First out the Forge

[JonTerry]

This one is my first attempt using the Forge the Mrs bought me for my 50th.

Really enjoyed the whole process, even the hand sanding, see what you think guys, and don't pull any punches, I'm still cutting my teeth, to be honest this is Knife number 2 so far.

Now for the photos...........

JT

[cudgee]

. As regard to hand sanding, you cannot get the same results with a machine. I have a friend who does high end paint jobs on resto cars, hot rods and show cars. Hand sands between each coat.

[Jeffinn]

That’s a nice looking knife!
I would have used one less rivet in the handle but that’s a personal preference. I think two rivets and the lanyard tube would look a bit more balanced. Again, just my personal preference.
What kind of steel did you use?
Jeff

[Dan In MI]

Looks pretty dang good!

[JonTerry]

That’s a nice looking knife!
I would have used one less rivet in the handle but that’s a personal preference. I think two rivets and the lanyard tube would look a bit more balanced. Again, just my personal preference.
What kind of steel did you use?
Jeff

Thank mate, yeah kinda agree but I was playing around with design, I didn't mind this at the moment as I'm getting my practice in before I start on the Applewood I have seasoning from my families gardedn, and that I don't want to mess up.

The Steel is 26c3 Bar stock 5x50mm and has come up pretty well.
I hand sanded down to 2000 grit before I thought that will do and in truth despite my previous comment I was getting bored. I think the heat treatment worked out ok as it takes a good edge but took quite a while to get the stock off, at a 25 degree bevel, I did this with the Precision adjust and 220 grit to start as I was afraid to use the belt grinder and ruin the knife at the final hurdle.

Scales are American Walnut, with Danish Oil layers, too many to count, and the good old Ren Wax to finish.

Got more on the way but work has picked up again so may be slow turning out the knives for a bit.

JT

[herbva]

JT, that looks like a fine job to me, especially since it is only the second one for you!
P.S. I get bored with the hand sanding too, and I mostly work on folders.

[btrwtr]

Well done!

[1967redrider]

Looks awesome!

[ea42]

JT that's a fantastic job, especially for only your second knife. I'm impressed! The only suggestion I'd make would be to grind the bevel closer to the handle so that your ricasso becomes smaller. It seems a bit too oversize. Doing that would take some weight off the knife too.

Eric

[doglegg]

JT, that lookslike a bushcrafters delight. Be a great survival knife.

[eveled]

I enjoy hand sanding my knives. I think the lengthwise lines are superior to the cross wise lines from a belt sander.

I don’t think I’ve ever finished one. As you could always go a little more. When I get bored I stop. When it strikes me I do more.

I like your knife btw.

[orvet]

I agree with the others, that's a pretty good looking knife for only your second attempt!

I agree with Eric about moving your grind line back and shortening the ricasso. The knife looks pretty heavy, as far as I can tell from the pictures, and that would definitely take some weight off.

I also think two rivets would look more balanced than three rivets and the lanyard tube. I would move the first rivet back about halfway to the second rivet so that you don't have a rivet right at the finger groove. Those can be difficult at times. I've had rivets stand a little proud, or I place them too close to the groove and ended up contouring the head of the rivet while contouring the finger groove. I don't see that as a problem with yours but something to keep in mind for future projects.

All In all, if that was my second knife, I would be very proud of it!

Great job!

[glennbad]

Looks pretty darn nice from here! I agree with the other comments regarding the number of rivets, and the ricasso.

And while the front finger notch is a nice touch, try one without one and see how you like it. Finger notches tend to limit the versatility of grip in a knife, unless it's only intended to be held one way.

Nice work!

[jerryd6818]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Mine is EXCELLENT. I like it just the way it is.