DavidM Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Hello, I've been lurking here for a few years now, and i figured it's time I finally posted something. This is the first knife I've ever seen through to the end. Lots of unmounted blades and little knicknacks...but never finished one before. I was going for something kinda like a bird knife for cleaning ducks and such. The blade is coil spring from an 80's model nissan 300zx, so I have no idea what its actually made of. Seems to want to get brittle really easy, so I had to draw quite a bit of hardness out of the thing. The fittings are nicklesilver that I bought from a knife show years ago (wish I could still get it that cheap). As far as I can figure, the wood is some local black walnut that has been sitting in the wood pile here for lord knows how long. Just treated it with linseed. The tang is about 30% the width of the blade and is peened to hold the handle together. Very solid handle. The fork is just there to try and prop up the blade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Well done, and welcome David! Nice work on the fork too. Let not the swords of good and free men be reforged into plowshares, but may they rest in a place of honor; ready, well oiled and God willing unused. For if the price of peace becomes licking the boots of tyrants, then "To Arms!" I say, and may the fortunes of war smile upon patriots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Well done I like it John W Smithwww.smith-forge.orgFire and wind come from the sky, from the gods of the sky. But Crom is your god, Crom and he lives in the earth. Once, giants lived in the Earth, Conan. And in the darkness of chaos, they fooled Crom, and they took from him the enigma of steel. Crom was angered. And the Earth shook. Fire and wind struck down these giants, and they threw their bodies into the waters, but in their rage, the gods forgot the secret of steel and left it on the battlefield. We who found it are just men. Not gods. Not giants. Just men. The secret of steel has always carried with it a mystery. You must learn its riddle, Conan. You must learn its discipline. For no one - no one in this world can you trust. Not men, not women, not beasts.[Points to sword]This you can trust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jipp Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 welcome to the forum. keep the good work up. chris. i could complain but who would listen. chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Stephens Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Hi David, Nice first knife! If you don't mind some constructive criticism, I think the knife would flow a bit better if the top of the handle and the top of the blade were the same, if you take my meaning. In other words, I think that the knife would flow better if the top of the knife was one continuous line. As it is now, the bolster breaks it up a bit, IMO. Welcome to the quest! --Dave -----------------------------------------------"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly." -- Theodore Roosevelthttp://stephensforge.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidM Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 If you don't mind some constructive criticism, I think the knife would flow a bit better if the top of the handle and the top of the blade were the same, if you take my meaning. In other words, I think that the knife would flow better if the top of the knife was one continuous line. As it is now, the bolster breaks it up a bit, IMO. Yeah. I really noticed that about five minutes after peening the tang over. Was kicking myself for not paying more attention to that. Next time though. Gonna build a new forge this week and giv'er another go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Finlayson Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Looks Great! Good job on the fit for a first blade! Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beau Erwin Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 Looks good =] Beau Erwin www.ErwinKnives.com Custom knives Bcarta Composites Stabilized Woods Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WPeterson Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 (edited) Very nice fit and finish for a first knife. You might want to look at the design of the pommel closely. Kinda looks like it might slip out of your hand if you use the knife hard or swing it. Many knives are tapered so that the pommel is larger or something is attached there to keep your hand from slipping off. It's completely a design preference but I thought I should mention it. Welcome to the makers side of the forum and keep up the good work. Edited August 31, 2009 by WPeterson Wes Peterson www.wpbladesmith.com Southeast Georgia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D. Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Welcome to the forum David! That is a great looking first knife. Love the grip shape. Keep at it! I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend" J.R.R. Tolkien www.CedarloreForge.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidM Posted September 1, 2009 Author Share Posted September 1, 2009 Very nice fit and finish for a first knife. You might want to look at the design of the pommel closely. Kinda looks like it might slip out of your hand if you use the knife hard or swing it. Many knives are tapered so that the pommel is larger or something is attached there to keep your hand from slipping off. It's completely a design preference but I thought I should mention it. Welcome to the makers side of the forum and keep up the good work. Actually, the handle feels very positive in the hand. Being as it was meant to be a bird knife it isn't really big enough for any serious use or swinging. Had it been a bit bigger I probably would have given it more meat in the butt. I gotta quit using that spring, it acts kinda weird, like it wants to be brittle no matter how you temper it. I welded up some cable last night, I'm really excited about it. Between that and my sucessful mokume test....I should have something else to put up here soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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