New member first knife

[alan whelan]

I have just finished my first knife I made it from a file but worked on it hard ie I did not temper it to make the holes I used a Dremel and a lot of tips it took 24 hrs, what do you think. I would like constructive criticism. Thanks

 

[Mesquite]

Looks a nice piece of work

 

[Richie'66]

That's not too bad that , your second and third knife will be better and you'll be able to see your improvements.
Would be far easier next time to anneal the metal first though then do your heat treatment.
Good work all the same.

 

[John Fenna]

Hello and welcome!
A nice looking knife you have there too!

 

[sasquatch]

Welcome to the forum. That looks VERY similar to my first knife! Very good. Keep going though, each one will be better than the last as mentioned already. It's an addictive hobby. Leatherwork's next for a sheath now, it's a slippery slope...

 

[shaggystu]

looks superb for a first effort mate, i'm currently in the proccess of making my first "recycled" knife from an old file and i'll be more than happy if it turns out looking that good. well done.

stuart

 

[keen-edge]

That looks fantastic fella keep at it buddy and like Richie66 said its far better to anneal the metal first I have this one i sill have to finish just need to put the handle on

 

[alan whelan]

That looks great, looks very like the horse file I bought yesterday knife no 2. I was going to try an experiment with this one welding spots on the handle to soften it in spots only than drill

 

[Richie'66]

Wow , I likey

 

[Richie'66]

Oh , I just remembered if you proceed as is with the knife you'll need to temper it in the oven.
220 celcius for one hour. Do this so if you drop it it won't shatter(basically it softens the steel a wee bit which is what you want).
You can get drill bit that will drill holes through the file though.....cobalt drill bits I think. That's what I now use as they are very good bits. Not too expensive either if you select just a few sizes.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[milius2]

That is a great knife! Nay plans on making a sheath!?

 

[BarryG]

Welcome to the forum. Thats a nice knife. What handle material did you use?

 

[alan whelan]

Thanks for the tip on the oven I'll do to the next knife too late for this one. The handle is made from a Chestnut burr with a Indian Rosewood dye
Someone is making the sheath for me I don't know anything about leather yet.

 

[keen-edge]

That looks great, looks very like the horse file I bought yesterday knife no 2. I was going to try an experiment with this one welding spots on the handle to soften it in spots only than drill

Thats what it is fella its a Farrier file i got hold of a few

 

[forginhill]

Wow, that's really impressive for a first. You've got a great head start! Handle is well-shaped, finished, and comfortable looking. Blade bevel looks good. Looking forward to seeing the second...

 

[Fredcompanybushcraft]

Nice knife Alan! Much better than my first one will be, I'm sure.

 

[alan whelan]

thanks its great to talk to people about knifes, most just give you funny looks when you say your making knifes, my head start was the last 15 yrs spent wood turning and 30 yrs ago I served my time as a toolmaker.

 

[alan whelan]

Thanks you will be surprised once you start the info gained here is priceless