rhitee93 Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I thought I'd post a pic of the knife I finished over the long holiday weekend. It was primarily an excuse to try doing some filework which I found to be enjoyable, and certainly hope practice it some more. The blade is 1095 quenched in brine from 1500F for 4 seconds and finished in canola. It was tempered at 400F for 2 hours. The handle is stabilized ironwood and brass. The blade is about 7" and the overall length is about 12" Here is the glamor shot: And one with low angle lighting to show the hamon a bit: ...and of course, the filework which has it's issues, but turned out fair. I'll do better on the next one :) I'm new at this hobby so feel free to throw out any constructive criticisms :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BM454 Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Fine looking knife ya got there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swords9023 Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Whoa. AWESOME! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windancer Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Great job, fine knife. You can get things so perfect that they look machine made, defeating the purpose of making things by hand. Filework just leavs me cold if it is too 'even'. Hand crafted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhitee93 Posted December 2, 2014 Author Share Posted December 2, 2014 Thanks all for the compliments. Dave, I struggle with the whole 'Perfection' thing. I know nothing is perfect, even when made by a machine. However, I have a warped sense of what is good enough. Because of the near mirror finish, this knife highlighted my issues more than ever. I don't think I am capable of making a truly flawless knife. This knife isn't anywhere close to flawless, but even if the gross errors weren't present, there would be some aspect that I think should be better. I am struggling with this right now because I have two friends who are interested in having me make something for them. Both have discerning taste and a good eye for quality and craftsmanship. The thrill and honor of making something to go in their collections is highly motivating, but I'm not sure I will ever be able to make myself comfortable with the outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EduBacha Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 That's sweet! Thanks for sharing, Bacha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossdawg Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Years ago I was looking at a customized car and started talking with the owner, I was complimenting him on a beautiful car and flawless. He told me all the little flaws in it. He said that when you do something for yourself you know all the faults, but everybody else isn't as critical. MORAL: Don't ask don't tell............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Frisse Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 rhitee93, where in central/west Indiana are you from? This knife is beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 It is a beutiful knife. For my self perfection is relitive. Its ability to serve the perpose for wich it was built is more important to me. As a "bowei" type knife it looks like it firs that criteria as whell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhitee93 Posted December 9, 2014 Author Share Posted December 9, 2014 Benton, I'm up in Terre Haute. Most people don't know where that is so I just use W.C. Indiana :) I used to say "Where the state line goes from straight to bumpy", but that is too unwieldy. Thanks for the kind words Charles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 I don't consider myself a knife maker, persay, but I have made two that I am quite proud of. That being said, I am quick to point out all of the flaws when I show off my first successful knife. Unless they are schooled in blade making, they usually don't really know what I am pointing out :) You have a beautiful knife in my opinion, and can not see, from these photos, the flaws that you speak of :) Well done! Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhartironwerks Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 Really nice looking blade. Careful, it's a slippery slope to the dark side. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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