How long does it take

[TxMoon]

I was just wondering how many hours on a average does it take to finishes a knife from start to finish? I dont think I will ever get threw with the 3 or 4 that I have started! Its like never ending. I would like to thank everyone here for all the help you have given me with them. After getting laid off of work it has given me something to do other than pulling out the rest of my hair!    

[beaver#1]

be patiant and let it take as long as it takes.  i learned on my first few that if you rush it you will forget a step spmwhere and it just wont be a knife your are happy with.  but to answer your question if i worked on one all day... about 2 maybe three days.  now i cant do anyhing fancy and my skill level is very low so it take me longer.

[d. ward]

Took me 30 years to make 4....bowdoc

[theunluckyhunter]

for something nice with a gaurd probably 9 hours, if im designing as i go probably 12

[Brad Singley]

I have started keeping a bit better track on hours spent on my knives,  what surprised me was how long some tasks took vs others.  One example is hand sanding,  most makers I think do not spend enough time on this.  Part of the reason is it stinks to stand there and go through the process of correctly hand sanding a blade, problem is there is no machine that can duplicate the finish handsanding produces.  Handsanding can take me 6-8 hours on a larger size carbon steel bowie.  Anyways sorry to be longwinded, my last knife took me 23 hours start to finish, thats with oosic handle and nitre blued fittings.

[robtattoo]

Depends on the knife for me!
I've just finished a Bushcrafter that's taken me 2 solid days. The big Blackwood bowie I just sold took 4. However some of my 'regular' knives can be done in as little as 4 or 5 hours.
A lot depends on the level of blade finish requested by the customer & the handle material. I find that there are some materials that sand up & finish a lot quicker than others!
Normally a Bushcrafter can be started first thin in the morning & be sheathed & ready to mail by dinner time. This bugger, because of the handle material, took twice that.  :(

I'll post a few pics tommorrow, when I've got some daylight to work with.