New Dabbling in KNIVES...

Ratdog68

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I would go with the epoxy. Even if you don't color it, the gap is so small, it should reflect the color from the scale and bolster that it won't be as noticeable as an air gap. Just force as much into the gap as you can then clean it off before it has a chance to get too hard.
The epoxy has been my first thought. Needs to be thick though. I may get another piece of Canary wood, sand an edge well, and pack the sawdust on after epoxy to give the adhesive a little extra body/coloring. Not even sure I'm gonna mess with it further though... other than to polish the edge to fine tune its hone.
 

Chopperdrvr

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It's definitly pretty as is. It doesn't need anything else but some loving use.
 

Ratdog68

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Thank you... it's been a fun learning tool for me.
 

FrankT

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Really nice RD
 

Ratdog68

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Thank you Frank. Sure makes it fun when the plan comes together. The class was a nice treat, the hands-on enabled me to set the proper steps in when to do what along the way.
 

FrankT

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I wish I had half your patience and skills...very nice
 

Ratdog68

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The next one, w/o a bolster should go a lot quicker/easier.
 

FrankT

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I keep buying new automatic knives seems I am addicted, last is a Lighting OTF yet to be delivered.
 

Ratdog68

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Knife gets dull... buy a new one? LOL
 

FrankT

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No I have my magic sharpener so mine are always sharp. Truth is I lost my expensive Benchmade and ever since have been collecting lesser autos and seeing how cheap I can buy them

Samurai Shark Tungsten Carbide Steel Knife Sharpener

s-l500.jpg
 

Oso Grande

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Well done RD! I'm impressed with what your work with that sheath did to its overall appearance. It's night and day! Did you remove/replace the rivet as well or were you able to work around it easy enough?

The finish you've put on that blade is great. Damn nice project and a hell of a way to start into a new hobby....
 

Ratdog68

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Well done RD! I'm impressed with what your work with that sheath did to its overall appearance. It's night and day! Did you remove/replace the rivet as well or were you able to work around it easy enough?

The finish you've put on that blade is great. Damn nice project and a hell of a way to start into a new hobby....
Thank you. Did not remove the rivet, just worked around it... easy enough to do that.

The kit provided a polished blade. What I had to do was to try and match the polish while working the tang/spine/bolster. If I was making that sheath from scratch, I like gluing/stitching a piece of leather to the folded over belt loop portion before final assembly. Smooth leather just looks better on the outside of the sheath. Yeah, I know, it sits against you and isn't seen when worn... but when it's not on, the suede side just doesn't look as nice.

I wrapped the blade in painter's tape to keep from goobering up areas I didn't need/want to fuss with.
 

bldsmith

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The epoxy idea will leave a pretty glaring line. Some have used clear with some of the sawdust from the handle material and it looks OK. You will learn along the way the only good looking joint is a near perfect one. You just can't cover up a gap like that. But being your first and it being a kit knife, I would not worry too much about it. Chalk it up to a learning experience. Try to get closer on the next one.

I do not shape scales or drill pin holes until I have a perfect bolster scale fit up. This way you can go back and make slight adjustments if required. I do not have any examples as I do not do that many full tang blades. It makes assembly much easier.
 

Ratdog68

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Actually, the class presenter cut/drilled/glued... then handed it over and said, hands-on time. So, one works with what one has to work with. I'd've preferred to fit the scales to the bolster before drilling/gluing... c'est la vie. LOL
 

bldsmith

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AAHHH I see said the blind man. The class presenter should have done a better job. Oh well you will have a serviceable knife in the end. If you ever want to forge a blade let me know. I am not that far away. You would be welcome to come down and play for a couple days.
 

Ratdog68

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I appreciate the offer. I must admit, forging intrigues me. Do you do coal fired, or gas? Definitely a whole 'nuther animal from material reduction.

Been doing some homework on the material reduction side, and think I have a fair handle on the process. I'm looking forward to giving that a try. This project was my second step in exploring that path (leather working was my first step). One of those bucket list things after my father made me a knife.
 

Oso Grande

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AAHHH I see said the blind man. The class presenter should have done a better job. Oh well you will have a serviceable knife in the end. If you ever want to forge a blade let me know. I am not that far away. You would be welcome to come down and play for a couple days.
I'd definitely like to hear more about your process as well.
 

bldsmith

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I learned to forge on a coal forge. It is very dirty and expensive. Also very easy to destroy you work not paying attention for a few seconds.
I currently use a propane forge. I actually have 3. One blown forge and 2 atmospheric. I like forging steel, it is very therapeutic for me. I get to take out some frustrations and make something at the same time. I am presently working on an interesting but frustrating project. I am making a knife using some meteorite. But it is not working the way I want and will have to re-group tomorrow. I really like to make Damascus steel. It gives life to the blade rather than just a blank screen. There are an unlimited number of patterns than can be achieved. The only limit is your imagination.
If it is OK with the owners of the forum I would be happy to post a work in progress of me making a blade. I have one I did a couple years ago for a newspaper article.
OKCAUtility_Hunter_zpsec2ed291.jpg
 

FrankT

Destin FL
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Sure start your own topic to show and tell in, we, well most of all of us would find it interesting! That is what this General Knife area is for...you start it and we will follow
 

bldsmith

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Actually knifemaking got me into hog hunting. I had made a knife and posted it on one of the other forums. I got a PM asking if I would be interested in trading the knife for a 3 day Hog hunt. Well needless to say I went hog hunting for the first time in Tx. Since then I have found the 458Socom and other AR15's that I intend to take Sus eliminating some day. Life has too much of a tendency to get in the way.
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