Newbie critique

[believerjoe]

New around here and had some health issues that stopped me for a while, but found some issues and fixing them. I have about 40 knives under my belt and the first 5 a 10 were about as simple as it gets. Stock reduction with a grinder. All full tang knives and that is not where my heart is. Went to hidden or stick tangs and have now turned out 3 with 2 more in the works. I will add other pics so you can see the difference.

 

[believerjoe]

First one ever. Burnt the tip of the blade and proportions all screwy. Used a buffer to hide the flaws! Lol. Nice piece of wood though!

 

[believerjoe]

Several more issues came up on this one. I found curves easier than straight. Hardened the blade before I drilled a hole and could not get through it. Luckily the pins were done, but I was adding another and then had to just drill out a larger hole and fill with more rod. Oh well!

 

[believerjoe]

Started adding some leather. One pic was too large to upload. Work was improving, but still no greatness.

 

[believerjoe]

Now all my files are too large. I will see what I can get posted. I got better, I promise.

 

[believerjoe]

First partial tang and was proud, but still flaws. It still works great though. Kept adding to it over time.

 

[believerjoe]

Another. Really like this package.

 

[believerjoe]

Then I traded a knife for a small anvil and forged my first knife. Custom steel star and other embellishments. Second partial tang. Rock solid and heavy! Lol I just gave it away a couple weeks back.

 

[believerjoe]

Decide to make a kitchen knife for the wife. Loved it, but the blade was still too thick. Still correctable, but I stop when things look Ok.

 

[believerjoe]

My brother wanted a paring knife. My best knife probably by that time. Only thing was he wanted light wood, and I used pecan that was not stabilized. The sanding process was leaving metal buried in the grain. So I decide to embrace it and and go for an oak barrel look. Tons of butcher block wax bugged into it to fill the pores.

 

[believerjoe]

And this was the latest. Started out just using scrap but adding to my stick tang skills. For this one up nice, but still not quite right. I’ll throw some leather at it and give it away soon.

 

[believerjoe]

One in progress now. First sub hilt someone asked for. Trading for helping me with my quench tank and a work table. Forged and I will struggle to get everything right. Lots of file work on my future.

 

[believerjoe]

And my very special project. First time with stainless guard and bolster. Forged but having to adjust with grinder and I did not hammer in the bevels. So it’s a hybrid! I spent the money on a piece of my favorite thing in the world as I get bolder. Amber stag! MUST BUY MORE! Also my largest project to date and will need the new quench tank. First Hamon will be attempted. Plenty to do still, but will be heart broken if I can’t make it work. Already fixed the issue with the ricasso aligning with the bolster. Gave it a much better look. Lots to do......

 

[Alden Cole]

Hey Beleiverjoe, these all look great, I am a newbie as well, so take this with a grain of salt. For the pecan on the paring knife, or just porous woods, I know many people use super glue to fill in all the little gaps. I have done this with minimal success, but it is an option. Most people call what you are calling partial tangs hidden tangs, but I think we know of what you speak . Good luck with the big fellow, and I'm guessing some more experienced guys will be along to give some more critique.

 

[EdCaffreyMS]

I've looked that this thread a couple of times, but have held off commenting because...... The title uses the word "critique", and for me, as an ABS Mastersmith, there is a huge difference between me "looking" at a person's knives, and "critiquing" them.

When someone asks me to "look" at their knives, then I try to be as nice as possible, and only speak to the good things. On the other hand when I'm asked to "critique" knives, I look at them, and give hard/honest feedback, as if the individual were testing for their ABS Journeyman or Mastersmith test/rating.

Why say that? Because time and experience has taught me that most people do not want an actual "critique" of their work/knives, and very often get their feelings hurt when an honest critique is given. More often than not, people are looking to have their egos stroked, by being told how great their work/knives look/are.

I was going to respond to several of the pics in the thread, but wanted to say what I did above before even going there, and ensure that a "critique" is actually what you wanted.

 

[believerjoe]

I've looked that this thread a couple of times, but have held off commenting because...... The title uses the word "critique", and for me, as an ABS Mastersmith, there is a huge difference between me "looking" at a person's knives, and "critiquing" them.

