Supreme frustration

Roadrunner

Roadrunner

Joined
Jun 9, 1999
Messages
4,729
Or: Wow this is a lot harder than I thought. Today I spent close to five hours woking on a new handle for the UBBB BAS I bought nearly two months ago. This was the third attmept; the first handle cracked when I clamped it too tight in the vice and I made the tang hole too big in the second. When I shaped the handle there was a pocket of empty space right below the bolster. I took these two as learning experiences and managed to keep it in perspective. But today just took the cake. After getting the handle drilled and shaped, a process which took the better part of two days due to my inexperience and limited tools, the d@mn thing chipped out while I was attaching the buttcap! Not a little chip mind you; more like half the bottom end of the handle. Somehow I managed not to throw anything or put my fist through a wall but it was close. I think I may have left a small dent in the garage door. This blade is starting to look like an ideal candidate for a leather handle, because it doesn't seem too happy with the walnut. Thanks for letting me vent a bit, I figured most of you guys could relate. However, I will prevail! No mere BAS will thwart my designs!

On a positive note, my second attempt at leatherwork went very well. The sheath for the Kumar Karda I posted earlier is only waiting on a buckle and surface finish and my first attempt at a friction fit pouch sheath turned out great. Pics coming soon. :D
 
Been there. Done that. Mine's still on the workbench. One year later. I admire your stick-to-it-iveness.

Steve
 
Thanks ferguson. I just double checked; the garage door does in fact have a dent and my right knuckles hurt. Really have to work on some type of relaxation technique because wearing a cast is just no fun and unproductive to boot. Focusing on the positive, however, brings us to those sheaths.

XFKFM-shoppics.jpg
 
I used to carve grips for Single Action Rugers. Many were almost done when a catastrophy happened. In fact, it was not uncommon for every successful grip pair to have a failure pair behind it.


munk
 
:eek: I'd need to keep a punching bag in my shop to vent on! In fact I think I should do that now. :cool:
 
ahh......memories.....:D


gotta pay ur dues, RR......(sorry - had to say it. ;))



Oh....should also mention that even though you'll get better.....you'll never be immune to the oopsies.


Can't help ya with the frustration bit....de-stress stuff, etc.

But.......one thing I can tell you:

If you're any bit frustrated, or having a rough day....Do NOT touch any important knife projects. You will screw 'em up every time.

I'll only grind if I'm in a great mood....laid back....relaxed.

Worse project screw-ups come from 2 main sources - impatience and frustration.



That said....I have been known to do some profiling when in a foul mood....the scream of the metal, sparks flying everywhere, pushing real hard on the platen......seems to release the banshees.

:D :o
 
Thanks for the advice and encouragement everyone. I learned the lesson about quitting when things go this bad a while ago. The problem just snowballs after that.
 
chin-up, Kurt.

Ed Fowler has admitted to throwing away dozens of blanks before getting the "right one".
 
Sometimes I luck out and get one right the very first time, like I did with the pretty yellow Honey Locust handle set I made for a Sun,Moon, and Stars khukuri.:D But I took a great deal of care Every step of the way with it and never rushed the job which methinks counts for the success I had with it.:D
Like I say from time to time, "Great care and patience makes up a great deal for lack of skill and knowledge."
Doing things that way has let me accomplish many things I could not have accomplished otherwise.:D :cool: :D
 
RR?

Anger is always the result of unfulfilled expectations.
MESSAGES FROM MICHAEL

There is always a reason for the breakage. Better it happen in process than in use, eh?


ohmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm





Kis
 
Yvsa and Kismet, very true words. I need to work on the patience part too.

Danny, I didn't lengthen the tang any, but I did move the handle close to the blade if that makes any sense. It also looks longer because there's no bolster. I had planned to have one, but when I started putting it all together I kind of liked the way it felt without one. Next time I might give it a small ferrule instead.
 
On the habaki bolster on the BAS, was there any blade under the flat part or just laha and tang? I'm curious...
 
John, I don't think so. There wasn't any blade under the habaki portion of the Kumar Karda or the Sirupati I took apart either. The good part about that from my perspective is it leaves plenty of room to extend the handle length. :)
 
When I get frustrated I put down my projects, throw a piece of rebar in the forge and practice hammering.
 
Kurt,
A good, solid trash can is a very important piece of shop equipment, sad to say. Learning the hard way ain't easy, pal. :grumpy:
 
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