Wheeler's Steel * Stuck in the metal with you

Matthew Gregory said:
All right, Nicky, before this dies... I've got one more question:

Your handles are wonderfully shaped. I find that I start with a block that is WAY too thick to begin, and end up shaving a ton off (which means lots more work, which means lots more chances to screw up with machines that move fast).

In general, what size blocks do you start with for a project like this one?
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Hey Nick! Did you miss this question?
 
Yea... sorry Matt! This thread was so consuming that I ended up just walking away from the computer for awhile because it was killing too much time.

As far as block size---- somewhere along the line 1.5" X 1" X 5" became the magical size that everybody decided knifemakers wanted. Unfortunately, 90% of the designs I come up with won't fit on that size of a block. Many of them can be squeezed onto a 1-3/4" wide block, but if I have my pick, I prefer 2" width so I can do a lot of drop/curve in the handle along with the sculpting stuff. 1" thick works just fine for me to get all that stuff in. This particular block of Koa was something like 1-5/8" thick, so there was a L-----O-----T of Koa dust coming off the 36 grit belt!!! :eek: Edited to add: And at least 5" long... but preferably 6" so I can place the handle where I want it on the rough block.

As per the design process--- it was sort of "crazy mountain bike guy meets snooty knife maker." ;)

Lorien sent me the pattern he had envisioned. I was torn at first because I liked the feel of the pattern, but it just didn't look like "my stuff." Once you dink around with this stuff for awhile, you come up with processes in the shop as well as a personal preference for line and feel. Now I know a lot of guys say (and I'm sure I have at one point or another) that their techniques help to achieve their style. For me, I realized it was what I was after for line and feel, that ultimately shaped my techniques. (and I actually think this is true for most other folks as well).

So when I saw his pattern, it wasn't that I thought, "Well, shoot, I can't make a knife the way I normally do and come up with that in the end." I looked at it and just felt like it wasn't what my eye would ultimately want to be seeing in the end. Or quite what I would want to sign my name onto for the life of the knife. So I sat down with the paper and pencil, just like in the first photos in this thread, and drew up a design based off of Lorien's pattern for what I felt would look like "my stuff" and feel good in the hand.

Luckily, Lorien realized what a pretentious boob I am, and ultimately let me make it the way I drew it. ;) :)
 
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I'm a ridiculous wood waster - I like BIG blocks. 5 1/2 by 2 1/2 or even 6 by 3.

Roger
 
RogerP said:
I'm a ridiculous wood waster - I like BIG blocks. 5 1/2 by 2 1/2 or even 6 by 3.

Roger
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it just gives you so many better options.

i understand wood suppliers wanting to get as many blocks out of their raw stock but I'd rather pay more for a block that is more flexible to the sizes I want.
 
I've kept returning to this thread for the soul sake of seeing some of the ingenious little jigs that you've made here, Nicky... a guy with a machine shop would be wise to make a couple of them and offer them for sale!
 
Matthew, most jigs are not that hard to make. Combine that with the fact that, as Nick said somewhere, we (knifemakers) are a bunch of cheap bastards ;) and it's not a a profitable endeavor.
 
Patrice, I work an absurd number of hours, and I'd much rather pay for a precision-made jig that will allow me to achieve more control in my knifemaking rather than spend time I barely have making jigs instead of making knives.
Can I do it? Of course. In fact, I have in many cases. However, I'd still prefer to make knives!
 
Matthew, I found it! :D

NickWheeler said:
Thanks guys! :) My dad always tells me I need to produce stuff like this and sell it. I ALWAYS laugh and tell him, "Hell no."

My Dad- "Why not?!?! People could really use something like that!!!"

Me- "Yea dad, and they are custom knife makers. They are do-it-your-selfers, and/or cheap bastards. So they would either make it themselves, or bitch about the price and never actually purchase one.!!!" :eek: ;) :p :D...
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I just had a dream about this knife last night. It was so real, the conversation I had with Nick in it, I can still remember...

What does it all mean?:confused:
 
Lorien said:
I just had a dream about this knife last night. It was so real, the conversation I had with Nick in it, I can still remember...

What does it all mean?:confused:
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Its obvious, you want him to make you another one. :D
 
Ok, so I've spent the whole day reading this entire AWESOME thread, but am left wondering WTH?!? Why are the final photos not up yet? Hasn't the knife been finished and sent to Coop for photos over a month ago? Is there another thread I'm missing or something?
 
it costs a fair amount of cash to have someone at the level of Coop's professionalism photograph a knife for a guy, and Nick had to save up for that plus there's other stuff, (ie; house hunting) going on plus knives being made for other guys. Pro photo is in the works...

It's all good, pics will be posted in due course. I for one, though, don't feel entitled to a Coop quality photo of this knife seeing as I can't afford it and won't be paying for it, and no one else following this thread should feel entitled to that either. Unless you want to send money to Nick to help him pay for it, that is;).

You'll get what you get, when you get it. Even though you might not deserve it:D
 
I don't feel entitled to anything, but if Nick ships it to Coop, I'll pick up the photo tab. Small payback for an awesomely informative thread.

Roger
 
That's very generous of you to offer Roger. I don't have much play money to spare with all going into the shop and materials. But I did pick up so much from this thread that I'll split the cost with you if you want.
 
holy crap Roger! You are the man.
MUCH respect from Sooke!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::cool:

you too, Patrice, that's a wonderful offer but I think you should put your money into your shop instead:thumbup:
 
Lorien said:
you too, Patrice, that's a wonderful offer but I think you should put your money into your shop instead:thumbup:
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I agree - kind offer that is appreciated - but put those funds into the shop.

Lorien - my pleasure.

Roger
 
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