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First knife handle.. opinions please...w/pix

Gregor62Gregor62 Member Posts: 3,143 ✭✭✭✭
edited March 2011 in General Discussion
I'm looking for opinions/critique on this first project, (good,bad, or indifferent).[;)]

My personal opinion: it looks too box-like and plain, but it fits my big paws real good.

Material: Curly Maple

Step 1) Trace and cut (boring no pic)

Step 2) Pinned and glued
Picture003.jpg
Picture005.jpg

Step 3) Shape perimeter, and flatten pins
Picture009.jpg
Picture007.jpg

Step 4) Final shaping, and semi-finish through micro 12,000
Picture010.jpg
Picture011.jpg

The final step will be to, fill the slight voids by the back pins, clean,buff, and polish. The finishing touch, will be fitting and finishing the sheath.
Picture013.jpg

This will be the next project. Material: Maple Burl scales.
Picture015.jpg

Comments

  • MMOMEQ-55MMOMEQ-55 Member Posts: 13,134
    edited November -1
    Looks like a good job to me.
  • asphalt cowboyasphalt cowboy Member Posts: 8,904 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Dang, looks good.

    Might I suggest, and simply because I'm partial to the final appearance, amonia fume a piece of scrap to see if you like it before you apply the finish.
  • coltpaxcoltpax Member Posts: 7,516 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Looks good to this fellow bladesmith
  • milesmiles Member Posts: 2,548 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Looks good to me..... Wish I had your skill.

    Some kind of non-slip finish on handles might be
    something to think about.
  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,159 ******
    edited November -1
    I like it. [:)][:)][:)]
  • Gregor62Gregor62 Member Posts: 3,143 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by asphalt cowboy
    Dang, looks good.

    Might I suggest, and simply because I'm partial to the final appearance, amonia fume a piece of scrap to see if you like it before you apply the finish.



    Thanks for the advice. I'm a true greenhorn with this type of finish, and any advice is greatly appreciated!
  • swampgutswampgut Member Posts: 5,555
    edited November -1
    I'm more interested in what blade material you use.
  • DONDALINGERDONDALINGER Member Posts: 1,541 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think it looks fantastic. I have made one knife using an antler for the handle. It looks crude compared to what you have. Did you buy the blade all ready finished? I'm thinking about making a knife using camel bone scales for the handle.

    Once again, great job on the knife.

    Don
  • danielgagedanielgage Member Posts: 10,543 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • kimikimi Member Posts: 44,719 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Great work!
    What's next?
  • Floyd_R_TurboFloyd_R_Turbo Member Posts: 120 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Very nice, I'd carry it. KnowIng the metal type would be nice. Was it a kit or ? Also would this be something you'd sell or keep?
  • asphalt cowboyasphalt cowboy Member Posts: 8,904 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by stubnoid
    quote:Originally posted by asphalt cowboy
    Dang, looks good.

    Might I suggest, and simply because I'm partial to the final appearance, amonia fume a piece of scrap to see if you like it before you apply the finish.



    Thanks for the advice. I'm a true greenhorn with this type of finish, and any advice is greatly appreciated!


    You're going to need two or three tea bags, half a cup of water and some ammonia as well as a covered pail or plastic bag you can seal.
    The reason for two or more tea bags is you will need it to be strong. I usually brew mine in the microwave.
    Once the tea cools enough to put your finger in it use a piece of rag, cotton ball or something to wipe the tea on the wood. No need to saturate it, just enough to wet the surface.
    After the wood dries place it in the pail/plastic bag with a small dish with just a little bit of ammonia in it and seal the pail/bag and let it ruminate on its own for a while.

    What the fuming does is darken the wood and give it, IMHO, more character. It's basically a means of force aging the wood.

    This will give you an idea of the effect achieved.
    FN.jpg

    Before you proceed, make certain you want the color achieved. This is non-reversible and unlike staining goes throughout the wood.

    Oh, nearly forgot. When you remove the wood from the ammonia fumes it will have a nasty mustard yuck look to it. Don't worry, it will come off when you do your final sand and whisker prior to finishing.
  • mt3777mt3777 Member Posts: 73
    edited November -1
    nice work!

    keep it up!
  • Gregor62Gregor62 Member Posts: 3,143 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by swampgut
    I'm more interested in what blade material you use.


    I didn't make the blades. I purchased them from Jantz in Oklahoma. They are polished stainless.

