Ecart

Until I get to 220 Grit and the blade actually starts to resemble something that will look good, I HATE grinding. But then again, it's not grinding for me, but hand sanding.

Nice job on the knife. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

NONE of my "first knives" survived. So, good job. Keep it up.

I want to hear more about this oil and beeswax finish on the sheath. I'm looking to improve my leather work and am always interested to see how others do it.
That walnut certainly makes a beautiful handle! Good looking knife. I hope you get set up again soon and can show us some more work.

All right, you're new here so we'll forgive you this time. But we need facts! Overall length, blade length, blade width, thickness, steel used etc. What are you planning to do for the handle?
By the way, it's a nice looking little drop point you've got there.

http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f7/belly-buttons-wings-things-13559/

This is a thread that helped me out a lot. I found that I was standing in more of a fighter's stance at the anvil. I squared up my stance and I take full swings at the work now. I also found a problem at the day job that I fixed. A handle on a machine that I use all day was in need of some adjustment. I found that every time I used it my shoulder screamed at me. I made the adjustment there and almost all of the pain is gone now.

I'd certainly recommend someone like a Sports Dr. Somebody who can help you with exercises that will rehab the injured area and will help you to avoid reinjury. Also, as has been mentioned, pay attention to how you are working. If changes are needed, MAKE THEM! It will save you lots of pain.

That is some good looking work. I like your 6th knife better than my own.
Everything flows together very nicely.

It won't tell you exactly what kind of HC, but you could do a spark test.

I have a 1"X42" Dewalt sander like that. Not the best for knife making, but it works once you learn how to use it. But keep in mind that this is primarily a woodworking tool and the sanding belts I have experience with are made for woodworking. They don't last very long when grinding steel. I've gotten to the point that I use a file more than the sander if I can get away with it (should be read: if I have the patience for it at the time ).

I've got my 6th nearly finished knife sitting beside me and I am JUST NOW considering trying my hand at file work. Those are outstanding. Keep at it and keep posting. You're doing fine!

During Desert Shield/Storm, I was walking perimeter guard one night. We were under strict noise and light discipline (no noise, no light). Suddenly there was a blood curdling scream from across the bivouac site. The next morning we found out that one of the tankers to whom we were attached was breaking track on an M-1. Something happened and the tanker's bar broke the poor guy's nose.

They seem to be nearly indestructible. We've got one or two around the mill where I work. One's handle is slightly bent, but it works hard every day and never gives in. Would love to get my hands on one and see what I could make out of it.

That's a good looking skinner! Overall length is what? About 10 inches?

I think it looks better. It was nice before, but with the point dropping that way, it is more pleasing to my eye anyway.

I love using walnut. The first time I tried it I didn't think it would be very pretty until I put a coat of sanding sealer on it. Then suddenly the grain popped out and I saw just how pretty the handle was going to be.

This is a skinner that I made a couple of months ago. Full tang construction with walnut slabs and 1/4" brass screws from Pop's Knife Supply. Finished with Tung Oil.
The steel is from 3/16" Circular saw blade steel. Edge bevels are hand forged. It is flat ground to 400 grit then polished with buffing compound.
OAL: 9 3/4"
Blade length: 4 3/4"
Blade width at widest point: 1 9/16"

I was going to send this one off to a knife maker out west so he could have a look at it, but poor finances has hindered that. I found a local knife maker this past weekend that liked it.

Yeah, I did a couple of hour of forging and filing yesterday. The heat and humidity was terrible. Hopefully I'll have something to show for it.
NC, I gotta arrange a time to get down that way. I'd love to get some pointers from you. Those look really good.

Hehehe! Well, I just recently learned to add photos to a website. It could be fun just watching me try to learn to add a video. :D

Wow! First knife project. My first (what?) twenty first knives never made it to finished form. Nice job and welcome to the boards. That's a nice one laying beside the anvil in the pic too. Let us see it when you're done.
Also, I love Mustangs. I think that would be an appropriate name for that beast.

I'll be out there after church today- I think. I also found out yesterday that my anvil is a bit too high. I just laid my hammer on the face with my hand hanging down by me side and saw that the top edge of the head was not even touching the anvil. So I'll fix that before I light the forge and I'll get my wife to shoot a vid when I start hammering. Could be pretty educational, if not comical.

Yep, busted. I went out to the forge tonight to work on a couple of things. I was hammering a semi truck leaf spring, seeing if I could do it without a power hammer. Then the question flashed through my mind, "How are you standing?" I realized that I was standing more like a fighter with my right leg dropped back behind the left and my left arm extended way out in front with the piece of steel in it. Therefore my hammer arm was having to reach out rediculously far to hit the steel. That would explain a few aches and pains I've been feeling this year with the increased forge time. So I made a conscious effort to correct my stance every time I found it was off again. Thanks for this thread. It is proving to be very valuable to me.

And no, I couldn't do much with the spring. I am trying to square it up on one end in preparation for drifting for a camp axe. Please though, if you have any suggestions, let's not derail the thread. You can pm me or start a new thread in the appropriate place. Thanks.

THAT is interesting! I like it. My damascus days are still out there in the distance, but seeing yours sure gives guys like me something to shoot for.

Osage is supposed to make a nice bow too. But we don't have any in this part of the country. If I get it, it'll cost an arm and a leg from a specialty woodworking store.

That would have the Mimosas that are taking over my yard shaking with fear! If your first knife looks this good, I really want to see you subsequent work.

I like it! To me, the unfinished look of the blade adds a ruggedness to a knife. I like finished and refined and I like blades that are skillfully left rough. Skillfully as opposed to. . . well, some of my knives, not so skillfully left rough. ;)

At least in the photo, the smudges give it a rough look that is rather attractive. Good job. I look forward to seeing more work out of you.

P.S. Unless you want a new addiction, stay away from the forge! You'll soon find that you love it, no matter how many things you ruin in the fire.

I like the second and fourth knives the best. Those are nice! Best of wishes to you and the bride.