Tai Goo class knife

[bluejaunte]

I've typically spent time over in the "Custom & Handmade Knives" forum and originally posted this there for that reason. It's become clear to me now that I probably should have posted this over here instead.

This is the first (and thanks to two shoulder surgeries in the past two months, still the only) knife I ever had a hand in making. I'm hoping to get a basic forge setup ASAP before I forget everything Tai taught me!


I've decided to include all the pics I have of the process. Some unfortunately were taken on my cellphone cam, and thus aren't of the highest quality (not that any of my pictures are ever of very high quality).

Tai's 40-buck forge:
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4679/forgedg2.jpg

The "banana":

Tai showing me how to get those bevels set:

After the first round of forging and descaling:

Low-temp finishing forging to help refine grain size and reduce the amount of filing needed later. Note the top chimney spouting flames; that held a wood splint or 2 for reducing scale buildup:

After finish forging, some drawfiling, and heat treating:

After LOTS and LOTS of filing and sanding, sharpening, edge and flex testing, etching, and fitting the walnut block selected for the handle:

And after my amateurish copper work, wrapping, and sharpening:

Please remember that this was all done with hand tools, time, insufficient patience, and a bit of beer. Tai also had nothing to do with any of the work after the handle was roughed out -- so don't blame him. The only thing that really annoys me is the buttcap. I think I'm going to yank it off and recess it or something. I do like the 'pigtail' I came up with though. I also kind of like the integral ferrule/habaki thing, hammer marks and all. She balances nicely as a chopper, but is still thin enough to do some good slicing and pointy enough for a fighter.

Tai and I both beat on the finished blade a bit before doing the etching etc. We chopped partway through a 2x6 and did some flex testing that was pretty satisfying. It was still shaving sharp afterwards. To top it off I accidentally dropped the knife onto my cement garage floor and only bent the tip a tiny bit--it sharpened right out.

Comments, questions, suggestions, all appreciated.

 

[bluejaunte]

I shrank down the buttcap and recessed it, then made a serious mild steel scroll to top it off. I think it looks quite a bit better!

Before:

After:

 

[fitzo]

Here's my opinion.... it is simply a point of view and made with the the authority of neither a master nor a collector

I wouldn't change a damned thing about that knife.

It marks a point in time, your first knife. If you never make another knife, you can look at it years from now and say, "not too shabby at all for my only effort".

I like it. Very much. The copper work and the butt give it a folksy appeal I find charming.

You did good. Make another and you'll do even better. Good luck with the shoulder.

 

[Fiddleback]

Fitz said it perfectly. That is a fantastic knife IMO.

 

[bikermikearchery]

nice work. I like it.

 

[Will Leavitt]

That's a knife to be proud of, great job.

 

[Bruce Bump]

IMO my hat is off to anybody who takes the time neccesary to make a knife the way you did. Now for the critique.....I cant see a dang thing wrong. I like it.

 

[Mark Williams]

Well said Mike

Definately a first to be proud of.

Good luck with the shoulder.

Watch your form when hammering and you will be fine.

 

[bluejaunte]

Thank you all for your comments!

Fitzo, I like to think of myself as a folksy kind of guy, so I take that as a high compliment indeed!

Bruce, all of the hand filing was kind of a drag at first but as I got into it I found it helped me really understand the complex contours of the plunge, etc. One kinda neat thing that came out of it is that the distal taper isn't linear...it's very slightly concave.

While I'm very happy with the outcome, I do see many places where I could've done better. However, at this point I don't have the skill to do things better in a reasonable amount of time! I'm sure my next one will take longer, as I probably won't have Tai around to fix all of my mistakes (and there were many--if someone can be an imp and a saint at the same time, it's Tai ).

Fortunately my hammering shoulder is healing up nicely. I just had the other one operated on last week so it'll be at least a few weeks before I'm ready to hold a hot 'n' heavy chunk of steel with that arm. Thanks for the good wishes!

Aaron

 

[fitzo]

.......While I'm very happy with the outcome, I do see many places where I could've done better. .....

Welcome to knifemakeing, Aaron. That is the essence of the craft. There is a significant benefit in cultivating a self-honesty that allows one to be happy with accomplishments while at the same time acknowledging in detail the areas marked for improvement on the next knife.

It's definitely a journey, and few leave the gate an immediate Triple Crown winner.

I've been back to look at this knife several times this afternoon, and repeat my enjoyment of it. It embodies the "essence of 'the imp'" on a first try, and that's an accomplishment.:thumbup:

Enjoy your journey.

 

[SAR]

Man that would be cool to hang out with Tai and build a knife. Great job!

Spencer

 

[Allen Newberry]

That is a VERY col knife.

Allen

 

[Dan Pierson]

I keep coming back and looking at this -- like it a lot, you can see Tai's influence but you're definitely there too. I like it a lot; wish my first was near as good.

 

[RMLamey]

Looks good to me, I gotta say I liked it more with just the Walnut... What are the dimensions?

 

[greenwoods]

Aaron,
That knife has soul and strength. I really like it, a mountain man would be proud to carry and depend on it.

Mark

 

[Patrickknives]

I would not change anything, I bet that thing cuts like crazy. Very nice design and execution. Carry with alot of pride.

 

[Tai Goo]

Hey Fitzo, I think I might be able to get some good mileage out of, and really capitalize on the "Imp" image.

There's certainly been enough others who have,... kind of the archetypical bladesmith.

It was a pleasure having the opportunity to work with Aaron.

 

[fitzo]

Hey Fitzo, I think I might be able to get some good mileage out of, and really capitalize on the "Imp" image.

It's been said, "If the shoe fits....."

I think, at the very least, there's an idea in there for a series of knives with either forged or sculpted Tai Goo grotesques for pommels or handles. You like "concept" series like the bush knives and e-neps. A pointy-eared Tai-imp sitting on the end of a handle might be a nice challenge. I can even picture a fetish push dagger with a imp for the handle. LOL

 

[Tai Goo]

It's been said, "If the shoe fits....."

I think, at the very least, there's an idea in there for a series of knives with either forged or sculpted Tai Goo grotesques for pommels or handles. You like "concept" series like the bush knives and e-neps. A pointy-eared Tai-imp sitting on the end of a handle might be a nice challenge. I can even picture a fetish push dagger with a imp for the handle. LOL

LOL

I'll give that some serious thought.

 

[Wild Rose]

...and the handle should be out of oosic??