| Project by vicrider | posted 04-21-2022 03:31 AM | 599 views | 1 time favorited | 13 comments |  |
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I have really enjoyed crafting these knives. I purchased the Tanto knife blank from Woodcrafters.com some years ago, and the fillet knife blank from usaknifemakers.com recently. Got asked to craft a gift, of any sort, and rummaged around in my ‘mebbe sometime’ locker. Hit on the big knife blank. I felt it wouldn’t do for the gift, but would give me practice for what I knew would be appropriate for this young man.
The Tanto was my first ever effort in knife crafting (I’m only adding to a very nicely and professionally made piece of steel; the actual knife making has to do with the metal). 5A Koa scales with ebony fillers, finished in hand-rubbed gloss poly. Since this was my first knife, naturally there are a couple small errors. So I probably get to keep it. The fillet knife is a gift for a favorite fisherman. Getting VERY hard to find this quality Koa anywhere.
The fillet knife was easier since I was able to dodge the errors in process and execution. Still a good amount of effort and care produced what I think is a fine beautiful tool. Epoxyed the pre-drilled ebony/koa scales. Installed brass pins Shaped with recip sander and files. Sanded to 300 grit and finished in beeswax and mineral oil. A simple finish but easily cleaned and refurb’d. I want him to use it.
In my research, I learned mostly that there are many, many knifemaker craftsmen, creating brilliant, beautiful, really sharp (in every sense), cutting, slicing, and dicing things. My efforts don’t hold a candle. If you’re interested just Google ‘knife making parts and materials’.
Having said all that, it was lots of fun, and whetted my apetite to do more and get better. I’ve ordered 3 more fillet knives.
Aloha from paradise,
Vicrider
-- vicrider
13 comments so far
Andre
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5292 posts in 3300 days
#1 posted 04-21-2022 04:36 AM
Some nice color and grain, the Koa I brought back from Oahu was all burl, finish was marbled, still have a little left:)
-- Lifting one end of the plank.
vicrider
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191 posts in 4393 days
#2 posted 04-21-2022 05:18 AM
Aloha Andre,
Yeah, I still have Koa I bought in ‘96. Takes a really great project to use Koa. There’s still some straight grain to be had but the luthiers buy up any highly figured boards (mostly cut very thin) at a steep premium. They craft super instruments with great skill and can command top money. There’s not much room for the little guy anymore. But I’m enjoying what I can get and of course, I live in paradise.
-- vicrider
recycle1943
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7080 posts in 3116 days
#3 posted 04-21-2022 12:14 PM
I am not a knife maker but I can’t see any problems with either knife. The scales look great with the pronounced curl.
Good job on both.
I was fortunate to have gathered some some curly Koa and made a few things. One was a ‘tool box’ for my own use https://www.lumberjocks.com/projects/422785
Finding nice Koa here in Ohio is a real trick
-- Dick, Malvern Ohio - my biggest fear is that when I die, my wife sells my toys for what I told her I paid for them
pottz
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26565 posts in 2479 days
#4 posted 04-21-2022 02:32 PM
those are both gorgeous.
-- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
therealSteveN
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10210 posts in 2068 days
#5 posted 04-21-2022 02:35 PM
Beauty knives, nice job.
-- Think safe, be safe
torus
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563 posts in 1907 days
#6 posted 04-21-2022 02:53 PM
Nice work!
The website for usaknifemaker.com is without ‘S’ in maker…
https://usaknifemaker.com/
-- "It's getting better..." - put this on my RIP stone!
bugradx2
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434 posts in 1514 days
#7 posted 04-21-2022 04:11 PM
they are beautiful. I love doing scales on knives, a great chance to show off the figure in a piece of wood on a small scale.
-- The only thing not measured in my shop is time
vicrider
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191 posts in 4393 days
#8 posted 04-21-2022 07:33 PM
Thanks everyone
-- vicrider
theoldfart
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13157 posts in 3945 days
#9 posted 04-21-2022 10:25 PM
Nice scale work vicrider. We just stayed near Kona last week. I bought some Koa from Aloha Hardwoods when we were there three years ago, it’s still in my stash. I’m going to put scales on a couple of Hock marking knives, hope mine come out. As well as yours.
-- "With every tool obtained, there is another that is needed" DonW ( Kevin )
SubVette
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210 posts in 3040 days
#10 posted 04-21-2022 11:13 PM
Nice choice in wood,I do like the brass pins. Never done a knife but you have me thinking now.
-- John in Florida
swirt
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#11 posted 04-23-2022 01:03 AM
Beautiful knives
-- Galootish log blog, http://www.timberframe-tools.com
AJ1104
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#12 posted 04-24-2022 01:06 AM
Nice knives! Great job selecting and building them. Great job!
-- AJ
dovetaildoc
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#13 posted 05-10-2022 01:49 PM
You’re welcome
-- Thanks,Mike
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