what's the next step?

G

gaspassah

Joined
Feb 13, 2009
Messages
20
longtime lurker and admirer of the art i've seen on here. i bought some blanks from usknifemakers.com got some files and a few other goodies and went to work.
couple of my observations on knifemaking..
had no idea how important sand paper is... had no idea how fast i could screw up a piece of steel with a file...
however.. the fourth piece of steel i have ground and sanded has turned out pretty good. although i recognize some flaws.. i've sanded to 220 grit, scratches are out i'm taking some weight out of the handle with drill holes...

so after i finish with holes for weight removal and pin holes am i ready for heat treat.. i feel like i've done about all i can do other than 400 and 600 grit paper..
i have some black ash burl blocks and was wondering how thick to cut the scales. the blocks are 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 x 6,, my knife handle is 4 1/2" long.. it looks like i could get 2 sets from each block...
i plan on attaching the scales with locktight epoxy 5 min set.. and stainless 1/4" pins..
thanks,
david g
 
Hopefully someone in Jackson or nearby can offer you some hands on help!
HT , post HT sanding, plus fit & finish is all you have left! :-)
I can't help you too much. I would only suggest a better epoxy than
the 5 min type, and don't sqeeze out all the glue when you clamp it. I have
done that. The attached slabs did not survive our kitchen long!!
Welcome to the addiction!
OBTW. graduated from Anes School in 81 (Your forum name)
Tom
So.Ga.
 
My own experience has led me to use 30 min epoxy instead of the 5. And use clamps, just put something, like a steel plate, between the clamps and the wood scales to prevent the clamps from denting the wood, or you'll have a heck of a time sanding those out. Also, make sure you use epoxy on the pins too, to ensure a good fit. Be careful when hammering the pins that you don't spread the metal out so much that it splits the wood. I've done that too many times, and then all you can do is toss it in the fire to burn off the wood and epoxy, send it back to heat treat, and try again.
 
Scales are generally cut at 3/8" thick. Assuming your blade is 1/8", then the total thickness of blade and scales will be 7/8". Usually, you will want to finish a handle to about 5/8" thick or a little bit thinner.

Cutting the scales at 3/8" thick will allow you some stock to remove and thus shape the handle to your liking.

Mike L.
 
thanks for the reply guys.. tommegow i graduated in '05 and it was the best thing i've ever done.. looks like just some cleanup work and off to heat treat,, any suggestions on heat treaters with quick turnaround time.. btw i checked the epoxy.. it's not 5 min it's much longer epoxy.. 6 minutes :p
thanks
david g
 
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