Rice 2020 WIP

One of the handles was just too blocky for me (how big are your hands hillbilly?) - so I cut some curves in her and she just still don't feel right. Sumthin's off :mad:
One thing that seems to be fairly universal among newer makers is the tendency for to make handles too big/fat. This is something I still come across occasionally and find myself thinking "this blade/handle combo looks good, but doesn't feel good." Fortunately it's easier to correct a handle that's a bit too large than if it was the other way around.

Another couple of things that seem to be fairly universal is that handles with a profile of an upside-down egg (when looking down the spine from the butt end) seems to be comfortable for most folks. And a coke'bottle shape from blade to butt also seems to be a good shape for most blades.
 
One thing that seems to be fairly universal among newer makers is the tendency for to make handles too big/fat. This is something I still come across occasionally and find myself thinking "this blade/handle combo looks good, but doesn't feel good." Fortunately it's easier to correct a handle that's a bit too large than if it was the other way around.

Another couple of things that seem to be fairly universal is that handles with a profile of an upside-down egg (when looking down the spine from the butt end) seems to be comfortable for most folks. And a coke'bottle shape from blade to butt also seems to be a good shape for most blades.
Thanks BillyO for the tips man - You have no idea how much I appreciate it
 
Ok! Got a poor man's filing jig built today.. Even put it to use!


So before even joining KD - I had acquired about 50 old old files from my wife's Grandfather that he had for who knows. Most I am sending off to see if they can be sharpened (thanks Hillbilly!) but some, are what got me started on this knife making journey - a desire to turn a handful of those files into a 'knife' that looks good and is solid - (doesn't need awards) - as a gift to my wife's dad, uncle and brother. I know they will get a kick outta that. They didn't have to be perfect - and Lord knows that first one came out the 'ugly baby' - just needed to resemble a knife. Then I found KD and have kinda been sucked in to a pretty cool thing. Anyway - I pulled out one of those files that I have a couple months back profiled to a letter opener for my sis-in law. That is my first filing victim until I get my 1084 for old Bruce's knife - I just got tired of whittlin....

Anyway - here's a pic of my very first 25 file strokes with the file set at 4.6* - I am kinda pumped...


Ready for my steel to get here for real....
 
Greg my boy, I'm proud of ya, I say proud!
looks good and very usable.
couple of hints ...try to only move the file one width per stroke ( that will keep those diagonal lines away , otherwise, you have to go back and clean them up). Also, keep the file teeth clean. That's just something ya gotta get used to doin.
 
Why thank ye sir! That makes me smile...

Ok - so straight file strokes - not the circular ones I was dong? They need to make a file that cuts on the pull so ya dint have to use yer left hand - mine argues with my brain... doesn't do what it is told

I looked for a piece of brass - no bueno at big box - only thing I have is a file card and you said no go on those

That file I am using is an old file from Austria - I have no idea how sharp or dull it is...
 
Lookin' good Greg. Those three drawings are very nice! You have a good eye for design. We have high hopes for ya...!! (read "hopes" as "expectations"...lol)
 
Thank you @Smallshop ! I cannot claim any of those designs as original - one was from one of Randy Lucius' site -others from elsewhere - I can imitate fairly well - When it came time for originality I chose looks instead :cool:
 
That amount of manual labor looks terrifying. Good luck Sir! Looks good so far!
Thanks Nick - need all the luck I can get... Manual labor - you got that right but since I just sit behind a desk most days - I can use a little manual labor! I am really learning a lot though - don't tell him I said so - but ol' brucie has some good tips for a noob - and a special delivery method!! All of you guys are a huge help - often without even knowing it
 
Ok - need some input

Now that I have my blades profiled I need to drill some holes. In order to do that, I need to do some lay out for pin placement, extra balancing the blade holes and clean up the radius's -you know, and all that cool blade smith speak for 'punching holes and grindin' metal shop time' - I have a question for you guys:

Pins - who'd a thought they could be so bothersome? In looking at many of your knives, I tend to lean more to liking the smaller, multiples > 3 - pins such at @Dennis Morland's 7 pin example in his leather sheath build (which is awesome by the way) So what are some things I should be on the lookout for & consider as I figure out where to put some pins (I so suck at this part...) I am looking to use 1/8 pins Smaller? When do you consider putting a tube or hole into one end? How big are these tubes or holes usually? 3/16? 1/4? As you can maybe see below, I am planning a copper spacer on one knife (if I can navigate that bevel) - I assume pins in each of the Ebony's, what about the spacer? Need a pin? What is the going 'Pin Theory?'


and I dunno why it keeps flipping my photo - Anyone know how to delete a photo from their media?
 
Ok - need some input

Now that I have my blades profiled I need to drill some holes. In order to do that, I need to do some lay out for pin placement, extra balancing the blade holes and clean up the radius's -you know, and all that cool blade smith speak for 'punching holes and grindin' metal shop time' - I have a question for you guys:

Pins - who'd a thought they could be so bothersome? In looking at many of your knives, I tend to lean more to liking the smaller, multiples > 3 - pins such at @Dennis Morland's 7 pin example in his leather sheath build (which is awesome by the way) So what are some things I should be on the lookout for & consider as I figure out where to put some pins (I so suck at this part...) I am looking to use 1/8 pins Smaller? When do you consider putting a tube or hole into one end? How big are these tubes or holes usually? 3/16? 1/4? As you can maybe see below, I am planning a copper spacer on one knife (if I can navigate that bevel) - I assume pins in each of the Ebony's, what about the spacer? Need a pin? What is the going 'Pin Theory?'


and I dunno why it keeps flipping my photo - Anyone know how to delete a photo from their media?
cause auto rotate is on ?
On your blade that is profiled , clean off the handle portion , then draw in your pin and lanyard holes till they look good. Then , you can fine tune with actual measurement
 
Here is a rudimentary drawing about how I place pins. This is a knife with a bolster. You need to adjust if you do not use a bolster. I place two pins in the bolster in the center of the knife. I use a caliper to find the center and scratch indication lines on blue dykem. On the scales I measure the length of the scales and attempt to keep the pins evenly spaced apart. Again caliper/blue dykem. From the outside edge I come in .200 to .300. I use 3/32 pins, usually. Larger pins necessitate coming in farther from the outside edge. If you want, you can run the pins down center of the blade. Pin placement should be pleasing to the eyes...

009256-A3-A00-A-46-DA-BA2-E-463-E8-F650-A69.jpg
 
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