Wheeler's Steel * Stuck in the metal with you

I like Loriens laissez-fair attitude. Its a beauty mark. Gives it character. Cindy Crawfords mole.
Enjoy it in good health and thanks for this enjoyable thread.
 
Danbo said:
Ya know; looking close at that void, it looks like some kind of Pale Rider, on a horse, upside down. :) *Danbo runs, ducking for cover, now*
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I thought it was suppose to be there and was some sort of makers mark while it flashed up during loading. It really doesn't look bad to me as long as it is smooth. In the end it is up to Lorien and Nick to decide. Lorien is fine with it but Nick could see it as an imperfection in his quest for the perfect build and not want his name on it.

Mind you Nick's idea of an imperfection is 10X better than my perfect at least:o
 
I like the character of the wood, nature marks are enhancements to me (normally.). Either way, this has been a blast to watch unfold.
 
Damn, I cried a little when I saw the void. I agree with Lorien...if it were my knife I'd want it finished up as is. I like the Cindy Crawford mole analogy.
 
It's a tough call for sure. Maybe Lorien doesn't mind the blemish and it is going to be a user so with that in mind leave it as is.
On the other hand, this is Nick's knife with his name on it. Does he want that "out there" as a representation of his work? What if Lorien wants to sell it. There's a lot of exposure regarding this knife and it isn't up to Nick's usual standards he demands of his work.
Sure, we all know Nick and know about this knife now but what about 5-10 years down the road.

If you accept the knife as is Nick, you're really going to have to "let it go" and not let it get under your skin.
 
SBranson said:
It's a tough call for sure. Maybe Lorien doesn't mind the blemish and it is going to be a user so with that in mind leave it as is.
On the other hand, this is Nick's knife with his name on it. Does he want that "out there" as a representation of his work? What if Lorien wants to sell it. There's a lot of exposure regarding this knife and it isn't up to Nick's usual standards he demands of his work.
Sure, we all know Nick and know about this knife now but what about 5-10 years down the road.

If you accept the knife as is Nick, you're really going to have to "let it go" and not let it get under your skin.
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Angi and I haven't hit the road just yet. So you summed it up perfectly Stuart. :)

I appreciate the comments and advice... but in the grand scheme of things here... a knife like this will outlast both Lorien and myself... and it is my name on it. I doubt in 50 years anyone will know about a few posts to an internet forum recommending the knife be left as is.

But then again, it will probably be wrapped in grip tape and hemp chord and whoever is using it won't even know it has a wood handle. :eek: :rolleyes: ;) :p :)

Edited to add: Larry, that is so extremely generous, THANK YOU for such an amazing offer!!!! But that is way above and beyond and I wouldn't even think of asking you to do that. I already have a stunning piece of wood that can go on this knife. Oh, and the mystery wood here was indeed Australian Ringed Gidgee (damn Australians!!! ;) LOL, just josh'n!!! :) ).
 
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ok ok. I've said all I can say about this. Ultimately, Nick, this is your call and it's true- it is your knife. You won't be rehandling it for me, you'll be doing it for YOU, (because I will be happy with this knife regardless what handle it has on it. Well, not a husky poop handle, but anything else is fine by me).

I just want you to know that I'm with you 100%, whatever you decide to do.

ps. I didn't want to say this, because I don't want to encourage you to go through all the extra time, hassle and expense of removing the handle, but I have no doubt that the information on how to deal with this 'problem' would be helpful to other makers.
 
Lorien said:
ok ok. I've said all I can say about this. Ultimately, Nick, this is your call and it's true- it is your knife. You won't be rehandling it for me, you'll be doing it for YOU, (because I will be happy with this knife regardless what handle it has on it. Well, not a husky poop handle, but anything else is fine by me).

I just want you to know that I'm with you 100%, whatever you decide to do.

ps. I didn't want to say this, because I don't want to encourage you to go through all the extra time, hassle and expense of removing the handle, but I have no doubt that the information on how to deal with this 'problem' would be helpful to other makers.
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Stabilized Husky Poop Handles, that could be the next rage in custom knives:p
 
I think That is Lorien's Mark!!:p
That is Unfortunate Nick. Isn't it Possible to use the Sandings mixed with Superglue??
Lorien said:
Nick, I'm totally ok with it. That natural imperfection bothers me not at all.
It would bother me more if you took the hit, both in time and finances, to remove the handle and start from scratch.

The knife is perfect. Please finish it.
Remember, the customer is always right:thumbup:.
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Nick, how about thining the handle a bit more at the spot like someone mentioned?
How thick is the handle there?

/Magnus
 
NickWheeler said:
Well... this sucks giant donkey balls... but I guess life does that sometimes. I was in the homestretch when this popped up. It's just a natural void in the wood. NO WAY of knowing it was there until I filed into it.

I've heard you can fill them with superglue, so I gave it a shot. Well, like 7 shots actually... and you know what it looked like? A big void filled with superglue. So, um, yea... that ain't gonna cut it. :( :grumpy: :(

I guess this is the kind of spot you have to decide if you're going to be the guy that tries really hard to hide something that's not right, and then forever worry about it... or grit your teeth and do it right. As much as I don't want to and really can't afford to... this handle has to come off.:( :grumpy:(
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If I'm in your shoes I would do the same :cool: And you're on the right track Nick :cool:

Lorien might be happy with the knife now but one of the day in the future somehow he might want to pass the knife to other person and this other person might not as happy as Lorien in regard to this natural flaw! And at that time your name as the maker might be seen as the one who was responsible for purposely using a naturally flawed block of wood as the handle material :cool:

In the past I'd bought few knives which I found out to have flaws and my action was either I gave them away or I sold them with loss prices (i.e. after acknowledging the problem to the new custodians of the knives). Either way still the name of the makers were mentioned though without badmouthing them at all :o

mohd
 
I will not sell this knife.
 
I found that interesting. I have a hammer just like the one in the picture. Bought it at a yard sale years ago, think I paid a buck for it. Never knew what kind of hammer it was. Now I DOO!:)
 
NickWheeler said:
Angi and I haven't hit the road just yet. Oh, and the mystery wood here was indeed Australian Ringed Gidgee (damn Australians!!! ;) LOL, just josh'n!!! :) ).
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I hope you aren't driving down here to kick my butt!

Sorry to see what happened Nick. Must have been a heart breaker after all that hard work.
 
A friend of mine who makes a living as a wood turner showed me a technique that works very well for fixing these type of voids. Take dark coffee beans and hand crush/grind them to fine grounds. It is important that they are hand ground so there are different size particles witch gives a natural look. Then pack the void with the coffee as tightly as you can. Once packed add some thin super glue and let dry then sand and finish.


For this knife you would need to use some superglue thinner/remover and Q-tips and clear out the void for the coffee.



I hope this helps



Dan Keffeler
 
I feel for ya Nick. Been there before. I know what I did. I think I know what you will do to.

Do you guys really think he will leave it? Knowing Nick I dont think so. Did you hear his first reaction?

Makers of his caliber dont leave visible voids in a beautiful wood handle no matter what the customer wants. This kind of maker is only satified with a knife as nearly perfect as he can possibly make it. I think he will grind on the void and see how deep it goes. If it grinds out with the handle still within tolerance he will continue but if it gets bigger he'll cut that hunk of firewood off and start with another one. Just saying.
 
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