sure! I think those pieces Striper has look great! It would be noce to see them somewhat whole on the back of a blade.

Oh and Nick, I hope I did not see you grinding away on your knife with no eye protection!! You are much too important to us for you to lose an eye. Keep thos puppies covered.
 
nick great shots and now that i see you small wheel platen im going to need to make/buy one for my grinder. as i have some integral kitchen knives i would like to try
 
Thanks again guys! :)

Chuck (striper 28)... I agree whole-heartedly!!! A piece like that is what I really wanted to use, but it needs a little more curve to get the drop I want in the handle. I have some really nice dark colored pieces like that and was hoping they would work.

I rarely put any wood with damascus other than blackwood. And ironwood. Always dark stuff.

I didn't even make it to the airport!!! I missed my frig'n plane to the ABS Reno show!!! This sucks the big one as I've been doing that show since it first started. It will move to San Antonio for August 2009. I really hope the ABS understands my situation and lets me keep my table.

The show was advertised as all Mastersmiths the first year. They couldn't get enough attendants, so opened it up to Js and then even As. I have been an As every year I've done the show. This would have been my first time at the show as a Js. So this sucks hard that I didn't make it.

I always like to look for the half-full thing though... And the plus here is that I can add some more pics of working on this knife now.

I will do some more "refininery" ;) on it as well. This is one of my favorite knives I have done, so I am stoked about it.

I am very fortunate to have some friends that are serious collectors and this piece has already found a new home. It was going to be up for grabs via the "drawing system" in the ABS show's new format, but now that I'm not there that is moot.

Thanks again for all the support guys.

Oh, and Keith H... You're welcome. I started by carving knives out of wood at age 12. I walked by the magazine rack at the local grocery store and saw Blade and KI. I thought, "I could make those!!!"

I had my first knife done, out of a file, by 14. It just went from there. I bought my Burr King, a Baldor buffer, and Jet 4X6 bandsaw at age 18. In the 12 years since then, I have spent a ridiculous amount of money on tools, supplies, and travel. But you know what... when I was 23 and saw one of MY knives in the pages of one of those mags for the first time... It was ALL WORTH IT.

Keith... just to let ya know, it's a tough thing to be in your twenties and try to explain to girls you make knives. I was a backstreet boy looking personal trainer and I never had much trouble approaching girls... get to the point of telling them I made knives and then things totally changed. But now that I'm 30 and not such a hot piece of ass, it's apparently more understandable!!! LOL ;) :D

I mean 26. Yea... 26 ;)
 
Oh, and Keithcellini-

I admire and respect AG VERY VERY MUCH!!!

But I gotta say I disagree with him on the time thing.

I'm very much like Bill Buxton in my approach. Bill is better at buckling down and getting knives done than I am... so he is making it work.

I am 100% devoted to the final product, AND... AND!!!! I was just diagnosed with ADD in December.

Basically I would only finish a knife if it was 100% to the best of my abilities, but it was nearly impossible for me to focus on one long enough to do that.

So for me to tell you how long it takes is a hard one to answer.

This knife has taken me a very long time. Let's just look at forging the steel.

I pick out the pieces of 1084/15N20 and stack them, weld them, put them in the forge, flux, forge weld, draw, stack, weld, forge weld, draw, stack... etc.

Pretty soon I've got a couple week-ends and several hours on "after work" days into just the steel. Then another week-end in forging the blade, grinding it, and heat-treating it.

I would not be a bit surprised if I have 50 hours or more in this piece from start to completion. Maybe more.

The FASTEST I have ever made a knife was 6.5 hours. I had a piece of damascus from another maker (customer provided it). I forged/ground/heat treated the blade, fit a stainless guard, a piece of stag, and got it all shaped/hand sanded/buffed out in 6.5 hours. I have never done one that fast before or since.


edited about 16 times for my "lack of cohesiveness" ;)
 
Nick,
Sorry to hear you missed your flight. Hope everything is OK... but let me also chime in to say that this thread has been thoroughly enjoyable and educational. Can't wait to see the finished knife.
 
NickWheeler said:
......

edited about 16 times for my "lack of cohesiveness" ;)
Click to expand...

Well, at 230 I doubt you'll lose enough cohesiveness to float away. ;)

Sorry to hear you'll miss the show, Nick. I know you enjoy it. :( I wondered what the heck was going on when I saw you posting today....
 
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