First post, first knife

[Lee B]

I recently completed my first knife and sheath. The knife is a Dozier style skinner. Its blade is O1 steel and is approximately 3 1/2" long. The handle is Rosewood.

It was a bit of a journey getting to this point. I had originally bought a couple of finished blades from Jantz to start on. Before I started working on them, I bought How to Make Knives with Bob Loveless and decided to try stock removal. I had a 1x30" sander and tried to bevel a couple of blades without a lot of luck. I decided I needed a "real" grinder and spent the next three months putting a No Weld Grinder (which I had welded) together. This knife is my first output and I still haven't done anything with the finished blades! Actually, I traded one of them for a bench top band saw.

Lee

[Ray Rogers]

Welcome to the forum, Lee! That knife looks really good for a first - or second, or third - effort. Most of us go through the kit blade, 1x30 phase. I glad you got over it quickly ...

[Icho]

Looks awesome! I hope my first turns out even close to as nice as yours. I just finished my first handle on a finished blade which I cannot wait to post when I take a good pic. I can't wait to see your second.

[ricky_arthur]

Very nice! I'm looking to upgrade my grinder, guess I'll google no weld grinder and see what you did...Unless you want to post pics. I can weld so Thats not an issue.

[Lee B]

Ray,
Thank you for the welcome and the kind words.

Icho,
Thank you for your comment as well. I have two more of the same style in progress and will post pics when I have them completed.

Ricky,
I'll post some pics of my grinder tomorrow. I purchased the plans at usaknifemaker.com.

Lee

[Cthulhu]

Very nice initial work.

You have every right to be proud.

[Lee B]

I was able to take a little better photo of the knife, and per Ricky's request, I took a few photos of my welded No Weld Grinder.

I still find my 1x30 sander useful for handle work and other small chores, but that may change once I assemble an arm with a tool rest and removable platen. That's on my to-do list along with building a stitching horse for leather work and half a dozen other projects!

Lee