Cheap Gift Knife

Johan Nel said:
I've been contemplating this thread and reflecting on the headinin particular.
If theOB will bear with me on this, I would like to make this observation:
Normally when a knife is referred to as a "cheap knife", the mental picture of a mass fabricated, poorly made knife which will not last long, springs up in my mind.
It is however my opinion, that in the case of this knife, a matter of materials that was fairly cheaply obtained by the maker, but the craftsmanship in this case, is excellent. The knife is well built and will last a lifetime, I believe. I suspect that all the commentators on this thread has similar thought, but I wanted to express this in writing.
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I think that it might also be a measure of how we as makers define "cheap". To me if the materials cost are a certain amount, I will define my knife as "cheap to make", but only so far as the materials are concerned. I would agree that the OP has made a beautiful knife using"cheap to source" materials, but in no way would I call that a "cheap" knife. Had it been a crudely made POS from a Chinese factory that cost $7 total and would dull after cutting bread, that to me is "cheap". The knives we and the OP make are designed to last a lifetime, no matter what the materials cost, and to me those are not cheap knives. I am sure the person getting this knife will get a lifetime of use and enjoyment out of it, and hopefully will pass it on. To me that is where the true value lies.
Just my 0.02$.
 
J. Doyle said:
Thanks for the post. Hopefully I didn't seem like I was attacking you....not my intent.

Many things in knifemaking are subjective. And some things are right and wrong.

Steel types and what they should be quenched in for optimal results are things with proven scientific results and really aren't open to interpretation or opinion.

Again, one time, using whatever you have on hand is one thing. If you were going to pursue a different steel that was best suited to a different oil, I would either buy proper oil or use steel suited to the oil I had.

Our goal should be to make the best knife possible with our chosen steel, tools and equipment. We all should want to be taken seriously if we plan to make knives consistently. There's no point in intentionally leaving performance on the table just to prove a point or soothe a grudge.

While I may agree with the sentiment that 1084 is best suited to a fast oil, maybe it was presented to you in a poor fashion.
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I don’t disagree with that. I have both Parks AAA and Parks 50 after being concerned about all the other easy to obtain oils. Expensive for the hobbyist that only makes a few knives a year, although I am making more now. I also bought an oven after concerns on temperature accuracy and control. I usually use the NJSB directions, but not all my steel came from there. It is one thing to point out a possible mistake or lesser method, but no reason to go on the offensive. Not speaking about you. I don’t really sell knives because I don’t have enough gained experience to trust it. Getting there though. I am debating a hardness tester, but also trying to not cross a line for what I call handmade. It is addicting at this point. I don’t have enough time to try all the things I would like. Trying different steels to see what differences I see in working them. I don’t ignore advice, but rather test it to see for myself. Having another discussion over hidden tang dos and donts, so I have a couple of tests going. In particular about the length of the tang and whether a pin does more good than harm.
 
The most precious possessions that anyone owns are those that were given as gifts, especially those that are handmade and given with no expectation of return. Price, even perfection, is never the issue. This was an extremely selfless thing to do.

No doubt, this young man will offer the same type of kindness to someone else in the future. This is how gratitude and kindness begin to flourish.

Congratulations!
 
great knife, beautiful work. I shop Petco and Petsmart and all I can say is your store has a better selection than mine.
 
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