First handmade knife done

[bodam]

That's badass RC. I have one at HT that I filed thumb notches in.

I don't know if they're nice enough to sell yet, but I'm having a lot of fun.

I can't wait til I can buy a real grinder.

 

[Valkman]

Tapering the tang takes a little getting used to so it's even all the way down. Mark with calipers how thin you want the end of the tang and pretty much grind down to those marks and then slope the whole handle to those marks. You really need a full platen to do those. It really lightens up the handle area, along with all the lightening holes you drill.

 

[rcmodel]

Exactly!

I never had the luxury of owning a real knife belt grinder either when I used to dabble in it.

I have a 1"x 42" vertical, and a 4" x 36" horizontal.
Both cheap Chinese DuraCraft imports back in the day.

But it's amazing what you can do with them, if that's all you have to do it with!

The 4" x 36" flat platen is the one to taper tangs with though!

You just need a pusher stick, & a glove to hold on with, and lots of cheap Sears belts to burn up!

rc

 

[Valkman]

You just need a pusher stick, & a glove to hold on with, and lots of cheap Sears belts to burn up!

Yep, that and some hard pushing will do it. I use to stop the belt on my 1 1/2hp Bader and sometimes pick up the front of the bench the grinder was bolted to! When you get a grinder do get 2hp at least.

 

[bodam]

Tapered tang comes later. I want to master the bevel first.

 

[Brin]

Nice job bodam. You’re a quick learner, my first knives did not look as nice. That Brazilian red wood can do a number on your lungs, so make sure you are wearing a dust mask.

 

[bodam]

No redwood there, purpleheart, blackwood and Wenge so far. But yes, dust mask is worn. I need to get a decent half face respirator, especially since I'm a corporate Safety Director. If my guys ever saw me working, they would have something to use against me, lol.

#4 will be a simple Walnut. Should have that one done Friday night.

Picking up two more blades from HT today, those had a nicer finish on them, and dropping off one today that is a copy of Kierans style.

My wife thinks I'm insane, lol. I'm trying to get them nice enough to sell, then she won't be able to complain too much.

 

[bodam]

Finished this one last week.

 

[bikerdoc]

You are getting there. Gave away my first 5 or 6 to friends, then took the next dozen or so to the flea market and sold them. I think I priced them too low as they were gone in a few hours.
Dont undervalue your time.
I made some leather kit sheaths for them and then got some nylon strips and sewed some. Leather kits
Look better.
You need to mark them a logo. You dont need a fancy machine, here is what I used.

Put some nail polish on the blade. Scratch out your logo.

Hook two wires to a nine volt battery.ground one to the blade with an alligator clip.attach a cotton ball or que tip head to the other. Dip the cotton in vinegar and apply.
crude but it works.

 

[bodam]

I have my mark designed, need to get it made up.

I gave the first one away this weekend. My buddy's dad. He loved it.

 

[bodam]

Just finished this one. Cedar handle with tru-oil, red liner.

 

[oldillini]

Fantastic work, Bodam. Let us know when you decide to start selling them. Really like the style of #3 in blackwood.

 

[bodam]

That one went to my buddy's dad. I'd sell any of them, I just don't list them cuz they aren't perfect yet.

Don't want to disappoint anyone, lol

 

[Blade First]

May I offer a bit of constructive criticism? Your knives are much too nice to be displayed on that piece of camouflage...it steals from the contrast and detail of your work. Find a piece of red or orange felt [a very small square will do] and post some more photos for us.

You're off to a great start! Keep it up...

 

[bodam]

I can do that. That's just the work pad I have on my work table.

I'm not really advertising, so I don't really think about nicer pics.

Maybe I should do some quality pics and actually try to sell a few.

 

[Blade First]

"Maybe I should do some quality pics and actually try to sell a few."

Well, yes. At some point, you may want to actually subsidize your inventory materials. Wouldn't have to sell all your 'children'...just some.

Another thought: Logo your blades, with your name preferably.

 

[bodam]

I have my stencil coming this week. So I will be marking all of them.

I will get some good pics and start a thread for all of the complete knives.

Thanks guys

 

[rcmodel]

Bodam

Do you have any interest in playing with Loveless Bolts for scale attachment??

http://www.knifemaking.com/product-p/cplb1.htm

If you do, PM me your address and I will send you some.

I have a bunch left from my knife making days I will never be able to use again.

And nobody but a knife maker would know what they are.

rc

 

[bodam]

Sure. I appreciate that

 

[rcmodel]

O.K. Bodam.

I got your address PM.
Expect it in the mail when I can get a Round-Tuit.

*9 pair (18) - S/S & brass Loveless bolts.
*10 sets - brass scale rivets.
*6 sets - Nickel Silver scale rivets.
*6 - Black-Yellow-Black handle spacers.
*1 - Zebrawood block.
*1 - Jack Daniels Oak whisky barrel stave block.
*1 - Black / Green Dyamondwood block
*2 - Tulipwood blocks.
*1 pr. - OD green canvas 3/8" Micarta scales.
*1 pr. - Ivory 1/4" paper Micarta scales.
*1 pr. - Laotian Rosewood scales brought home from Vietnam as a 36" hand hewn plank in 1969.

Beware, the Laotian Rosewood dust, and possibly the Zebrawood dust will kill ya dead if you breath it!!
Use a real good dust mask when working it!!

PS: The rest of it will kill ya too if you breath it long enough.
Just not as fast!

Now, Make me Proud when you make something good out of it!!! --

rc

 

[bodam]

Wow thanks so much! I will return the favor once I put the pieces together!

 

[rcmodel]

Did ya get it?

Well did ya?

USPS says it was delivered today.

Did ya get it?
Huh? Huh? Huh?

rc

 

[bodam]

I did, and I'm blown away. Thanks again.

I can't wait to make something up with it.

 

[rcmodel]

Great!
Here are some old treads showing what I used to be able do with it.
It's not just a box of junk when you get done with it!

Inspiration, maybe?
Anyway, have fun making knives while you still can!

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=681030

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=680780

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=680629

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=682487

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=682488

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=682330

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=682595

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=683087

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=683495

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=683854

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=684377

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=684530

rc

 

[bodam]

Just got my new grinder, so I will be very active now.