My first attempts at knifemaking

[nickg]

Here are a few pics of my (growing) collection of knives that I have made.
Id appreciate comments or feedback.

First attempt was handling a Kay Vistrom scandi blade. Handle is reindeer horn and curly birch with brass and fibre spacers, the handle shape just evolved as it went but its mega comfy to use,

Next up is a neck knife loosely based on a Gene Ingram Wharncliffe that I saw. 01 tool steel with english briar handle hardened to around RC58 it's 10cm long o/a but quite comfortable to use - in fact i cut & trimmed all the leather for the sheath with it.

My latest is a woodlore copy with matching firesteel and awl. Again 01 steel with english briar handle hardened to RC57-8. The awl is based on the type of tool that RM used to make the birch bark canoe from a piece of 6.5mm round mild steel bar heated to bright red and oil quenched tempered to around RC56 but im not too sure.

I plan to make another woodlore copy with staghorn handle and a scandi with a through tang next.

Please feel free to critique.

Nick

 

[Montivagus]

I really like them all! The leather sheath for the Woodlore style knife especially! :You_Rock_

 

[drstrange]

Give up your day job

 

[bloodline]

Nice one Nick are bringing them with you next Kent meet? :You_Rock_

 

[singteck]

What they said! :You_Rock_

 

[TallMikeM]

they're you first attempts?!? Wow, I am deeply envious. Excellent work, really liked the woodlore.

 

[beowolf762]

That sir, is a fine collection of knives!! :You_Rock_

 

[Snufkin]

Very nice work, puts my first attempts to shame. And my second, third and fourths too! If the awl was mild steel you can't heat treat it (only works for high cabon steels). Should still work, just may need regular sharpening.

 

[Shinken]

Nothing to be moan about there! all very nice your sheaths are really good too! mine are pants

 

[nickg]

If the awl was mild steel you can't heat treat it (only works for high cabon steels). Should still work, just may need regular sharpening.

Yeah I really suspected as much but thought it was worth a try anyway just to keep the edge as long as poss. Its only really intended for green woodworking, ie birch bark containers etc and the occasional bird snare.

Nick

 

[nickg]

Nothing to be moan about there! all very nice your sheaths are really good too! mine are pants

Thanks shinken - ive actually been working leather far longer that metal - this is fairly new ground to me

Nick

 

[nickg]

Thanks every body for the engoraging comments - I feel a lot better about my attempts rhan before

Cheers

Nick

 

[swyn]

You've got a good eye Nick. I like the way the handles flow into one another when in their sheath and I like the colour of the wood too. V nice.
ATB, Swyn.

 

[ArkAngel]

Not much more i can add that hasn't already been said...

very very nice, keep up the good work

 

[Snufkin]

Where did you get the english briar from? I quite fancy some of that myself.

 

[Tor helge]

Those are just beautiful. Very good work :You_Rock_ .
I must say I think they are a tad too shiny, but that`s just my opinion.

Tor

 

[chrisanson]

Nice !!!! I make knives and various things for re enactment.
But those are really good .
chris

 

[bent-stick]

Little beauties, I like the way the handles of the awl and firesteel complement one another,

 

[nickg]

Where did you get the english briar from? I quite fancy some of that myself.

I bought it about 15 yrs ago as a bowl blank and held onto it for a 'special' bowl project - course when I came to use it it cracked straight across so i held onto he larger pieces - 'in case'.
I got from here originally http://www.craft-supplies.co.uk they still hold stocks
http://www.craft-supplies.co.uk/cgi-bin/psProdCat.cgi/Briar===Burr,2,,,A===B

Nick

 

[nickg]

Those are just beautiful. Very good work :You_Rock_ .
I must say I think they are a tad too shiny, but that`s just my opinion.

Tor

I know what you mean - when I was doing the woodlore copy I kept finishing the handle shiny, then taking it off with steel wool, then putting it back again - the missis told me to leave it shiny in the end. It does bring out the grain better. It is birchwood-Casey Tru-Oil which is designed for rifle stocks, goes on a dream with a soft rag and really hardens well.