Wanting to make a set of gifts knifes. Ideas please

Ok here are the results of the first grind. I have learned that I need a better grinder and hand filing takes days.
First%20grind2.jpg

First%20grind.jpg


So, if you had to put pins on this knife, where would you locate them? Should I frill out lightening holes in the handle for balance? How does the distal taper look? The spine view is from the point to the butt.
Thanks guys.
 
You should have done the handle holes before tapering the tang. As far as drilling them now you could put a wedge under one side so it sits square. You could also put a small level on top of the tang to verify it's level. I usually oversize the tang holes a bit and keep the scale holes tighter.

Otherwise, the taper looks good as far as I can tell.
 
Good point. I will drill them out on the mill and set it with a level. I will remeber that for the future.
 
Looks pretty good to me. A couple things, I find it easier to put the holes in after I profile but before I grind. If using a Spanish notch I like to center my plunge in it if possible. And looking at your grind marks it looks as if you ground the tang horizontally. That makes it extremely difficult to get it truly flat. Just some of my options noons on how I do things. Good job.
 
Thanks for the input. The tang was actually ground vertically. I think I just cleaned it up a bit when I was done so the grind lines reflect that. I was kind of under the impression that the notch was there to make it easier to sharpen so I figured the extra room would be helpful between the edge and the full thickness stock on the ricasso. Of course i don't want my knives looking goofy either.
 
The choil ( Spanish notch) should not be put in until the blade is ready for HT ... or even after HT. For best looks, it should be bisected by the plunge line, not in front of it.

I bet it started centered and the plunge walked back from it ... which is why you don't put in until the blade is done to 400 grit.
 
Well, it ended up right where I put it. I guess I will try it bisecting on the plunge line on the next one and see which I like better.
The next knife should go a little easier anyhow. I made a list of steps that help the operations go along better such as drilling out the handle before I taper it and such.
Thanks for all the tips and critiques.
 
That tang edges looks like they may have gotten rounded during the grind. Double check to make sure that it's really flat otherwise you'll have larger glue lines then you need to. Maybe lap it with some sandpaper on a flat surface.
 
On the choil, I do mine at the end right before sharpening. Use a dremel and a carbide chainsaw sharpening bit. It's easier to match the choil to the plunge instead of the plunge to the choil. As far as the tang goes I flatten it when profiling and try not to touch it anymore. Flat tangs with no visible glue line are the type of things that separate good knives from great knives. Looking good so far bud! Keep it up!
 
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