Stepped up my fit and finish! Feed back wanted

[Rleo]

So a lot of you told me my fit and finish was off so here's my latest knife.
D2 5/32
Blade length 3.75in
Handle length 4in
OAL 7.75in
Handle material was made by @normstradomus on Instagram, unsure if he's on here but his stuff is awesome.

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[exracr]

Handle looks nice! The back flat part of the blade needs evened out fyi. Post a picture of the blade on it's back so we can see how the tang/handle sit/edging wise. Personally I don't know why people put that cut in the back of the blade? Sharpen the blade and strop it to a shiny edge and lets see it then!

I deeply respect anyone who makes knives.... I know I can't do it!

 

[LX_Emergency]

Allright. Is this your second attempt then?

Some remarks:
- The front tube is really off center....it's kind of weird on the eyes.
- The...I'm not sure what to call it "guard"? Seems like it has a number of rough spots that would irritate the fingers. Do some filing/sanding to clean that up and it'll be much nicer.
- Nicely rounded edges on the scales, Good job on that.
- The rear tube seems to be in about the right spot. Well done.
- The "swedge" looks decent although a little short. But that's a matter of taste not per sé good or bad. It is VERY uneven however. Next time work a little to see if you can make those even on both sides.
- The bladegrind seems a little thick at the edge. But it does look like the primairy grind is about even on both sides. Good job on that, that's not always easy.
- It looks like you did a lot of hand sanding (I can't really tell for sure by the pictures) but forgot or neglected to take out some of the grinding marks before moving up to finer grits. That's a shame.


All in. doing good, making progress! Keep it up!

 

[Craig Daniel]

OK Rleo, Where are you located? Maybe there is a knife maker near you who you can visit and give you a lot of help. When you design your knife leave the choil area a little longer 1/4 - 3/8 inch, This will give you enough room to form a finger guard better. Keep working and you will make strides in knife making, Great job over all on the knife!

 

[Rleo]

Allright. Is this your second attempt then?

Some remarks:
- The front tube is really off center....it's kind of weird on the eyes.
- The...I'm not sure what to call it "guard"? Seems like it has a number of rough spots that would irritate the fingers. Do some filing/sanding to clean that up and it'll be much nicer.
- Nicely rounded edges on the scales, Good job on that.
- The rear tube seems to be in about the right spot. Well done.
- The "swedge" looks decent although a little short. But that's a matter of taste not per sé good or bad. It is VERY uneven however. Next time work a little to see if you can make those even on both sides.
- The bladegrind seems a little thick at the edge. But it does look like the primairy grind is about even on both sides. Good job on that, that's not always easy.
- It looks like you did a lot of hand sanding (I can't really tell for sure by the pictures) but forgot or neglected to take out some of the grinding marks before moving up to finer grits. That's a shame.


All in. doing good, making progress! Keep it up!

Thank you, all my grinds are done free hand on a 2x42 making the knife symmetrical has been very very difficult. This is about my 10th knife. The top pin is actually center but due to a dramatic bevel on the handle it appears like it's not. My first time working with any kind of resin. And it was also my first time hand sanding a finish on the blade. I did correct the guard just after these pictures were taken.

 

[Rleo]

Also there's a few guys that make knives around here many times but none of them seem interested in even having me just drop by and see what their equipment looks like. Geoff blavut? I think that's how you spell his name "Tuff Knives" is literally less than a mild down the road, and there's another guy in the town over like 15 minutes away I forget his name, another custom folder guy who's b-hole seems too tight. It seems like the most welcoming community is right here on this forum because my local one seems to suck ass


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[HSC ///]

I would suggest you make a much simpler knife.
I know it's fun to make the sort of knife you like, but there is value is making a simpler knife that has less going on when you are starting out

Also on visiting a knifemaker, I did that early on and found it to be more or less a waste of time.
Sure they were nice and helpful and generous with their time and it gave me some exposure.

