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The Newbies Arena Are you new to knife making? Here is all the help you will need.

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  #1  
Old 03-03-2004, 11:45 PM
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Messinger Messinger is offline
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Time to show the goods I guess. (My "First knife" post)

Well, after pestering you all for months I've actually made a knife! I should have ordered Don Robinson's "My Way" book long before starting this project. I was probably 80% done with this knife when I got the book and so I call this knife "The Hard Way" because I did so many things backwards. I highly recomend Don's book. It'll make my next project MUCH easier. Well, anyway it's done and I think it turned out good for a first effort. It was made as a gift for my father. While I know it's plain looking, there is sentimental value in the scales - they are made from a splinter off the years-ago broken stock of the rifle he taught me to shoot with as a child. He liked it and that was what was most important.

I want to thank everyone here for helping me get started. I've been getting a lot of direct help from Don Robinson, Ray Rogers, Dave (sorry, don't know your last name yet), and many others. My ongoing thanks to all of you. Many of you have also been a wonderful help indirectly - through your past posts and by providing artistic inspiration. I'm deeply impressed by the artistry and craftsmanship many of you share here, not to mention the great community and support.

Well, here's the picture. As you can see I've got as much work to do on my photography as I do on my knives. I'm sure they'll both get better with time and practice.

-Ben

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Old 03-03-2004, 11:59 PM
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Congratulations Ben. I think you did a great job. You should be proud.

How about some specs on the materials and size?


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Old 03-04-2004, 12:04 AM
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SKIVIE SKIVIE is offline
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Very impressive Ben. Sentimental Value sure adds a lot to a project like that. Keep up the good work.
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Old 03-04-2004, 12:21 AM
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Osprey Guy Osprey Guy is offline
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Hell, I'm blown away!


You did fantastic...that'd be great for your 20th knife least of all your first.


Nice fit and finish, nice styling, interesting that you picked a "flipper" for your first folder (I assume that's what this is)...How's the action?


Please do post the specs...


I'm envious of your apparent shop knowledge.

All in all great job...way to go!


Dennis Greenbaum

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Old 03-04-2004, 07:59 AM
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...and a leftie, at that.

Very nice work. Clean and well done. Good job!


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Old 03-04-2004, 09:00 AM
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Good job Ben! Shows a lot of potential........


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  #7  
Old 03-04-2004, 10:37 AM
ChrisCo ChrisCo is offline
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Dude! Very nice!

What's so plain about it? It looks like a fine daily carrier to me!
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  #8  
Old 03-04-2004, 12:12 PM
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Thanks for all the kind comments. It means a lot. Jamey, good eye. Yes, it's a lefty.

Specs are pretty ordinary...

O-1 blade, edge quench, triple temper
Titanium liners
O-1 backspacer and bolsters
Walnut scales
Finish is 2000g hand rubbed

It has most of the common newbie characteristics. Specifically, many of the lines that looked crisp on paper came out more rounded and radiused in the end. I'll work on that going forward. The notch cut for the flipper is too deep - the next one will be shallower. Screw placement looked good on paper, but as the knife was profiled it changed dimensions enough that the bolster screws don't look right any more. More lessons learned. The action is good but not perfect. It's as good as a lot of over-the-counter knives, but not in the same class I'd like it to be. Next one will be better for sure.
I learned a lot about doing things in the correct order... by doing them in the wrong order. I can't wait to do the next one. Thanks guys.

-Ben
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Old 03-04-2004, 07:04 PM
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Very Nice Ben, Congratulations on a fine first effort, Keep up the great work.

Darren


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  #10  
Old 03-04-2004, 09:43 PM
Dave Kelly Dave Kelly is offline
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I really like your style Ben, You and your father should be very proud. I've looked at it a few times and it's hard to believe this is your first knife, you did great! Congratulations and already looking forward to #2, Dave

P.S. How do you like the flipper, I've been thinking about making one
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  #11  
Old 03-04-2004, 11:02 PM
ragnik ragnik is offline
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ben,

nice looking knife and the value of the old stock wood you used!! Well that is just great. I bet your dad loves it!! I never tried to make a folder but i bet its tough!! I think you did an awesome job for your first knife!!


Take care

Ross
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  #12  
Old 03-05-2004, 01:36 AM
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Messinger Messinger is offline
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Thanks again everyone. The kind words are good to hear. I'm really looking forward to the next one because of all the things I'll know to do differently. The end result won't be all that different, but getting there should be easier.

I really do like the flipper design - even more than I had hoped. I plan to keep making them, but will try variations. Probably many.

...And I need to learn to dress them up nice like Dennis and Dave do (and many of the others here too).

-Ben
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  #13  
Old 03-05-2004, 04:25 AM
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Bernez Bernez is offline
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Very nice Ben,

If my first folder comes out to look 1/10th like yours, I'll be happy

Bernez


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  #14  
Old 03-05-2004, 07:20 AM
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Fantastic, Ben! Sincere congratulations.

Your work is better than my first attempts a long time ago. I'm looking forward to the next one, done "MyWay" combined with "Your Way". We all learn from each other, and a good knifemaker evolves rapidly.

The wood scales look like walnut to me. When I was a kid I had a single shot .22, a Stevens if I remember correctly.
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