Student knife ...and introduction.

The knife does look great. Standout wood, and a tight guard fit. The clip is a nice touch, too. Bravo.

Barbara, if you read this, you need to get a bladeforums account. Then you can come talk to us crusty knifemakers about stuff. A fresh perspective is always welcome.
 
Umm i know you were looking for people to judge it but the only thing I could posibly see is maybe the handle is a little too long. of course this is just from a photo and Id really liek to hold it before saying that. Tell your student she did a amazing job!!! Problem is making a knife that nice for the first is we will expect even mroe next time! LOL you set the bar high for yourself barb!! Very good job. Create a account and keep us updated on future lessons and projects!
 
Barbara,Outstanding design great vision of form and funtion. You choise a great mentor. Love seeing a womens hand in the art. I will be looking foward to your next work.
 
Barbara
When I critique others work I take into account there experience level. Being that this is your first knife all I can say is OUTSTANDING. Your plunges are crisp, your overall lines are pleasing to the eye. Your fit and finish is top notch. Your guard is just right in shape and size, your wood choice and finish is superb. You have real potential girl, I hope to see others from you. You will only get better.
Chris W.
 
GREAT KNIFE.!! I would be proud to have that in my collection as it would put some of my Custom Knives and a few Production Knives to shame.* Keep doing what you are doing. Jack
 
Looks awesome! It makes my first knife look like a joke!

My only suggestion would be to grind the engraving off the spine, and have some professional stencils made up to etch your name on the blade.

It's a very nice knife, and deserves a quality maker's mark!
 
Thanks for the comments guys. I thought I would mention some things and give a little critique myself.
First...the dust....that was me....I cleaned the knife up before taking the pics.
Next...I agree the handle needs more shape...I tried to let Barb grind it till it fealt good to her...It feels great to me but is quite long in her hand. Barb tried to keep the blade on the shorter side so she wouldnt have any issues when carrying it...so IMO the blade is to short for the handle.....to each his own. Her instructions from me were..."most of your customers will have "normal" sized hands.
I guess technicaly it's not her first knife.....It is the first she has done with me with a handle and guard. She has made a couple of cord wraped knives and a dagger with a handle in another makers class. so...she does have her ugly first knives. This is just her first nice lookin one.

You have all made great comments that I hope Barbara will learn from.
Thanks
Mace
 
I personally think it looks great! For a "first timer" it is a great knife...something to be proud of for sure!
 
Very cool of you to pass along the knowledge!! I need you to tell Barbara two things.

First, she has watched and learned well, because she made a beautiful knife!!!:thumbup:
Second, Barb has excellent taste in music!!:D
 
Barb, it looks great to me. :thumbup: Something to be proud of and with the level you are at now you clearly your maker's mark.
And I agree with Salem. Register here so you can join me in telling some of those "critiques": You guys are just plain nuts! ;)
 
Awesome!!! My thoughts regarding handle:blade are the same as your Mace... but that's being picky. It's a great knife, and good on 'ya for guiding her!!! :)
 
Patrice Lemée;9516129 said:
And I agree with Salem. Register here so you can join me in telling some of those "critiques": You guys are just plain nuts! ;)
Click to expand...

This certainly can't be a surprise to you any longer, Patrice. Few of us even bother to deny we're nuts.
 
Hi Barb, Definitely an excellent first complete knife! It does tend to show who your teacher is --
very much in his style. That's actually good at this point, IMHO. I would have made the handle
more of an oval/teardrop cross section myself. That's partly personal taste and partly better
ergonomics.

Now you should get Mace to take you down to IG's hammer in tomorrow and meet some more
of the locals!
 
Very nice knife no matter the number. I like the fact you signed the spine. That's how I do it, shaky hand and all and not about to change. To me it's more personal. Never had a client complain.
Keep up the great work. Yeah, your hooked for sure.
 
Great looking knife!

No real critiques from my side. I like the overall shape. The handle looks great. Some one mentioned a handle pin, but not strictly necessary if the epoxy used is good stuff. In a knife that size, you would have to get pretty mid evil to knock the handle loose. You could add a pin to the next knife if you want.

Some one mentioned a lanyard hole, with a tube. I do tend to use them, even on smaller knives just to make retrieval from the sheath easier. I like a deep sheath with just the top of the handle showing. Makes retrieval harder without at least a small lanyard. The other thing about the lanyard tube, would be the ability to add a mechanical fastening point with a flared rivet tube, or just straight tube. If you run it through the end part of the tang it makes a mechanical anchor point every bit a strong (if not even stronger) than even a good sized cross pin). Of course if it is a narrow stick tang, that won't work.

Handle shape looks great to me. I would have to hold it in my hand to decide if the shape fit my hand. Everyone has a different feel and opinion. A handle that is right for you won't fit my meaty XXL hands with stubby fingers.

Sheath also looks great to my eye.

If I could make a sheath and knife like that, I would be a very happy garage maker!!!!!


I have often wished I had a great maker in my town, so I could simply volunteer my free time just to have access to the knowledge, and tools.


I remember when Bruce Bump (if I remember correctly) was looking for an apprentice about 3 or 4 years ago. I sure was tempted to apply. Pull up stakes, quite law school, and make knives. The wife was not so keen on that idea!
 
Barb, great knife! the points the guys make are great, but are you happy with it? that Barb is the key!

Barb i'm old enough to be your dad so with all due respect .... pretty girl, pretty girl pounding steel, pretty knife, black sabbath t-shirt........... HAWT!

congrats kiddo

jake
 
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