This is the Knife I am Going to Start On....Thoughts Please...

[Nala]

Hey all,

A couple of months ago STIC sent me a couple pieces of steel to try and make my first knife.  I don't know what kind it is, I'd have to ask him, but it is 5/32 thick and one piece is 8.25 inches long and the other is about 7 inches long.
I haven't thought much about it lately, but in the past week or so I have been wanting to try it.  Since then I have been looking for a pattern that fits the dimensions pretty well so I don't have to remove much material and wouldn't have lots of angles and such that would be hard for me to do.  Naturally I am going to use the STOCK REMOVAL method and STIC told me the steel has already been annealed to make it easier to work.

Here is what I have decided on:

   

It looks like it would be easy enough to get a rough shape on but after that, who know how I will fare.

Any opinions on my choice would be really appreciated.

Thanks for all your help and comments.  Thanks for the steel STIC.

Nalajr

[skullworks]

Can't wait to see it!

[Nala]

I'm gonna need a lot of guidance to get me through this project for sure.  Skull you certainly don't have a think to worry about.  I have admired your work for a LONG time and one day will own one of your works of art.

There are LOTS of very talented smiths on this forum and I enjoy every time I see them post pics of their work.

I'll post a pic once I get the OK from the forum that this would be a suitable project for someone that has never made a knife before and wants to try.

Nalajr

[Toecutter]

I think that's a mighty fine knife and if thats what you're looking for go for it! My only thought might be to start on one without a guard involved for your first try. Lot less work and there are a whole ton of other things to concentrate on your first blade anyways.  Just a thought since you were asking. Good luck and keep us posted!!
Nathan

[Nala]

Feel free to post your suggestion pics or diagrams.  I have another piece of steel that is also 5/32 and 7 1/8 long by 1 1/2 wide.  I could just as easily start with that piece.  I have thought about some sort of TRADE Knife as those look like a suitable first timer project.

My other piece of steel is 5/32 x 8 1/4 x 2.  Just so you know what I am dealing with.

I forgot to publicly thank STIC for sending this to me and not asking for a penny in payback.  One of the MANY reasons I like to call this place home is so many people willing to help by giving of their time and materials.  You just don't find people like this everyday.....

Thanks everyone, looking forward to hearing more suggestions and maybe seeing some pics or drawing of other knives I should take into consideration.

Nalajr

[Nala]

I don't want to get ahead of myself, but the part that I am most worried about is when I have to scribe 2 lines on the edge of the blade part while leaving a gap between them to allow for the eventual heat treating.

Having to remove material on each side down to each one of those scribed lines and have both sides match up is already making me nervous and I haven't even settled on a design yet.

I am gonna need help and encouragement on that part and directions in plain talk.  I can't understand "knife jargon" yet, that's why.

One last thing, if I am going too far in asking for lotsa help making my first knife on here, please let me know.  If there is a more appropriate place to go, tell me, I'll go there.  I don't want to run afoul of the rules and I surely don't want to pester or aggravate the artists that I admire so much that post their art here and give advice and suggestions.  I'm afraid my project might be a bit more than asking advice and wanting suggestions.

Please tell me if I am doing wrong by posting this thread and the questions and pics to come.

Thank you all again for your time, help and eventual patience.

Nalajr

[gables]

There are some stickys at the top of the page linked below that may help you.

You need to take a deep breath and just dive in. Your first knife is just a starting point so look at it as a path of discovery.I would avoid a slotted guard and just put handles on it. My first knife was a small trade knife.

Find pattern, trace on steel, cut and grind out, put magic marker on edges, set caliper at a 1/32 less than half thickness and scribe lines.

[gables]

Link:

 http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/741-Shop-Talk-BladeSmith-Questions-and-Answers

[oldpaths]

I like that design too bro.
Heres a few I made when I first started that are simmular to the design you have chosen.
 
 
 
Best advise I have is to keep an eye out for the knife makeing bug!!! cause when you get bit by one......I know of no cure!  

[Lin Rhea]

Nala,
      First of all I commend you on picking a design as a guide. Next I recommend you do just that. In other words go the distance and stick to it, at least in the blade shape and general layout.

To do that you will need to make a drawing of the knife and some "cut out" patterns of the blade complete with tang and of the handle parts. Make the patterns fit together and work as a unit. You might end up with two or three major part patterns. The blade (including tang with hole location), guard, and scales. By refering to and sticking with these individual knife part patterns while making the actual parts, you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to make a knife of a known design.

Start with the blade and get it done to your satisfaction and then move to the next part. The blade will be more in depth since it involves heat treating, but that can be done as well with a little help from the guys here.

I encourage you to do it with gusto and use it as a learning experience. I have amassed a collection of photos and short video clips of myself and others while performing various procedures of knife handle costruction. If you are posting along the way with questions ahead of time, I can certainly try to help and I know the other guys will too.

[Steve Nuckels]

Go at it Brother, we are here for you!  

We are all at various stages of the learning process and that is part of the fun and the journey.

Steve
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Potomac Forge