    I won't take any credit for the work of someone else.
  • MVPMVP Member Posts: 23,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • RustyBonesRustyBones Member Posts: 4,956
    edited November -1
    Nice job, looks like an even bevel all the way around. Hand sand or belt?
  • savage170savage170 Member Posts: 37,537 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    looks good to me
  • Gregor62Gregor62 Member Posts: 3,143 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by asphalt cowboy
    quote:Originally posted by stubnoid
    quote:Originally posted by asphalt cowboy
    Dang, looks good.

    Might I suggest, and simply because I'm partial to the final appearance, amonia fume a piece of scrap to see if you like it before you apply the finish.



    Thanks for the advice. I'm a true greenhorn with this type of finish, and any advice is greatly appreciated!


    You're going to need two or three tea bags, half a cup of water and some ammonia as well as a covered pail or plastic bag you can seal.
    The reason for two or more tea bags is you will need it to be strong. I usually brew mine in the microwave.
    Once the tea cools enough to put your finger in it use a piece of rag, cotton ball or something to wipe the tea on the wood. No need to saturate it, just enough to wet the surface.
    After the wood dries place it in the pail/plastic bag with a small dish with just a little bit of ammonia in it and seal the pail/bag and let it ruminate on its own for a while.

    What the fuming does is darken the wood and give it, IMHO, more character. It's basically a means of force aging the wood.

    This will give you an idea of the effect achieved.

    Before you proceed, make certain you want the color achieved. This is non-reversible and unlike staining goes throughout the wood.

    Oh, nearly forgot. When you remove the wood from the ammonia fumes it will have a nasty mustard yuck look to it. Don't worry, it will come off when you do your final sand and whisker prior to finishing.





    Thanks again cowboy!

    This place is so cool when you're looking for info. You guys are the best!
  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,522 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    very nice job. congrats
  • woodhogwoodhog Member Posts: 13,115 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    excellent job, looks like it will be a useful configuration as well.
  • oldrideroldrider Member Posts: 4,934 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Looks good to me.
  • NiccoHelNiccoHel Member Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Stubnoid-

    I really like the work you've done. I see what you mean by "box-like and plain", but I don't think those are negative attributes. If anything, it looks like it needs to be worn-in to get a bit of character. Maybe a very light touch with some dark or red/orange stain to pop out the grain a bit more, but not too much.


    quote:Originally posted by asphalt cowboy

    After the wood dries place it in the pail/plastic bag with a small dish with just a little bit of ammonia in it and seal the pail/bag and let it ruminate on its own for a while.


    Asphalt Cowboy-

    Just curious, but a few questions: What happens if the wood is still damp when it is placed in the bag? And, are the effects different if the wood is left in the bag for an extended period of time? Have you done that technique on wood that has been checkered/engraved/etc?

    That stock looks really nice. I might have to do some experimenting.
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
  • jeffie076jeffie076 Member Posts: 1,965 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Very Nice![^] Need to see it after your done.
  • joshmb1982joshmb1982 Member Posts: 8,228 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    any idea what kind of stainless the blade is? id bet you put that on auction and plugged it youd make a penny or 2 on the deal.[;)]
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There is a guy down in NC that I want to buy a knife from. He crafts some beautiful knives. He fashions some handles from Corian in many colors and they look beautiful. His knives run $250..I really want one though

    BTW very nice, I totally lack the patience for that fine detail work!
  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You do beautiful work. I like this one too. [:)]

    NewKnife.jpg
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
  • arraflipperarraflipper Member Posts: 1,256 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Looks real good, have been wanting to make one myself. I have some Cocobolo wood drop off from building bows. Kind of gets on motivated seeing your.
  • Gregor62Gregor62 Member Posts: 3,143 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by JamesRK
    You do beautiful work. I like this one too. [:)]





    Thanks for the encouragement Jim.

    Did you dirty that blade yet?[:D]
  • Sav99Sav99 Member Posts: 16,037 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nice work Greg. Good to see ya posting.
  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by stubnoid
    Thanks for the encouragement Jim.

    Did you dirty that blade yet?[:D]
    No. Like somebody said, some blades just ain't meant to get bloody. [;)] [:)]

    That knife is for showing off and bragging. I'll just use the old Schrade for skinning.
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
  • nyforesternyforester Member Posts: 2,575 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nice Job !
    I threw this one together last year in the tool shed !
    2010_0606knife0001.jpg
    Abort Cuomo
  • mjbmxzmjbmxz Member Posts: 1,096 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Darn nice looking knife if I do say so myself.
  • tneff1969tneff1969 Member Posts: 6,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Great looking knife, dig the wood.
  • victorj19victorj19 Member Posts: 3,642 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Plan on filing and polishing the edge of the tang on the next one. I made the same mistake and it's nearly impossible to do after the wood is on it. Why doesn't the factory do this?
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