Knife #2 - Dad's Christmas Present

[Guest Broomhead]

Here is my second knife, but the first using quality steel, 1084. It started out as a .25"x1.5" bar. I did the heat treating on it using my forge and canola oil for the quenchant.

Specs:
OAL: 5.5"
Blade: 2.5"
Scales: Black Walnut
Pins: 1/4" Brass Rod
Finish: Scales were sanded to 400grit and have several coats of Tru-Oil. The blade was machine finished with an A30 Gator belt and then stone washed...in the dryer.

There are some obvious flaws, but I'm still proud of it and will learn from these mistakes. I royally screwed the pooch on the one I was making for my dad when I tried to even up the plunges post-heat treat. Dad has seen this one at certain stages, but he has not seen the finished product. I also made a simple leather pouch sheath that still needs to have the edges dyed to match the rest of the leather. Critiques are always welcome.

[RED333]

VERY NICE!!!

Looks like it would fit a hand well.

[jimmydeuce]

Nice job! I really like the shape.

[Spots]

Looks great, I saw it before it was done looks better now

[daddyo]

Wow. Anyone would be proud to own one of those. Nice work!

[gunwhatgun]

Very nice, Like you and Spots, I strive to make them all perfect, and can't seem to please myself. When I look at some of the work that the two of you guys do though, i realize that when people tell me that mine look great, they mean it and are not just being nice. The maker seems to always see flaws that no one else will.

 

That is really one to be proud of. Just like I told Spots, I love a small hefty knife that looks like it is made to use, and I love that knife.

[jcj]

Looks great! Handle looks like it would be comfortable in-hand and offer lots of control.

[daddyo]

Any idea what the hardness measures out to on the blade?

Edited December 26, 2012 by DaddyO

[Guest Broomhead]

Any idea what the hardness measures out to on the blade?

 

 

 Another knife I heat treated at the same time was tested by a friend and hit right at 60 Rockwell. I'm guessing it is in the 58-60 range.

[daddyo]

 Another knife I heat treated at the same time was tested by a friend and hit right at 60 Rockwell. I'm guessing it is in the 58-60 range.

 

 

Excellent!

[Spots]

Very nice, Like you and Spots, I strive to make them all perfect, and can't seem to please myself. When I look at some of the work that the two of you guys do though, i realize that when people tell me that mine look great, they mean it and are not just being nice. The maker seems to always see flaws that no one else will.

 

That is really one to be proud of. Just like I told Spots, I love a small hefty knife that looks like it is made to use, and I love that knife.

 

I have discovered that there is no perfect knife. Ive never seen or made a knife that was truly perfect in any way. Design, material, or craftsmanship flaws are almost always there. The exception is a custom designed blade from a full time maker, with a LOT of experience.  And flawless blades of that caliber run into the thousands quickly.

[UncleJak]

Great looking knife, I see zero flaws.  I really like the way the handle "slides up" right onto the blade. Very slick!

[Jonnin]

I like it!  It calls to mind what you would get if you put a handle on a good sized shark tooth.  That is just a meaningless observation, not a criticism or anything.   It looks like it would serve well, rugged and sized for chores.

[Good_Steward]

Awesome little skinner! Looks great!

[JKGlock17]

very good looking

[Monkeyman2500]

Well done!

[xjsnake]

I'm quickly noticing the tendency for me to rip apart my own work as well. I've got a LONG way to go but I'm making good strides.