After several years of heating and beating hot metal I finally decided to start making knifes. For practice I decided to use a rr spike, I know that most people on here frown on these but since I have several I decided to une some for practice pieces. It still needs some clean up and sharpining, have to get some sandpaper, all I had on hand was 60 grit on a 4x36 belt grinder.

Please let me know what you think.

Nice simple design for your first try. My first rr spike had the same look to it. It needs some more finish work especially on the bevel. I have been at this for only about a year I am still using files so I can truly understand the bevels and angles. But good job keep it up.

Not bad for a first go. If you have an angle grinder, I highly recommend using it for the bevels. I wasted A LOT of time fumbling around with the 4x32 when I started making knives.

Better than my first knife. 

Thanks guys, I am pretty happy with it. It is pretty tough and makes a good chopper, took a good edge. haven't used enough to see if it it will keep an edge but it will shave the hair on my arm. 

That looks real good, I made my first knife with a rail road spike a few weeks ago, and it was definitely a learning experience.

EMC: A.G.Russell, once folded and flattened an aluminum beer can and honed it till he could shave hair on his arm with it---keeping a shaving edge is what's impressive.

Now learn to forge weld, and add a file to the side of it so you have some good edge holding steel in it.

ChrisPTF, I like the shape of yours, very clean work on the twist too.