My first knife and Kirinite handles

C

Cojab

Well-Known Member
Well, where do I begin with this. First off I'm a little embarresed to post pictures of this knife. The only reason I am posting pics is because in a year I hope to compare the difference in my knives and also because I won the Kirinite handles from the drawing and I promised to post pics of them. (Thanks Boss for the handles and I promise the next effort will be improved)
With that being said I can say that I learned a lot on making this knife. I purposefully did things that are above my skill set right now to learn them like the dovetailed bolsters. I really like that look and want to incorporate that into the knives I build. I learned about some knife proportions and am going back to the drawing board on the design of this knife. I learned some things about my grinding and where I can improve that. I also have some ideas for improving my tools and equipment. In short the whole thing was a learning experience and I did have fun.
So here are the pics. Feel free to comment and critique. I'm a big boy and can take it. Thanks all for the help in getting this one started. Now the fun begins!
knife2 002.jpgknife2 004.jpgknife2 005.jpgknife2 007.jpg
 
You have NOTHING to be ashamed of in that first knife! Yeah, there are things to improve, but that's all part of the learning and growing process. :)

Good design, good looking material choices. I guess you don't have much to compare to, but how did you like working with the Kirinite?
 
Shame, no way. Embarassed a bit about the quality, yeah, Ive got to own that one but I dont want it to sound like a pity party. I know they will get better with experience. The main point was it was a fun project and like I said, I really learned a bunch.
As far as the Kirinite, I dont have a lot to compare it to but it seemed alot like working with plexiglass when I was in shop class in school. I burnt it just a bit with my buffer and got a small bubble around the Loveless fastener when I ground them down. I dont think thats a fault of the material but more me just going to fast with it and heating it up too much. It did grind down and shape easily which was very nice.
Thanks for the comments.
 
I think that's a great first knife- with the bolsters and spacers, (not to mention the Kirinite itself being a challenge) you jumped leaps and bounds.
 
Ausbrooks said:
I think that's a great first knife- with the bolsters and spacers, (not to mention the Kirinite itself being a challenge) you jumped leaps and bounds.
Click to expand...

Plus dovetail bolsters...
nice job.
if you jump in that way you will have serious skills quicker than most.
 
You put a lot of challenging details on that knife, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. It looks great, now go make some more. Each you do will look better than the last.
 
You've got BEEEG goons going for Dovetail bolsters on youre first knife! Now youre learning curve went from 10 years to less!!

Well done Martin
 
Great first knife! I sometimes carry my first knife, which does not look as nice as yours, and show it with the pride of a parent showing his first born. I also use it as a reminder of where I started.
 
You have done quite well for your first attempt.

The amount of information about knife making and it's availability were not there like it is today when I started some 15 plus years ago. I started with Tim McCreight's book,
How to make Custom Knives. Still a must read for anyone interested in making knives.

Still, YOU are the one made this knife and I think you should be proud of your work and keep it to look back on as you gather more technique & knowledge.

Laurence

www.rhinoknives.com
 
Not too shabby. I think you did a good job. To do anything well requires repetition. Keep it going!
 
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