Not finished yet, I'm planning on sanding out the rest of the marks in the wood and adding a superglue coat to seal it, as well as another pin for the tang (my bits are acting up). The wood and liners are from Hloh; finally got around to using them. The steel is forged from a file and I forget what type the wood is. It's stick tang but I tried a new way of fixture as you can see from the WIP photo.
Sorry the WIP photo didn't attach I'll have to edit it later
Hi Caleb,
It looks as if you are on your way to being a bladesmith. I wish that I would have gotten my start when I was your age.
Here are a couple of thoughts that I often will pass on to aspiring bladesmiths:
One--Always use the best materials possible. I'm sure that you are working with a limited budget on this one but there are definite advantages to using a new piece of steel and the cost isn't that high, especially compared with the labor involved in making a knife. I would recommend using either 1084 or 5160 steel as each is very forgiving and easier to learn on than most.
Two--Attend as many hammer-ins or shop tours as possible as most knife makers are very willing to share and it will cut down the time needed to learn knife making considerably. Bring some of your work with you and ask for critiques. This is always helpful in learning what you are doing right (or wrong).
Keep up the good work & all my best.
Gary
As Gary said, I wish I had gotten started as young as you. You are doing a fine job. Just keep on making one after another and try to make at least one improvement on each successive knife. I look forward to meeting you. Lin
Thank you very much! I hope to be attending the California hammer in this October.
