What is your favorite step in knife making?

Handle shaping on a full tang is one of my favorite parts. I also really enjou local deliveries when the customer sees and holds the knife for the first time, though it's usually bittersweet.

--nathan
 
I like when I have finished hand sanding. It means that part of the process is done :D plus I like the absolutely clean hand rubbed finish.

I also like getting the walk and talk right on the slipjoints and when I can first hold the finished knife in my hand, it makes me not want to sell them most of the time :)
 
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My favorite step in knife making is probably grinding. It's the most interesting part, and I enjoy seeing the knife start to take shape. I enjoy contouring handles and trying to get a nice, ergonomic feel.
 
I enjoy cutting out and profiling new blades. Getting them cleaned up and maybe lay down the initial grind. I hate trying to get my plunge lines straight, it's hard to do and I'm practicing! I also enjoy the handle work, finishing out and making it look all nice and shiny.
 
Oh, I just LOVE sanding out all the stupid little blemishes for hours on end. Makes me cry tears of ... joy.
 
Final sharpening, hands down. Its almost like a reminder that you're actually done. Its the last step from a shiny piece of metal to an actual knife.

Heat treat can also be fun (if not occasionally a little nerve racking).
 
I enjoy getting the profile done, and holding the shape of the knife. seeing how it feels in the hand and trying to see what it will turn out like.

But the best part, is when the customer is thrilled with the work you have done.

Oh, and when the check clears:D

Paul
 
Just being in the shop spending time with the tools of my trade is the best.

As too individual steps; I enjoy forging a blade to as close to its finished shape as possible.

Fred
 
My favorite part is cashing the check... Actually I think it's spending the money from the cashed check.
 
forging and stock removal by far, fire and sparks FTW!

heat treating is fun as well, it give me an excuse to run around in my leather apron and respirator. annealing sucks because its boring and I always end up doing it late at night and end up staying up too late to finish that last cycle, but its really satisfying having a fully heat treated blade ready to be cleaned up.

I hate doing the handles, infact if I could find someone who liked doing them I'd trade them a blade for every handle they made me. I really need to get better at this part though. I'm sure once I've gotten better at it, it won't be such a pain...a drill press would also help :o
 
hathegkla said:
I hate doing the handles, infact if I could find someone who liked doing them I'd trade them a blade for every handle they made me. I really need to get better at this part though. I'm sure once I've gotten better at it, it won't be such a pain...a drill press would also help :o
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I love doing handles :D
 
Forging. Everything else is either anxiety inducing or pure drudgery.;)
 
I spend the most time on planning, and I enjoy that.

File work, when I need to do it, is frankly a bit if a bore to me. I keep my mind focused on the end result and push through it.

Crafting the handle is the part that I take the most pride in now. Each time I start work on one I get ideas for the next one, but that's where I keep those ideas... plan the work, work the plan. But that said, I am already making spacers and parts for the next handle.

And of course I thoroughly enjoy showing off the finished product.

- Greg
 
my favorite is edge testing
close second is forging (in the winter those can flip easily)

my least favorite is stitching sheaths. tears my fingers up, but I like making sheaths anyways.

handle shaping is very enjoyable to me also, feeling that block of wood transform into a comfortable handle is neat.
 
Heat treating and tempering is my favorite part. That is the transition from a plain piece of steel into a working cutting tool. Next would have to be shaping the handles and putting the final finishes on the knife.
Scott
 
I just finished my first knife yesterday. It was a long time in the making (Oh, this next step would be so much better if I built <some tool>!).

I think setting the edge was the best part. "Oh hey, look! A knife!"


Doc
 
Phillip Patton said:
My favorite part is cashing the check... Actually I think it's spending the money from the cashed check.
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That is so crass; isn't it even more fun to fondle a hand full of new 50's?

Spending a handful of 50's, on a new machine is good fun, I'd say.

Fred:D
 
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