Logan,
I've been making knives for 2, almost 3 years now, I still consider myself a neewb! I've had knives (a couple) I've spent over 40 hours on, hand sanding, attempting to get a hamon to show! Keeping the attitude that I'm a neewby keeps me focused on learning and making different stuff, I really don't want to be stuck in a particular design, shape or size to the point that someone can look at it and know it's my work, the way you can pick out an Ed Fowler knife. I don't try to be artsy, it just comes out, as long as it's useful beauty, I'm good with it. Your knife has inspired me to get to work on my first carved knife, I've been wanting to do one with a relief carved handle, with a touch of carving on the blade, I really need to get the David Broadwell DVD, I hear it's got great info in it. But for now I'll be spending my time, cleaning the shop and drawing up ideas, since I had surgery on my left hand for Carpal Tunnel, and a trigger finger last friday. I tried to work on a blade last night...bad idea! So I'll just take it easy for a little while, until I can get back at it, it's killing me to not forge something, especially since I've got so many great ideas I want to work on.
I've got a dremel and die grinder, I'll try some scrap steel to see if I can get it like I want it, thanks for the tips, and BTW, where did you get your needle files? If you didn't know this, Sears warranties ALL of their files, break one, wear one out and they replace it!!!! NO KIDDING!! I broke a needle file from a kit, took it back and they pullled one out of another kit to replace it. Check it out, that saves a lot of money! REX
BTW, GREAT LOOKING KNIVES!!!