The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Dun, dun, dun duuurrrrn (That's meant to be a fan fare)
Okay, here we go, I reached that point where the part of my brain that stores the few bits of knowledge I have speaks up. This time it reminded me of what happens when keep going passed where I am "happy with it" in search of "perfect." For my first attempt, I'm smiling like a new papa. It's no professional, but I likes it.
A edited list of things I have learned (mostly things I knew reaffirmed):
- eye and lung protect is for hand sanding to
- 320 grit makes a really smooth surface on a wood (chose not to do 400, 600 - can always do so later anyhow)
- Shape as much as possible before gluing, but no further, and it's best to leave more then take it away (I was pretty hard on my knife because of this balance as pictures will soon show)
- I like walnut
- The number of things Jk and other quality makers on BF have to become experts on astounds me
- I like wood, i like making things, I like making things with wood
- You will get cut, I don't know how, but my hands are full of small scratches and cuts They appear by magic, I don`t know where I get them!
- I can be reckless
- flesh does sand, Really quick when you use a power grinder!
- Screws sound like such a good idea...they have their plus points though
- It's reassuring to know the worse thing that can happen is you have a JK knife with a bad handle
- I like forge finish
- You'd be surprised what you can do with a small wood file
- Sometimes wood cracks, falls off, breaks and it's not your fault
- Most things can be fixed
- Some things can't be fixed
Okay, here it is, I want to know what you think,
Here is my LRK Plus and first handle attempt, it has had 1 coat of linseed oil so far, and the wood is walnut burl
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There is a small 1mm gap between the wood and the bottom of the finger groove (don't feel it in hand) and it is on only this scale - the one that cracked and I had to re-adjust - just saying)
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Note evidence of lost forge finish due o reckless sanding while rouging up the handle for epoxy
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Next to th JK Anniversary EDC in walnut burl
Now it's time for a sheath, I've already contacted Rick of RG leather, I want this one to have a nice home (and already have one to make for the MK anyway)
in that order, but don't tell my fiancée
Well done ky!!! You should be proud of that one, I think it came out great!! As much as it kills me to admit (plus the fact that I started this thread, plus the fact the lrk+ is a do it yourself platform, plus the fact that I probably look like a punk to all you guys around here), I sent mine out for scales and sheath. I was just getting too frustrated and it would put me in a rotten mood. I'm not sure why, but I feel the need to apologize to all of you, I feel like a real douche. Anyway, I'll post pics of it when I get it back. Bill Akers is putting the scales I sent him on and giving me a sheath. I sent it off to him with the ht scale removed so we'll see what it looks like when it comes back...
and peter....nice job, my friend. i liked your words of wisdom too. got a couple chuckles from those (as usual).
I've been wondering the same thingSo far, I`ve only seen two done with handles. Everybody else leaving their`s bare steel? I`ve only got three more of these to make.
I like the walnut burl. Are the screws countersunk?
The handle looks like it would be comfortable in the hand.
Nice work.
Glenn
Thanks john, means a lot, i appreciate itLooks darn good to me! Great job.
I always agree with TPVT, makes life easierI agree with TPVT, if it stops being fun, then don`t do it! That`s my plan with knifemaking, the day I`m not excited about going to work is the day I quit doing it.
Lol thanks guys, good to see I'm not going to be shunned around here! Plus I have lots to keep me busy, like dreaming of my first AR build and helping to plan my wedding (in that order, but don't tell my fiancée)
Unless you post pics of the AR build, I`m going to tell!
Nice job KY. It's obvious you put in a lot of thought and time to shaping the handle... looks comfortable. I can't wait to get started on mine.
I may have gone a little crazy last weekend making micarta for scales and liners
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