Well I had a long introduction explaining how I came to make this knife and how I've always preferred to at least try and make things the old or hard way just to experience it and how something you've put blood, sweat, and tears in means more than something that you just cranked out using modern tools in a few minute or better yet just buy it off amazon. Anyway when I tried to upload the pictures it locked up and deleted all of it so I'm starting over. I'll add the images another way, mods if this isn't ok just let me know and I can change it. Long story short I was between jobs last February and broke and couldn't afford a good carving knife so I decided to make my own. I also listed my hobbies: Rock climbing, skydiving, hunting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, camping, wilderness survival, woodworking, metalworking, computers, etc. (I'm basically into a little bit of everything, half tech nerd half old school.)
I started with a HSS (high speed steel) hacksaw blade for the blade since I had some laying around that I use to make lockpicks with (one of my other hobbies.) I drew the blade shape that I wanted on it and then used my dremel to cut out the blade then used various grades of sandpaper till I ended up with a mirror finish and then I ground the initial shape of the blade. Then cut some willow to make the handle and split it to carve a recess for the blade and then glued it back together to shape the handle. Next I tried burning my initials into the handle with a magnifying glass but it's been so many years since I'd done it that I screwed it up so I just left it for decoration. Then I applied a cherry stain and a few coats of satin finish. Then glued that blade in and sharpened it. My first project with it was a spoon made from willow that started as a chunk that was about as big around as a coke can and just a little longer than one.
Without the stain:
15_zps5e787156.jpg
Well I guess I'll try and add the rest of the pictures in later posts... I've tried to do this post about 5 times and have lost my whole post twice and haven't been able to post pics for a plethora of reasons. I'm starting to think this post wasn't meant to be.



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