Hi Doug, first off, not bad for one of your first forged blades. I know you mentioned this knife is sold, but if you can in the future reacquire it I would do so so you have your first, for show, for reference, for inspiration! I'm no Mastersmith by any means, but I thought I'd throw out my two cent's worth out. First, you said your using a gas forge, and by looking at the blade it looks like maybe your adjusting way to much oxygen into the fuel mix and your possible forging to hot, you didn't mention the type of burner you have. I mentioned this because it looks like you have possibly forged scale back into the blade and adjusting and controlling the fuel/air mix can cut down the scale formation plus knowing your temperature ranges for the steel your forging will all make a difference, and it's all very controllable. I love the guard, very well done, and I like the handle material, even the leather, but the leather added extra length that makes it look a bit long for the blade. Handle design is good as well, but maybe would look better if it was more streamlined with the back of the blade, they handle better and it's easier to control the blade point as a natural extension of your hand and arm in use. You mentioned your plunge cut, which looks okay, and will get better and sharper with practice. A majority of knife makers like those really straight, really sharp, plunge cuts. I've never been a big fan of those myself and I prefer a more organic blended transaction, (just looks smoother and stronger but that's just me), you have to find what floats your own boat. Your on a good road with a lot of learning curves, but a good road!!!

A good anvil will definitely help as opposed to a RR anvil, and hammer control will come with time and practice. Hammer control inspiration can be heightened when one get's a nice new anvil as those dings in the anvil face really suck,lol.

thank you so much for all the feedback Wes. You're absolutely correct about the air/fuel mixture of the forge I'm still trying to get it dialed in and figure it out. Its a single burner and it was made by a blacksmith locally. I don't know much more about it than that. Good call on the handle length with the leather spacers I realized I was in trouble if I started assembling it but you have a good idea catch it. As far as the top of the handle matching the knife spine better I really struggle with that. I don't know if it is in my sequence of the build or if I just don't have the right nothing is bring in the top of the handle down but I ran into a problem because the guard is already mounted I could only get so far in there. Lots to learn and lots to digest in your post. But I very much appreciate you taking the time to type it all out give me some tips for the future.

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Hi Doug, first off, not bad for one of your first forged blades. I know you mentioned this knife is sold, but if you can in the future reacquire it I would do so so you have your first, for show, for reference, for inspiration! I'm no Mastersmith by any means, but I thought I'd throw out my two cent's worth out. First, you said your using a gas forge, and by looking at the blade it looks like maybe your adjusting way to much oxygen into the fuel mix and your possible forging to hot, you didn't mention the type of burner you have. I mentioned this because it looks like you have possibly forged scale back into the blade and adjusting and controlling the fuel/air mix can cut down the scale formation plus knowing your temperature ranges for the steel your forging will all make a difference, and it's all very controllable. I love the guard, very well done, and I like the handle material, even the leather, but the leather added extra length that makes it look a bit long for the blade. Handle design is good as well, but maybe would look better if it was more streamlined with the back of the blade, they handle better and it's easier to control the blade point as a natural extension of your hand and arm in use. You mentioned your plunge cut, which looks okay, and will get better and sharper with practice. A majority of knife makers like those really straight, really sharp, plunge cuts. I've never been a big fan of those myself and I prefer a more organic blended transaction, (just looks smoother and stronger but that's just me), you have to find what floats your own boat. Your on a good road with a lot of learning curves, but a good road!!!

A good anvil will definitely help as opposed to a RR anvil, and hammer control will come with time and practice. Hammer control inspiration can be heightened when one get's a nice new anvil as those dings in the anvil face really suck,lol.

Doug,

As Wes says, it's not bad for your first attempt at forging.

You will have to make a few to recognize the issues and eliminate the problems from your process. This will take time at the forge and the grinder. There's no way around it. This will give you the hand eye coordination to skillfully make the object.

Often overlooked is the training or calibration of your "eye". You will need to observe beauty in different forms and learn to study what it is that makes something beautiful to you. Try to put it in words. Try to quantify it if possible so you can imitate it. I start this process on paper. I believe this will save time and help visualize in a way not possible by other means.

Also look at other maker's work who you know you like and it will imprint on your mind. Eventually, these things will serve to guide your taste and influence your style. This will allow you to create.

I don't think I can add anything of value to what has already been said, at least not as a critique of your knife. I can however welcome you to the wonderfully addictive world of being a blade smith, the ABS forum, and thank you for sharing your work. It takes a bit of courage to post photos up here for the world to see and criticize, and I appreciate everyone who does so. Oh and BTW, nice job on that one. For your first solo go at it, you have done pretty well. I like the shape of both the blade and handle.

Thanks Lin! I appreciate the feedback and your insight.

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Doug,

As Wes says, it's not bad for your first attempt at forging.

You will have to make a few to recognize the issues and eliminate the problems from your process. This will take time at the forge and the grinder. There's no way around it. This will give you the hand eye coordination to skillfully make the object.

Often overlooked is the training or calibration of your "eye". You will need to observe beauty in different forms and learn to study what it is that makes something beautiful to you. Try to put it in words. Try to quantify it if possible so you can imitate it. I start this process on paper. I believe this will save time and help visualize in a way not possible by other means.

Also look at other maker's work who you know you like and it will imprint on your mind. Eventually, these things will serve to guide your taste and influence your style. This will allow you to create.

Thanks Joshua for the feedback and the warm welcome. I appreciate it very much.

|quoted:

I don't think I can add anything of value to what has already been said, at least not as a critique of your knife. I can however welcome you to the wonderfully addictive world of being a blade smith, the ABS forum, and thank you for sharing your work. It takes a bit of courage to post photos up here for the world to see and criticize, and I appreciate everyone who does so. Oh and BTW, nice job on that one. For your first solo go at it, you have done pretty well. I like the shape of both the blade and handle.