What part of knife making do you like the most?

[Nathan the Machinist]

It's exciting when a new pattern is born and a design I've been working on is finally realized in steel. It's an iterative process for me, starting with drawings and cardboard and clay and even computer models. But when the ideation is done and there is a real tangible design in shiny steel and wood I get pretty excited. I think my favorite part of the build process is the finish grind when it really starts to look good and it starts to reflect light a certain way. It's hard to capture it in pictures, but when you're holding a good clean grind in your hands that you've just made it's a visceral feeling.

But for me, actually building the knife is not the first thing. It's the vicarious travels. To me the most satisfying aspect of it is my work being used by other people, there's a connection there.

I also like the thrill when a sale goes well. There can be some highs and lows when you're a self employed artist. It's vindicating and an important ego boost when people want your work.



So, why do you do this? What's your favorite part?

 

[John Katt]

I had a feeling this question was coming ;0)

The look of a fresh 36 grit hollow grind that hits the scribe line right on the money ;0)

 

[S.Alexander]

That point when you're hand sanding and you can start to see the hamon clearly.

 

[bronyblacksmith]

either drawing out a new idea on paper or the last pimp stroke of sand paper when the knife is done.

 

[colu41]

Putting the edge on it and realizing another one is complete.....Such a good feeling.. Every aspect of knifemaking is great!

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Got a few:

When designing, finding that perfect little tweak that makes it all come together.

Shaping the handle with hand tools.

Fist time you see a knife all finished and assembled.

A few of those make all the less fun parts worth it. :thumbup:

 

[Jason Fry]

For me it's the part where the blade's been finished and the handle is coming together and for the first time I can see with my eyes (instead of my mind) how it is going to turn out.

I also really like the excited emails I get from customers when a knife arrives.

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

What I have always liked the most is turning an idea in my head into reality.

It's also about finding ways to make each knife better and seeing the result. Satisfaction...

I think I like doing the grinds the most as far as process goes.

Design...

There is nothing like having a framelock come out smooth after a few days of work.

 

[Lo/Rez]

I like it when I draw a knife and I get that feeling like it's going to feel good to use. I like grinding a blade. I like finishing a handle and seeing what the wood looks like. I haven't sold one yet but I'm sure I will like that too.

 

[LongRifle]

The finished piece. The work and frustration materialized. I haven't made a knife I wanted to sell...

 

[jobasha11]

The reply from an excited customer when they receive it.

Making a knife for myself just because I want to. And pushing the limits of that knife without being damaged.

Im not sure how it would feel to have a problem free build because it hasn't happened yet. Im sure I would like it though

 

[charlesh1028]

I'm New to knife making however I have completed a few and I would say that my favorite part is shaping the handle. Once this is done you get to see what the knife has come to be:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Darrin Sanders]

Heat treating is my hands down favorite part. I don't care what materials are used and what degree of finish those materials are taken to, it aint a KNIFE unless the H/T is done right.
I love "tweaking" things to see what happens when I change this or that.

 

[woodwrkr221]

Heat treating is my hands down favorite part. I don't care what materials are used and what degree of finish those materials are taken to, it aint a KNIFE unless the H/T is done right.
I love "tweaking" things to see what happens when I change this or that.

I'll agree with Darrin. What little I've learned about heat treating so far it's my favorite part, closely folowed by grinding the bevels.

 

[Cody Hofsommer]

Etching the Damascus, especially when it's a new pattern! Still gets me.

 

[FL_Jimbo_K]

I most enjoy the sharpening. Darrin S. heat treatment is tense, expectant, and satisfying, but final sharpening gets it for me. When your edge really CUTS, you know uou got it...

 

[kc custom]

Since the frame fit up is done before grinding on my knives (scales included) I'd have to say about
the time I get to a 320 grit belt on the grind. I know when I'm happy with the grind the
hand sanding will be a breeze. Then all thats left is a choil, swedges, nail nick, and finish the knife he he.
Ken.

 

[Fred.Rowe]

When all the pieces in a hidden tang knife, fit together perfectly and the knife in profile has a pleasing symmetry.

Its all downhill from there.

 

[Maelstrom78]

-I like the finish grinding too.
-The final straight pulls for hand sanding.
-Shaping the handles after the epoxy is cured. It feels like the project's disparate parts are coalescing.
-I like peening pins too.

 

[Bailey Knives]

Two for me. Etching a hamon is a lot of fun, it is reminds me of developing a picture. The hamon just appears when it is put in the right chemicals.

I also love shaping the handle. It goes from a block of unsightly wood to a shaped and polished handle within an hour or so. I can see the change happening right before my eyes and it is fun.

I like the other aspects too, grinding, shaping, forging, but those two parts are my favorite. Sometimes I wait until I have 3 or 4 knives ready for handles and do them all at once.