My first grind (so far)

So here's my very first grind! This is haarrrrrrrrrrrrddd!!! Holy crap. I make a lot of random things, and this was by far the most challenging. I've admired the craftsmanship of all these knives I've spent the last few months staring at.. but this just put all of that into a whole new perspective.

I got a little hot spot on the tip, and I had a hell of time keeping that bit of meat along the edge. I'm going to reprofile the handle a bit thinner I think too. Still lots to do yet. This is O1.

 

Looks good man !!! Congrats on your first .... If I can add my 2 bits just make your first one as simple as possible , don't get attached to it and go use it and abuse and let us know how it performs, again good job man !!

Rob

 

Good job Mark....looks like you grabbed the bull by the horns on this one with the hollow grind. Take it from me if you started with a hollow grind consider the flat grinding a walk in the park in comparison!!!

 

First grind looks great. Knife design is also very appealing. You defiantly got skills

 

Mad skills for a first grind.

 

Wow nice job first knife or not. Grinds look very close to even and centered. You're a real natural. Look forward to seeing some very nice work.

 

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it! I'll keep you posted how this one goes

 

I heat treated the blade yesterday, and I'm really happy with this finish! I added wood chips as it was heating in the forge and used some old black diesel oil I had in a jug from blackening other non knife related projects I used to do (custom tattoo machine frames actually) and I always gave them a antiqued look.. I just wasn't sure what to expect on the blade. But I'm lovin it, I'm not really one for shiney. So,.. thoughts? I know theres a lot of polisher guys, does this look ok? lazy? haha

before tempering



Tempered and sanded

 

I actually like that finish. Looks like a controlled etch/stonewash. My only concern would be that the outside layer will be decarb and may need to be taken off. Typically after ht there is a few thou that is decarbed on the entire surface and needs to be ground off because it's had the carbon cooked out.

 

soak it over night in Vinegar to decarb , you'll still have the antiquey worn look but the carb should be gone , this is a great test piece for ya Mark , awesome !! :thumb:

or hit it with a light sand and finish with some steel wool.................

 

I get what you are saying rob. I was meaning more along the lines of the actual outer jacket of decarbed soft steel rather than the scale I believe you are talking about. It really shouldn't cause a lot of issues overall provided you get the edge back far enough to get past the damaged skin and into good steel when doing your sharpening.

 

That grind is mint! I have never pulled off such a nice grind. As far as the finish goes I like it, but from what I can see and what I have experienced I am pretty sure you have over heated the steel and could have large grain. The only way to tell would be to bust it and see.

 

Thanks guys, I've been picking away at it still and have the handle on it, I'll take pictures tomorrow. Can I soak it with the handle on it? What issues does large grain cause, I didnt know you could over heat the steel.. crap haha

 

Large grain size can cause a few issues. One is a brittle blade due to fewer grains in a given area and more stress at the grain boundaries. The second issue is with potential edge fineness and edge retention. Large grain typically doesn't allow as fine of an edge on a microscopic level, and larger grain may tend to chip out at the edge a bit easier than a fine grain. That being said, significant grain growth shouldn't be an issue until your temp hits about 1650 or higher. Grain size can also be reduced by normalizing cycles with decreasing temps.

 

Thanks for all the comments and info, very much appreciated I've learned a lot one just this one knife

Here is the finished knife I gave to my girlfriends dad, don't be shy I'd really like to know what you guys think! You wont hurt my feelings, only help me improve

 

Looks great Mark , did you go with coco bolo handle ?

 

very impressive!!!

 

Thanks guys!