First knife blank

[Tom Gold]

Finally got round to starting my first knife project after seeing so many superb examples on this forum. Anyway, here it is, not yet heat treated and with a couple of grades of sandpaper still to go on the finish.

Its 4mm 01 which feels very heavy compared to the Mora but have attempted a sabre grind in order to bring the weight down

Would welcome your frank and robust comments and any tips on how long it should be given in the oven (and what temp) post hardening

 

[Tommyd345]

Looking good!

What tools did you use?

 

[Shelley]

I think it may be too pointy, the tip looks like it might snap off...it also looks a tad short, if it's O1 then between 805 and 810 is the ideal top temp for hardening then oil cooled before annealing, which is cooler but still to hot to handle, also may want to look at covering in boric acid to reduce decarb...

 

[Tom Gold]

Thanks Tommy, used hacksaw, files and sandpaper. Also a home-made filing jig similar to the one used by Aaron Gough, youtube knifemaker. Look him up - guys a whizz at knifemaking!

 

[Tom Gold]

Thanks for the tip Shelley (see what I did there?) Yes, only realised its shorter than the Mora when I took the photo!