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 :)

Fine looking knife ya got there!

Whoa. AWESOME!

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!

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.

That's sweet! 
Thanks for sharing, 
Bacha. 

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.............

rhitee93, where in central/west Indiana are you from? 

 

This knife is beautiful! 

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.

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!

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

Really nice looking blade. Careful, it's a slippery slope to the dark side.

John