My first two

[Dino_J]

Well actually they are about my fith and sixth but the first few would not go back together. It took a couple months reading on this site to get get started but all of the tutorials and posts have been great to learn from. There is nothing new from me here, just trying to do what others have done before. I seem to have quite a bit of trouble with the peening especially the bails. And the file work, well it just looks bigger and easier on a big computer monitor than in my garage. I have about 8 too many thumbs so if any of you guys want to trade, I would like a few fingers.
These two are an Imperial easy open that had a broken pen blade that I got real cheap and a camillus electricians knife. I used ebony and it took the better part of a tree as I cracked so many handles peening. I will stay away from Mammoth until I get better or rich. Thanks again for all of your knowledge and sharing on this site. This is great fun.
Dean

[muskrat man]

looking good

[johnnierotten]

looking good

I'll second that!!

[Darksev]

Welcome to the madhouse! Pull up a straight jacket, you won't be going anywhere anytime soon

"file work, well it just looks bigger and easier on a big computer monitor than in my garage"

best....quote...ever

Something I have picked up, which was an immense help to me, were some thoughts on peening. It was something along the lines of, imagine you can peen pins with a big spoon. that's really the only amount of force required. a couple dozen taps with just the weight of the (small) hammer will mushroom out the head of a pin so much easier than pretending your driving a railroad spike.

In any case, Welcome, and I can't wait to see more from ya

[pmike5869]

Great job! The combination of dark wood and silver makes a stunning combination. Whoever carries those beauties will show them off with a lot of pride. I too had trouble with the peening technique. The first one I was too timid and it came apart, meaning the pin came loose from the bolsters. I just took the old one out and installed another with more pressure. The second knife I disassembled I gave it hell and it hasn't come apart yet but was probably too much the other way. I think there is no good way to judge except experience. I have crashed and burned many times but always learned from the experience. Every one I start I make it a point to try something more difficult and challenging. New material, different filework, different style of knife, different finish technique. Every time I have gained and now I wish I could pass the knowledge on so all I have learned will not end with me. Look at all the generous contributions to this forum, that's the other way to advance. The more questions I ask here the more I find out I don't know. Ask and share and keep pushing the envelope.

[griz1200]

Good lookin' knives! Congrats...

[orvet]

I think everyone has problems peening pins when they first start.
One alternative is to spin the pins. In other words, put a head on the pin with a pin spinner.

Use a small hammer, and light taps when you are peening a pin, (unless it's the pivot pin). That seems to work best for me.
If you have access to a Foredom, they make a #15 handpiece that is a hammer. It is used in the jewelry business for setting stones, bending prongs and a variety of other purposes. I have found that the #15 with an anvil point works well for peening the backside of handle pins when attaching handles to the liner.
I ought a Foredom recently and love it, even though I am only using it to a small fraction of its potential at this point in time. I learn new things that I can do with it on a daily basis.
The investment is pretty substantial for someone just starting out (unless you have a lot of money). I sold a few knives I made and decided to reinvest the money into more equipment. The Foredom & two extra handpieces (including the #15) ran about $450. I think it was money well spent.

When I first started repairing and customizing knives I talk to an old-time knife repairman, he's about 82 years old. He told me, "Get a Foredom. It's the best tool there is for working on knives." I am starting to understand what he meant.

Here's a link to Foredom's web site: http://www.blackstoneind.com/foundations/store/home.asp

One of the neat things about a Foredom is that it will use all of your Dremel bits, so you don't have to replace the bits you have now. I find the Foredom makes my Dremel bits work better, because I can use them at a much slower speed. And then there is a whole array of new bits and tools that you have never seen from Dremel.

Nice job on the knives Dean.
Hang in there on the peening. It's just a matter of practice, just like file work.
If any of us have given up after our first mistake, (or 10), there wouldn't be any of us in this forum working on knives.

Dale

[Dino_J]

Thanks guys for all of your input. I will put away my framing hammer, as I bought a small ball peen hammer at a yard sale. I will try to be softer with it and see how goes, although it is against my nature to be easy with a hammer. I did look at the foredom. It looks great and may be a tool in the future. So far my two knives have cost me a 1x42 sander, slow speed buffer, a low quality band saw and way too much in files. I can't drill a hole straight so I should get a drill press too.
I have started two new knives and if one of them goes back together, I will post a picture.

Thanks again for the input.

[Diligence]

Dino - great job on that EZE opener! I would proudly carry that in my pocket.

Regarding a drill press, if you are pressed for cash, you could always watch the flea markets and pawn shops for those gadgets that let you mount a hand drill vertically, with slides, that allows it to work as a quasi-drill press. I would think it would be sufficient for all the pocket knife drilling you would need. Should help with keeping those holes vertical.

For the peening, I suggest that you only leave the pin sticking out an amount equal to just more than 1/2 the diameter of the pin (or 3/4 the diameter). I like to cut small bevels onto my pins before peening too...and like Orvet said, be really gentle. I busted lots of scales before I realized this. Also, remember that if you cut a big countersink in the scale hole, it will take much more material to fill it in = more pressure = busted scales and lots of cussing. So, try a couple of sample pins. Don't countersink them at all, or if you do, try to do it very, very minimally.

Let us know how it works.

Cheers,
Jaye