Well hows this look for my first attempt at knife making? Long boring story behind this 10yr project. I'm intersted in hearing you're opinions though.

I would like to thank a fellow Tradganger for sending the antler to me for free so I could finish the handle. I wont say who because I didn't ask him first. But the generosity around here astounds me.

Rick

 
 
 

very cool  ........ did ya make the sheath too ?????

CG,
What did you use for the blade material? How did you get the non-glare finish on the blade? Beadblasted?  Nice job! Tell us a more about how you made it.

Terry

Beautiful.  Please tell us more.

That's a beauty right there! I love the ricasso onthe blade, the way it continues round the spine. It must have been a swine to grind!

Thats very "clean" lookin the way that ridge blends with the handle and blade. Excellent sheath too! Good job on the first. Would like to see more!

Ok, that is so cool.I love the blade design. My wife even said its the best looking knife that she has ever seen. I really like the sheath to. Well, is it for sale?? LOL

it's awesome.  please tell us how you made it.

It's a Masterpiece, simply Beautiful

real nice knife,great job!

Well if that's your first knife, you don't fool around!  Looks like you've been at it a long time.
Great looking knife and sheath.

THAT is a COOL KNIFE!!!... ...Great sheath too!!!...Can see what you mean about a ten year project... ...

I am blown away - words fail. Everything (as stated by others) blends so beautifully, including the use of the "Buff Nickle" ornament (I love them).

Yea what they all said!

WOWZER!!! THAT IS ONE GREAT LOOKING BLADE RIGHT THERE.YOU DID A FANTASTIC JOB ON THIS KNIFE. NOT TO MENTION THE SHEATH YA DID IS JUST AWESOME. CONGRATS ON A JOB WELL DONE. <><

Simply beautiful!!!! That blade design is awsome!!! Well done!!!

I wish I could take credit for the sheath but I did have that made.

I started this knife about 10yrs ago while working in an aircraft sheetmetal shop. It was made from a large file and I seem to remember tempering the steel to a rockwell hardness of RC-59. It was designed and brought to life during my breaks and 30 minute lunches at work.

About the time I had finished the initial shaping of the blade, this company I worked for announced they were closing their doors. When I made the move to the new job I also moved to a new house and the knife blade was packed away.

As luck would have it my wife and I purchased a new house and while we were waiting for the construction to be completed we decided to do some pre-storage clean up. As i was going through one of the boxes I found this blade I had started making nearly 10 years earlier.  

I started searching for deer antler to make the handle as none of what I had was suitable in size or shape. I  inquired of one of the ads here on TG about a couple of pieces from a larger lot that was for sale in the classifieds and was told he didn't want sell just a couple of pieces but he would instead just give them to me at no charge.(Great people here).

Antler pieces in hand I went to work. The handle was split and areas relieved for the blade to fit, I then installed two 5/32 stainless hidden pins and epoxy to secure the handle. I also bead blasted the blade in two stages first satge was a med/hvy grit and the final was a very fine glass beading material. I have to say I was pretty happy with the results.

Thanks for all the positive feedback folks and I'm glad you like it.

Rick

Very nice!

Robert

SWEET!

The blade shape and antler shape combine in a synergy to be admired for years to come by artists and hunters alike. The shape is thoroughly modern, and the materials give an honoring look to the past as well as a pragmatic view to its intended use. You should be very proud to have created this knife as your first.

Killdeer