WIP, Machined knife

Hi Nathan,

Thanks again, am really looking forward to this knife!

When I moved to SoCal, I called GT Knives and asked for a job. Just so happened they needed help. GT Knives was a company started by two master mold makers, so you can only imagine the way the knives were cnc'd. I ran every step of production from attaching billets of aluminum to the fixtures, to using a double hollow grinding machine to do the bevels to final assembly, over the course of a year.

The education that Greg Bark and Todd Jones gave me in the intricacies of machine operation and measurement of very small tolerances changed my life, and I have no desire to ever do that stuff again. Tedious and BORING, as well as damned dirty(coolant, coolant everywhere, but not a drop on me!, that's my motto!) are a few words to describe the experience.

I have a rough idea of the steps involved, and respect you all the more for it!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
Since I don't make a lot of knives the "conventional" way I don't have a great data point to compare to. Obviously the post heat treat finishing and grinding is the same. I think it is less expensive to mill a blade than it is to grind it in terms of endmill consumables vs grinding belts, but in the grand picture that cost is relatively trivial anyways, and from a machine overhead point of view the grinder is probably a little cheaper there. From a time point of view the time is comparable and power usage is probably similar. I own and am skilled with a knife grinder and I do grind knives. But I prefer to mill knives rather than grind them, not due to a cost savings (I don't think there is one) but because I make better knives when I machine them. I'm focused on the end result. This is not a short cut or a cost savings, though except for some upfront costs I don't think it is any worse either, it is simply a different approach by someone with a different skillset.


I made the screw jig, it's just a plate with some threaded holes - no biggy.
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Nice. :) Thanks for the info.
 
Kohai999 said:
(coolant, coolant everywhere, but not a drop on me!, that's my motto!)
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We had to muck the sump last week, the coolant was starting to look like chocolate milk. Carbon fiber is the bain of my existence.
 
Kohai999 said:
I PM'd him on this knife shortly after he started this post and expressed interest. We discussed briefly, he quoted a price and it is on the way to me.

How is that hard?

It isn't luck...if you want a knife, you ramp up the effort to get it....knifemakers put in great effort to make their knives, it's not supposed to be easy to get the great stuff, but sometimes it is.

BTW, these are exceptional value!!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Thanks for the advice, STeven.

:rolleyes:
 
The Virginian said:
Thanks for the advice, STeven.:rolleyes:
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Ken, you can give me the rolleyes:rolleyes: all you want.

I know you go to SOME effort to get knives....I just don't know how MUCH effort you go to in order to get what you desire.

Are you on Nathan's waiting list? If so, should happen sooner, rather than later.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I'm glad to see you got that piece STeven! I know Nathan's approach is different than what you have typically been drawn to in the past, so I'm glad you looked past that to see the true skillz and craftsmanship that this guy has. :cool:

I have some of Nathan's gadgets that he has put out there for other knife makers, and his work just blows my mind. His commitment to only putting out perfect work is awe-inspiring. I'm sure his knives are just the same.

Killer thread and killer knife!!! :thumbup: :) :cool:
 
NickWheeler said:
I'm glad to see you got that piece STeven! I know Nathan's approach is different than what you have typically been drawn to in the past, so I'm glad you looked past that to see the true skillz and craftsmanship that this guy has. :cool:

Killer thread and killer knife!!! :thumbup: :) :cool:
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Hey Nick! Are you going to the Kirkland show?

I have seen threads on Nathan's work and know that he is an exceptional machinist.....just wasn't sure how that was going to translate to knifework....by the time he got to the plunges, I was hooked. We all know that there are as many different ways to make knives as there are knifemakers.

Nathan's workmanship speaks for itself. I can say that as a communicator and someone who does work that intrigues me, he is without peer.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
Ken, you can give me the rolleyes:rolleyes: all you want.

I know you go to SOME effort to get knives....I just don't know how MUCH effort you go to in order to get what you desire.

Are you on Nathan's waiting list? If so, should happen sooner, rather than later.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Nathan has a waiting list? How do I get on that list?
 
jbass said:
Nathan has a waiting list? How do I get on that list?
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Please send me an email requesting to be notified when I post my next sale. If you have something particular in mind I gladly take requests.
 
Perseverance . . .


2nq5jbl.jpg


Smells Like . . .

Victory!

:victorious:
 
The Virginian said:
Thanks. There is a long story on this one . . . some other time.



Thanks, Win. I am going to be hosting a collector photography workshop at Blade on Friday morning in Room 204 at the Galleria. Tickets are only $20. Should I go ahead and put you down for one?
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Unfortunately, I can't make it to Blade but if you happen to be in Utah I'd be in for a private lesson.;) By the way I really do like that knife, you guys have done well!
 
Hello!

Congrats on your score!

Here's a first shot of my two 8" Shivs - one in the orginal layout and the latest addition with ground/sharpened clip and machined african blackwood scales. Great fit and finish and excellent balance!

original.jpg


Best regards,
Alex
 
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