Ron Benson

This handle was my first and I used it as a learning tool. Hand sanded only and I think I went up to 2K grit. It may hace been 3K - I don't remember...

I am sorry to hear this. I hope you get a shop set up soon.

I had hoped to be making knives by now since my wood shop is mostly up and running. However, the wood projects keep multiplying and I have enough projects to last well into next year. I just shipped a cutting board to our son in Austin, (photos below). A friend gave me a 4' X 2" X 1/4" piece of 5160 and I have been practicing on a piece I cut off - stock removal, but the 1/4" stock is really too thick for hunting knives and kitchen knives, so I'm going to order some 1/8" and 3/16" bars. I'd like to start making knives for gifts and worry about people not taking proper care to preve

Try going up to 2000 grit. That might get you where you want to go. (Sorry for the poor quality photo - broke the lens on my phone's camera...

Sorry for your loss JPH. He will always be in your memories.

Better give that croc a Covid test...

My thoughts are with you too.

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/bench-router-table-woodriver?via=573621bd69702d0676000002%2C573621df69702d0676000ec7%2C5764004269702d6582000e8d%2C5b17dc4b776f6f4cfa001ea0

When I started setting up my wood shop last year I pulled my Dad's old drill press out of the unheated shed where it had been since '92. It was much smaller than I remembered and covered in a thick layer of rust. Since my goal was to do wood working, (and an occasional knife), I decided to buy a new one, so off to Lowes I went. I brought one home and assembled it. Turned it on and it worked, but the speed was a bit low. However, the bit ran true so I was satisfied. Fast forward to a few days ago and I read something about drill speed being more important than I thought, (speed was

Please be quick about it. I used to turn bowls and other things. Logs check and crack from the ends - especially if untreated on the ends, (paint or stuff made to prevent damage). In firewood lengths it was difficult to get blocks big enough to turn bowls, but you should have an easier time with handle size blocks. I would go for it, but cut into blocks and dip the ends in melted wax or cover with a thick paint asap.

These are super!

The last leather work I did was a holster in the mid '70s, but the link should give you an idea or two: https://www.google.com/search?q=horizontal+knife+sheath&sxsrf=ALeKk01Xxw8Hz-Bb-yduxtuiXG8aT-EoPQ:1590514425690&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj1sun6h9LpAhVGh-AKHd_zABYQ_AUoAnoECA4QBA&biw=1920&bih=1057

Just about any wood large enough to make a handle will work. Try to avoid the pith, (center), of the wood. 5" or 6" branches should be good. If you can't find any, try contacting a tree service or two. Offer to make a knife for them and they will probably give you the wood. You can dry blanks in your microwave, but I'd cut them oversize so you can remove any checking. Here's a link to youtube videos on using a microwave to dry wood: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=drying+wood+with+microwave

I wish I could "like" it more than once...

Wow!