Rob's 1st knife build - You, with a little bit of me, we're building a knife!

[Faralon]

I've created a monster. Epoxy came right off the wax paper I had wrapped around a 1x2 piece of aluminum channel.

 

[Matt Rochester]

I use wax paper all the time for epoxy projects. It's awesome!

I've created a monster. Epoxy came right off the wax paper I had wrapped around a 1x2 piece of aluminum channel.

 

[Robert Erickson]

I like 2 flute carbide drill bits for drilling hardened steel. I get them slightly oversized. #30 for 1/8", #12 for 3/16" and letter F for 1/4". Before I got the oversized ones I was always fighting the pins being too big.

 

[Faralon]

Thanks for the tips guys. I got two lanyard holes drilled, gonna skip the rest, but for sure I'll check out those carbide bits rcetroy.

 

[Faralon]

1'st knife is ready for final edge! Thanks to everyone who has offered tips and advice!

 

[Greenberg Woods]

How did you like working the macassar?

 

[Faralon]

While I don't have much experience working the woods typically associated with knife handles, the Macassar worked easily. Currently sanded to 220 and finished with Tung Oil. I like the brown / black contrast of the grain a lot! Thanks Ben!

 

[Faralon]

In closing of this thread, I again just wanted to thank everyone for their guidance thru this journey.
Lessons learned:
1. Get as much done before heat tread as you can! Including some sanding to remove the file gouges from the jig.
2. Filing with the Gough Jig after heat treat, to get to final edge thickness is a no go. I'd go just a little thinner than the thickness of a dime so there isn't as much to grind down, and just grind a secondary bevel to sharpness if you don't have access to a belt sander.
3. I need to work on getting my plunge lines more defined.
4. Need to work on not rounding the plunge line over while sanding to keep a nice clean line.
5. Knife is really tail heavy. Need to work on more stock removal in the tang.

Those are my major takeaways, there are tons of little things to work on for sure.

Thanks again!

 

[Rick Marchand]

Nice build thread... Seems you've taken quite a bit away from it.

In your next thread, we'll see how Faralon you've come with your craft.... badum-bum.

 

[GATroutBum]

Fantastic thread man with a great result! I'm currenty just about doing the same thing as you did, only with just one knife. I'm also using the jig from Aaron Gough. I've learned a ton from your thread and I'm already thinking forward on my next steps...thanks man and great work!!!