"The Moment", For Me

I enjoy all of knifemaking, but right at this point in the process is where I get that first big smile. For me that's the moment I can really tell whether or not a particular knife is what I was hoping it would be. Much more work to go, but this moment speaks to me (you know-- that's a keeper, or, to the scraps bucket). Of course, to the scrap bucket sometimes happens sooner!
Where is your moment?

Great post!

For me that “moment” has been every step of the process that I struggled with. In the beginning it was finishing the grinding process without burning the tip or ruining the plunges. Then it became no gaps in the handle. Then it was shaping the handle evenly on both sides.

Regardless of where in the process it happens, I still have that “moment” on every single knife. Each design has its own moment for me. But if I had to pick my moment right now its when I put the edge on the knife. That’s when it feels real to me and I start thinking I’m in the clear.

The moment that never goes away is getting one out the door before I manage to scratch it somehow.

For me the moment is when the handle is successfully pinned and epoxied to the tang with everything as it is intended at that point. The handle shaping has never left me with a problem so that is always past the problem stage potential

I am going to be incredibly happy just to get a knife through heat treat! Try in a few hrs!

For me, after finishing the 400 grit sanding of the handle. All the shaping is done and the edges are smooth. You're able to get a really good feel for the knife in your hand.

I have 2...........The "Moment" that always makes me smile, and never gets old.....is that moment when a customer is standing at my table at a show.... they have one of my knives in their hand, and we are talking...... they are rolling the knife around in their hand, gripping it in every way imaginable, and randomly, they look down at the knife, then back at me.....and eventually say something along the lines of...... "This knife just FEELS good." What I've come to believe is that they are feeling that little part of me, that was put into the knife, and supports what I always say about what a custom knife must be/have....
1. Look Good
2. FEEL GOOD
3. Work Good

When it comes to hands on building, its that moment after building a complex bar of damascus..... and I test etch it to see if the pattern actually came out the way I intended it to.

I didn't know so many people had moments. I tend to say YES as I swoop my hand down, like I just won the lottery. Right now it's typically late in the build. Usually after I unclamp the epoxied scales and give it a quick sanding all the way around the spine. That's when I get that first feel of the knife in my hand, a feeling that I won't screw it up at that point.

Retroguy said:

I didn't know so many people had moments. I tend to say YES as I swoop my hand down, like I just won the lottery. Right now it's typically late in the build. Usually after I unclamp the epoxied scales and give it a quick sanding all the way around the spine. That's when I get that first feel of the knife in my hand, a feeling that I won't screw it up at that point.

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Agreed! There’s something oddly satisfying about first sanding back the handle material flush to the spine of the blade on a full tang knife.
I think it’s partly because the handle material comes off so fast and easy compared to the many many hours already spent grinding and sanding the steel of the blade. And at long last you get a view of what the finished piece is going to look like.

Andy

About to finish my second knife and my moment is when I can look at it off the grinder and would be ok showing it to other people.

Merle said:

Agreed! There’s something oddly satisfying about first sanding back the handle material flush to the spine of the blade on a full tang knife.
I think it’s partly because the handle material comes off so fast and easy compared to the many many hours already spent grinding and sanding the steel of the blade. And at long last you get a view of what the finished piece is going to look like.

Andy

Click to expand...

I must be a bit fortunate in that regard Andy as I can "see" the finished handle while it is still in the block form when I pick the handle material so t is almost never a surprise to see it emerge during the shaping.

For me...

When the sheath is done....

Well I have several good moments such as -
I especially like it when the 180 grit is finished!
I love the sound of a newly sharpened blade as it zips through a length of receipt paper.
Bad moments -
the two inch divot.
Burning any part of the blade with 150 grit belt.
Misaligned handle pins.

I have many more