My efforts to date

[Brinven]

So my first two knives are pre made blades (2nd one bought from Jantz (their American made ones) and first one from Texas Knifemakers supply) which I finished out. Both then given away as gifts, but a friend of my moms loved the first one so much he's paying me to do one for him.

Here's the first one, Dymondwood scales, basic brass pins etc (I've posted pics of it before, just including it for completeness )







I made the sheath for a different knife, but I ran out of time, and since it actually fit it pretty well, I used it

 

[Brinven]

The second knife was a bit more ambitious.

It's the Model 31 Jantz pattern, with a stainless bolster, stainless pins and thong hole, mosaic pin and desert camo Kirinite handles (with red and black liners).







All in all, I'm happy with it, although it still needs some more sanding/buffing in these pics (I ordered some buffing supplies though)

 

[Doug Lester]

You have every right to be happy with your work. You did a great job of finishing the knives.

Doug

 

[Jon Kelly]

I really like the handle material on that second knife.

 

[ryansmith9641]

What was the process on the first one to get that finish on the handles. I really like it but mine never seem to come out that shiny

 

[dereklee12]

Very cool knives. That kirinite came out really nice. One tip for your pictures. Make a light box. A simple one will cost you 15 bucks. I use a moving box from homedepot that white tissue paper used for stuffing christmas gifts (kinda like tracing paper) a few clamp lamps and some daylight bulbs.
My pictures went from this

To this

Same point and shoot camera that my girlfriend let me use. She already had the tripod that I used.
If you would like some help building the light box pm me.

 

[Brinven]

What was the process on the first one to get that finish on the handles. I really like it but mine never seem to come out that shiny

hand sanded up to 1500 grit, then a liquid wax, and then buffed with a 0000 steel wool. It was surprisingly "grippy" afterwards too, I was expecting it to be too slick, but I wanted it shiny for the "presentation" when I gave it to my brother in law.

 

[Brinven]

Very cool knives. That kirinite came out really nice. One tip for your pictures. Make a light box. A simple one will cost you 15 bucks. I use a moving box from homedepot that white tissue paper used for stuffing christmas gifts (kinda like tracing paper) a few clamp lamps and some daylight bulbs.

Derek, first words out of my wife;'s mouth when she saw the pictures "we have GOT to get you a light box!" LOL Also, I need to start using my Canon DSLR and not my iPhone to take the pictures

Thanks for the kind words all It means a LOT

 

[Steven Long]

Very nice work.

On the pictures, I have found that I get great results taking them outside in the shade. I was getting weird results with the light box but will be trying a few new things with it before giving up on it.

Keep up the great work.

 

[Brinven]

Ok, got another one finished out, pre made 154CM blade from Jantz, with red and black Dymondwood (everyone Loooves the red and black) also, I got a light box! Huge difference in quality (and these are my first attempts at pictures, still using the iPhone camera)

 

[redmech]

Nice work.

 

[Brinven]

Ok, been sick, dealing with a back injury and just far too much at my primary job and my side job... But I did get a few more done (again, these are all premade blades, I'm just attaching/shaping the handles). I'm going to be picking up a different grinder soon, because I REALLY want to work on blades, and I'm running up against the limitations on the Harbor Freight 4x36)... Anyway, here's the pics

This is a red and gold Kirinite, with brass pins and bolster (did this for my mom, she loved it, but she's a bit biased )










Finished up the Blue/Yellow one for my buddy, stainless bolster and pins (Kirinite scales)

 

[Brinven]

And finally, my wife LOVES Damascus, but I have been hesitant to try it, don't want to screw up something expensive... Anyway I saw this little guy on usaknifemaker.com, for $56. My wife has small hands and loves little knives, so I figured this was perfect. After I showed her the blade we went to Texas Knifemakers Supply so she could pick out the scales she wanted... She found these cool mother of pearl in something called Acrylyster (I think that's spelled right). Easy stuff to work with but it doesn't react well to acetone lol. The pins are carbon fiber, first time for me on that, but I liked them a lot.

 

[Brinven]

Finished up two more this weekend. I have one more premade blade to finish (another cancer benefit donation) and then I'll be making them from scratch... Blades and all

Anyway:

Black Micarta, copper liner and pins







I screwed it up a tiny bit, the handle is too far into the ricasa, but it looks ok... On a side note, people should warn newbs like myself that copper is a PITA to work with lol. It was eating (cheap) belts like candy!

And this one: green Kirinite with orange and white liners (it's for an Irishman, and the colors are a nod to the Irish flag )