Newbie getting started- made wooden knife mock-up

[Shamrockninja]

Im an old fart that's new to the knifemaking world.
Ive assembled a few from premade blade blanks, but now it's time to start doing things for myself and working on stock removal knifemaking, and home Heat Treat. (With steel from Aldo)


In my other thread I asked for some basic advice, and after reading some incredibly informative tutorials, Ive followed their directions and made a knife out of wood.
Yeah I know I got a little carried away.

I learned alot about working the angles, using files and I gotta say, using wood for practice is one of the best things I could have done.

Thanks again BF for all the incredible knowledge.

Here's a few crappy cellhone pics of my wooden knife blank.
What do you guys think?

wooden knife among a few knives I assembled with a sheath I made.

 

[thegeek574]

I like it, with the exception of the fact that the handle is really, really weird. usually they are curved down, and yours is curved up. tell us if it works, I think it looks interesting.

 

[lonepine]

I think the handle looks quite reasonable and grip-able. I would suggest taking off the top part of the blade along with the gut hook. I don't understand the perceived need for 1.5" - 2" wide blades. And the gut hook just cuz I don't use one and they mess up the otherwise flowing curves. Maybe the bevels could go a little higher up the side of the blade (assuming you disregard my suggestion about the width of the blade). It takes a lot more work to make a blade from a thick, wide, piece of steel, especially if you're doing it with files.

Have fun. Keep us informed as the project progresses.

- Paul Meske

 

[czombie]

I like it, with the exception of the fact that the handle is really, really weird. usually they are curved down, and yours is curved up. tell us if it works, I think it looks interesting.

Really really weird..?????

Have you seen the design of todays knives...they are getting more weird each year.

I like the look OP.

 

[thegeek574]

Really really weird..?????

Have you seen the design of todays knives...they are getting more weird each year.

I like the look OP.

There is the definite possibility that my eyes are weird
It looks interesting. I am not going to knock it until I see the performance reports.

 

[MJV]

What steel from Aldo?

 

[Stag & Steel]

I think the handle will work if you consider that it is curved with a thumb rest. For a functional guthook, you need to remove some of the spine right behind the hook, because with it as is, it will force you into too steep of an angle of attack and you will bind up. I often make wood patterns for customers to try out their ideas. Keep up the effort and you'll get there.
Jim

 

[Shamrockninja]

What steel from Aldo?

1084
Im a glutton for punishment, but I DO try to follow good advice from pros.

I think the handle will work if you consider that it is curved with a thumb rest. For a functional guthook, you need to remove some of the spine right behind the hook, because with it as is, it will force you into too steep of an angle of attack and you will bind up. I often make wood patterns for customers to try out their ideas. Keep up the effort and you'll get there.
Jim

I was actually just playing around with the guthook.
It was an afterthought.. after a few beers.. after a few more beers.

I won't try to put one on my first few knives until I get more comfortable with the "flow" of basic knife design.
I'll try to make a few more wooden mock-ups, and in a week or so I'll buy some 1084 and some better files ( Harbor Freight specials ATM).
My 7 year old son digs the idea of me making wooden knives that he can "appropriate".
He already claimed this one.

Im also debating buying a small bench grinder( I have a small 1x30 HF belt sander), or saving up and getting a cheap HF bandsaw.
Which do you guys think should I try to buy first?

 

[reiko1078]

I would suggest spending money on a ton of good belts for 1x30. I've been using nicholson files however craftsman files from sears have a lifetime warranty and the guy at the store said I could Exchange them if they get dull.......

 

[lonepine]

Im also debating buying a small bench grinder( I have a small 1x30 HF belt sander), or saving up and getting a cheap HF bandsaw.
Which do you guys think should I try to buy first?

I have a nice bench grinder but would trade it for a bandsaw.

- Paul Meske

 

[james terrio]

You're definitely on the right track :thumbup:

I'd go for a humble 2x42 belt grinder, then a $100 or less drill press before a bandsaw.