Nobody Special Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/37420-chefs-knife/ So......a long while back, before I discovered IFI, I made a good ole lawnmower kitchen knife blank.......and it's been sitting there......and sitting there, while I made other stuff, including the occaisional spearhead or Knife Like Object. Finally decided, forget it. It's not perfect, don't sand or polish further, put a simple handle on it, stick it in the kitchen and use it. So, several knives later........my "first" knife. And before it comes up, I've been reading the knifemaking lessons and tips.......and they've been extremely helpful, just too late for this one. Knife is from 1080-ish (i think) lawnmower blade, Handle is pecan cordwood from my firewood stack, and the pins are cut down from a stainless steel peg from my pegboard. Probably woulda looked better with a simple bolster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 IIRC, Jerry Fisk used drywall screws on his first knife. He got better with time and practice. :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosox Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 It looks good from here. Keep working on it, you'll do better than that. Keep it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 The first knife is a big step for anyone to take. My advise? You did good, but you know you could have done a whole lot better. The key is that you got lazy and short-changed yourself. But, you know that and knowing is half the battle. In the future, use good steel from a known source. It saves you a ton of work and money. "Free" metal is never free when you figure in the time and energy needed to get it to a decent state. What I would do is take that knife apart and apply all that you've learned since. With the before and after pics, I bet it would be a real eye-opener! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Carnecchia Posted July 5, 2013 Share Posted July 5, 2013 Not a bad first effort. I forged maybe a dozen blades before I finally finished one, I still have that first blade I forged but will probably never finish it. Anyway good for you going back and finishing it. Every knife you make has valuable lessons to teach if you're willing to learn. So keep making them and keep learning you're headed in the right direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EtownAndrew Posted July 6, 2013 Share Posted July 6, 2013 I used nails as pins for my first knife. I tried to drill three holes for the pins and after a couple broke bits decided that two holes would do it. A first knife is something to hang onto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeshow Posted July 7, 2013 Share Posted July 7, 2013 My first KSO was a rail road spike. We all started somewhere. I agree with Vaughn first knife is a big step. Showing it to people is an even bigger step. Solicit honest criticism from someone who makes great knives and their advice will lead you in the right direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steamingiron Posted July 7, 2013 Share Posted July 7, 2013 Thats actually pretty decent for a first knife. First one I ever made was poorly tempered and broken in half whilst being thrown into a tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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