Both you guys have great looking designs.

man i wish i had the tools to make knives

Well, I'm kinda ticked at myself! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

I decided not to re-temper the knife, since it'd be a 50/50 chance of whether it would be a good thing or not, and went straight to grinding the blade to an edge.

I was doing really well and almost finished, until stupid clutz that I am, I caught the side of my finger against the belt! Didn't really hurt me too much, but was enough to startle me, and cause me to drop the knife! Sure enough, it hit the garage floor at just the right angle, and broke the tip off! Aaaarrrgghhh! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Man, I was so angry at myself!

So, I started back at zero, and did my best to fix the tip. I also attempted to put one of those "fizzstick edges" (A secondary edge), that I've seen Horndog and a couple others make on their knives, but it didn't turn out as well as theirs did.

There's absolutely no sun out on this miserable day, so you can't really see how shiny the finish is. Oh well, here's the pics: be kind. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Definitely shiny, I especially like that handle shape!
Should be a good knife for minor bush work.

Man, that sucks about the tip. But, better to find out this way and not after you were finished with it.

I still like the design. Are you going to re-heat treat it when finished?

Dang, sorry to hear about the tip. I have done that exact same thing - got my finger in the side of the belt...put a gash in my finger and bled for a while. It's like a paper cut, but with sand paper spinning real fast. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> The other thing to watch out for is hitting part of the blade or handle on the edge of the belt - it will gash the steel and can be difficult to impossible to fix <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> But we learn and with enough practice these things will happen less and less. I definitely think the plunge is the toughest part and i will be getting a file jig for my next one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Looks good though so far. Keep posting your progress and I will as well. I'm working on the handles now...

Oh lucky day! Just got off the phone with the folks back on the East Coast. Apparently, one of my cousins is clearing a part of his property to finally build a house on (The guy finally got married at 39!) On the lot is a mixture of Oak, Cherry, and Walnut! WooHoo! He's gonna cut some prime heartwood from several of the trees and put it aside for me, on the condition that I sharpen his hunting knives for him when I come down for the wood! What a deal!

It doesn't help with my current knife, but am I happy about my choices for future knife projects! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I think I'll do the happy dance!

Looks good tyger75 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> good you didn´t hurt yourself bad <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Never seen a "fizzsticks"edge before

That is great news on the wood from the cousin. What area is our cousin in?

He lives just outside of Saint John, New Brunswick, in a little area called Quispamsis (Pronounce the "Quis" like "Kiss" with a "Q"). HE owns about 11 acres out there, and is clearing about 1/2 acre of the front to put the house on.

Tyger, is it old growth walnut? I bet you will get some beautiful and unusual walnut, some great tight oak and the cherry will be deep. I envy you on this score!

It's a lot of land that was left to him by his step-father, who got it from his father; allegedly has never been touched by human hands for anything other than hunting. So, very good chance these trees are at least 50 years old.