When someone asks me to "look" at their knives, then I try to be as nice as possible, and only speak to the good things. On the other hand when I'm asked to "critique" knives, I look at them, and give hard/honest feedback, as if the individual were testing for their ABS Journeyman or Mastersmith test/rating.

Why say that? Because time and experience has taught me that most people do not want an actual "critique" of their work/knives, and very often get their feelings hurt when an honest critique is given. More often than not, people are looking to have their egos stroked, by being told how great their work/knives look/are.

I was going to respond to several of the pics in the thread, but wanted to say what I did above before even going there, and ensure that a "critique" is actually what you wanted.

Hey Beleiverjoe, these all look great, I am a newbie as well, so take this with a grain of salt. For the pecan on the paring knife, or just porous woods, I know many people use super glue to fill in all the little gaps. I have done this with minimal success, but it is an option. Most people call what you are calling partial tangs hidden tangs, but I think we know of what you speak . Good luck with the big fellow, and I'm guessing some more experienced guys will be along to give some more critique.

 

[believerjoe]

I've looked that this thread a couple of times, but have held off commenting because...... The title uses the word "critique", and for me, as an ABS Mastersmith, there is a huge difference between me "looking" at a person's knives, and "critiquing" them.

When someone asks me to "look" at their knives, then I try to be as nice as possible, and only speak to the good things. On the other hand when I'm asked to "critique" knives, I look at them, and give hard/honest feedback, as if the individual were testing for their ABS Journeyman or Mastersmith test/rating.

Why say that? Because time and experience has taught me that most people do not want an actual "critique" of their work/knives, and very often get their feelings hurt when an honest critique is given. More often than not, people are looking to have their egos stroked, by being told how great their work/knives look/are.

I was going to respond to several of the pics in the thread, but wanted to say what I did above before even going there, and ensure that a "critique" is actually what you wanted.

I am not the ego person. I guess you are right. I want the critique on the latest work as I posted things that were some of the very first knives. If you feel the need to bash them, then hit me! I know when I started I could not get a grind done correctly, and fixed them or made them look OK to me. I will take comments if you want and I will respect them. I do not mark any of them for the concept that I have not reached the point where I like the product I am turning out. Started out just watching Vids and repeating it, until I hit a snag or something new. If I don’t know what others think, then I reckon I can’t get much better. A side hobby, but getting more into it every day.

 

[Chris Railey]

If you feel the need to bash them, then hit me!

Please do not mistake critique for bashing for insults. Anything Ed, or most others on here say would be an honest review of what you could improve. I have not witnessed insults or bashing but I can tell you that would not be tolerated.

 

[EdCaffreyMS]

I wasn't trying to be provocative at all..... just trying to get a feel for where you are, and what you were/are asking. Chris is correct. We don't "bash" around here, but we do strive to help knifemakers get better, but don't want to tramp on feelings doing so. You answered a lot of my questions with your reply. More times than not, I tend to do any "critiques" via PM versus on the open forms.....it's just more private, and can be far more constructive than having things misunderstood by someone else who stumbles into the thread/conversation.

 

[believerjoe]

I wasn't trying to be provocative at all..... just trying to get a feel for where you are, and what you were/are asking. Chris is correct. We don't "bash" around here, but we do strive to help knifemakers get better, but don't want to tramp on feelings doing so. You answered a lot of my questions with your reply. More times than not, I tend to do any "critiques" via PM versus on the open forms.....it's just more private, and can be far more constructive than having things misunderstood by someone else who stumbles into the thread/conversation.

I didn’t mean to sound like you guys were going to rip me. I am not a knife maker, just a guy that makes knives. I have a level I hope to achieve but not in my plans to have a side gig. I enjoy building them and giving them away. I appreciate any feedback. I already know that they aren’t flawless, but I gain valuable knowledge with each one. Also pick up more tools to help along the way. Finally got a knife vise and that made life better. Got a file guide for the Partial tangs and that made life better. Learned to not skip steps to get to the end, and the list goes on.