But making a visit and taking a real class with an individual who knows how to teach, has a curriculum and plan and receives payment is a very different result.
If you want to make strides and take time off the learning curve, find a class and make the investment.
Tuition (learning) will cost you no matter what if you pursue this.

 

[Chris Meyer]

Rleo, I wouldn't be so quick to judge knifemakers in you area. Think about it from their perspective; most of us work on knives part time, out of our homes, where we live with our families. Would you be willing to let a complete stranger into your home, to see where you keep all of the expensive equipment you have accumulated over the years? I once had a guy from another state call me out of the blue to say that he had seen one of my knives in a magazine, and could he come and stay with me so that I could teach him how to make knives? At the time I had a day job, a wife, and three little girls at home. Naturally, I (politely) declined the guy's request.

As for knifemakers with actual shops; I currently work at a shop in an industrial park, making knives for someone else. While I would be willing to show someone around, I'm sure my boss would not appreciate me giving shop tours and instructions to friends (or strangers). He does bring his friends by to do these things and, literally, they sometimes get in my way. However, my boss pays me and the bills, so he can do what he wants.

You would have far better luck if you befriended other knifemakers, maybe even here, before you asked them for a shop tour. If you want to meet a bunch of makers and learn about knifemaking, you can sign up for the New England Bladesmiths Guild seminar every September, and there may be events even closer to you. (Your posts don't give your location, but it looks like you are in PA.) Good luck.

 

[Rleo]

Rleo, I wouldn't be so quick to judge knifemakers in you area. Think about it from their perspective; most of us work on knives part time, out of our homes, where we live with our families. Would you be willing to let a complete stranger into your home, to see where you keep all of the expensive equipment you have accumulated over the years? I once had a guy from another state call me out of the blue to say that he had seen one of my knives in a magazine, and could he come and stay with me so that I could teach him how to make knives? At the time I had a day job, a wife, and three little girls at home. Naturally, I (politely) declined the guy's request.

As for knifemakers with actual shops; I currently work at a shop in an industrial park, making knives for someone else. While I would be willing to show someone around, I'm sure my boss would not appreciate me giving shop tours and instructions to friends (or strangers). He does bring his friends by to do these things and, literally, they sometimes get in my way. However, my boss pays me and the bills, so he can do what he wants.

You would have far better luck if you befriended other knifemakers, maybe even here, before you asked them for a shop tour. If you want to meet a bunch of makers and learn about knifemaking, you can sign up for the New England Bladesmiths Guild seminar every September, and there may be events even closer to you. (Your posts don't give your location, but it looks like you are in PA.) Good luck.

I guess I'm just the type of guy who likes to believe that if someone has respect for the art and the craft of any kind will be happy to at least acknowledge someone asking for help or insight not just completely ignore them

 

[Kohai999]

I guess I'm just the type of guy who likes to believe that if someone has respect for the art and the craft of any kind will be happy to at least acknowledge someone asking for help or insight not just completely ignore them

That is not a realistic expectation.

Nobody OWES you anything....you establish relationships based upon your personality and character traits which are displayed over a period of time, not on your willingness to ask questions or learn.

Here's an example....

There is a well known knife shop in an industrial park close to where I live, owned and operated by two brothers.

I made contact with this shop on the request of a mutual friend(step 1) and arranged to meet with them.

We got together and had a fun time talking about knives and briefly checking out the shop(step 2)

I have taken them out to lunch and visited briefly when mutually convenient, making sure to not overstay my welcome or get in the way....I always offer my help and let them know if they need anything to reach out and let me know.(step 3)

Last year, they had an open house, and we shot some videos at the shop, posted them on youtube, benefitting ALL of us(step 4)

Last month after over a year of knowing them, I asked to use their bead blaster and tumbler....which was freely made available to me. It was a prototype project, and if we went ahead with it, I was expected to carry my weight by cleaning up after myself and doing similar work for them....donating my time, while they donated their equipment.(step 5)

Establish a relationship, based upon respect and trust and move forward organically from there....does this make sense?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson