WIP - 1st knife looking for feedback

[seionage]

hi all,
I've done 1 kit knife, and decided to try my hand at a complete knife from scratch using files.

I'm looking for any and all feedback I can get along the way. Unfortunately, I'm a few steps in, but thought I would still post anyway. I'll always take feedback that says "you could have done it this way...". ;-)

Here is the design I drew up in PaintShop Pro.

Because I have an 18" piece of O1, I decided to layout design B and C. However, I'm going to just work on Design B, so I only screw up 1 knife at a time.

The current specs are:

Steel: 3/16" O1
OAL: 9"
Blade Length: 5" (to bolster)



PS:I post over on KD, (so you might see this same thread there) and thought I would also post here to try and get as much feedback as possible. I'll take all I can get. ;-)


=====================================
Update 16 JAN 2011
=====================================
I finished the knife. You can read the rest of the thread to see the pictures and images. But here is a pic of the final result:

 

[seionage]

So, I decided to layout the patterns of B and C.

The steel came from jantz with a nice film of oil on it. I cleaned it off with some cheap laquer thinner.

Out came the sharpie.

And here's what it looks like without the patterns.

 

[seionage]

so, I decided to cutout the pattern, and draw in all the lines. For a better feel of the scale.

 

[seionage]

My next step, was to drill holes all along the perimiter and connect the dots with a hacksaw.

When I went to do that, the drill press didn't work. (I didn't own one, so I had to go by a friends house). I then stopped by another friends house, and he had one. I told him what I planned on doing.

He said he had a better idea. He reached into a glob of powertools
laying on the floor, and pulls out a portable bandsaw and claps it in a vise (he used a screwdriver to pry the trigger 'open').
It actually worked out ok.

So, here is me cutting the kso with the bandsaw.

I then realize that I forgot to drill the hole where the
plunge line will be, so I went to his drill press to drill a 5/32 hole.

Back to the bandsaw of death (where I'm trying to not cut my fingers off).

And here it is, all cut out.

Unfortunately, I was too worried about losing a finger or 2, and not paying close enough attention to my profile line.
I ended up taking a piece out that I shouldn't have.
My round point instantly became a tanto.

And another profile shot

 

[seionage]

so, I'm back at the drill press. I drill my 2 bolster holes.

The only thing I didn't like, is I felt a little rushed (since this guy was letting me use his shop.

I wish I would have taken more time the night before, and laid out all the weight reduction holes.

Instead, I just eyeballed where I wanted my mosaic pins to go, and then the rest of the holes.

The 2 bolster holes, and the mosaic pin hole, along with the weight
reduction holes center punched.

Done drilling with the 3/16" bit..about to move on to the 5/16" bit

All done drilling.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

Looks good so far. As for switching to a tanto, there's an old saying about the percentage of battle plans that make it past the first shot being fired. . . . You can just make the tip 1/16" shorter.

 

[psycho78]

I don't see a tanto.

When you refine your profile, that will grind in really nicely. Don't worry so much.

Great job so far for a first!

 

[silver_pilate]

I agree. I'd so not so fast for a tanto. Clean up the edges, and perhaps pull the tip back a smidge and you'll have a very nicely flowing blade. Great design you've got so far!

--nathan

 

[Railrider1920]

I think it looks good so far.

Thanks for starting this thread. Please keep adding plenty of pictures.
For someone like me that is interested in making a knife, but never has and is just learning,
this thread will help out a bunch. I'm looking forward to watching it go from this to a nice sharp edge.
Rob

 

[Bigfattyt]

Great looking profile to start there.

Nice patterns to start with.

My first knife, I had no power drill, so I cut the profile out by hand, with a mini hack saw!!!!

Took forever, and like 10 blades at leas. I also had no vice or any other great tools.

Just mini hack saw, and files and sand paper.

 

[jonnymac44]

Good work so far. No worries about the tip, it can still be done very close to the way you envisioned it in the beginning. I like the overall design. Keep the pics coming:thumbup:

 

[unky_gumbi]

I wouldn't worry about the little miss on the profile cut, I don't think any of my knives are exactly the same as my original designs. It always changes a bit while you are profiling and testing the feel. Just think of your original drawing as a guide that is flexible and not a set rule.

 

[mostho]

Great design, but IMO pin holes for the guard are quite large.

 

[james terrio]

Your design is very nice. Glad to see you punched first and started your even the bigger holes with a small drill, that saves heat and wear/tear on your bits. Lots of makers use porta-bandsaws like that, I want one myself.

My biggest concern is the stock thickness. It's going to be on the heavy side for such a slender knife. I'd suggest fully tapering the tang and blade to help weight/balance but I don't know if I'd want to try that without a grinder. Working only with files, you have a LOT of work ahead of you. I would take the grind right up to the spine; with a thick, narrow blade you need a high grind to ensure a keen edge.

P.S. don't throw away the little scrap piece from between the blades, you can make a cool little kiridashi-type blade with that. (I am CHEAP and hate to throw away good steel )

 

[Danbo]

Looks very good; especially, for a first knife. Just wondering why you didn't make the blade a teeny bit longer, rather than be left with a small slice of steel from the middle of the bar?

 

[seionage]

Danbo-- I didn't even think of that. I guess I was too focused on what I had drawn out. Good suggestion.

 

[seionage]

Great design, but IMO pin holes for the guard are quite large.

Are you talking about the bolster holes? If so, I used 5/32. What would you have recommended?

Thanks!

 

[Danbo]

Are you talking about the bolster holes? If so, I used 5/32. What would you have recommended?

Thanks!

As small as possible, for bolster holes, I'd imagine.

 

[seionage]

Time to do some filing. I had never draw filed before, so that was something different.

I really like how fast you can remove metal with even draw filing.

I would do about 2 swipes, and then clean the file.

Starting on the backside of the tang.

Flipped the knife over, and started on the underside of the tang.

Time to start working on the blade edge. I had quite a few waves I
needed to take out. So, I straight filed the waves down, then switched to
draw filing to give me an even edge.

Time to work on that horrible notch.

15min later of draw filing. I was surpised it came out as nice as it did.

Different angle

Done with the profile.

The other side.

 

[seionage]

Another view, with me holding the kso for a perspective shot.

Next up...draw the lines for my blade edge, and plunge cuts.