New sharp thing

[Toots]

Thought I would share some pictures of my new knife (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i217/riktoothill/DSCN1130.jpg) , made from a kit from Shing. O1 toolsteel blade with red spacers and walnut. Leather to make the sheath came with the kit too and I am very happy with how it turned out, given that my leatherwork skill previously ran to putting another hole in a belt!! Am planing to use some Hydrophane leather dressing to finish it as I quite like the idea of a paler colour for this one.

As for the blade I was very impressed with the grind and very little time was spent with a wetstone and strop to get a hair popping edge (same on my Woody took a lot longer!). The handle was shaped to fit (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i217/riktoothill/DSCN1131.jpg) comfortably with nothing more than a second cut file and sandpaper, finished with danish oil.

I am looking forward to giving it a workout in the woods asap, hopefully making another drinking vessel of some kind. Would not hesitate to recommend Shingcrafts (http://www.shingcrafts.co.uk) to anyone. (Other knife kits are,of course, available!)

Comments always welcome but I am well chuffed with it!

[ArkAngel]

Yeah i very much like the look of Shings work.

I have a feeling i could be ordering one of his kits to give me something to do on long cold winter evenings in front of my open fire!
Reckon it could be the wifws x-mas pressie to me!

[richardnhunt]

The knife looks wonderful. Where abouts did you get the kit from?

Rich

[Shing]

You done a nice job with the kit Toots, well done.

[beowolf762]

Great job Toots, :You_Rock_
You shaped the handle well, but your wood is still thirsty. It needs more oil. If you look at the overhead shot of the knife, you can see pale spots where the oil did not penetrate into the wood. Keep applying very thin coats of oil until ALL the grain is filled. This could take many coats. Walnut, esspecially Black Walnut has very large pores compared to some other woods.

When all the grain is filled the walnut will be as smooth as polished bone and the grain of the wood will really show nicely and look three miles deep.

Rub into the wood a thin coat of oil. Let dry for however long the directions on your oil say. Rub with 0000 steel wool until all the oil on the surface of the wood is gone. (oil on the surface will look cloudy and is easy to see if you look at the handle in good light at a low angle). This is how I finish walnut gunstocks and furniture.

You are about half way to a finish that most custom knifemakers achieve. Keep at it, you will be well pleased with the extra effort.

Again you did a great job.

[sionnach]

I'm using the same kit. Yours looks really good.
I've just given my handle another going over with the abrasives to get it a bit more curvy than that... hope it works!
P

[jamesoconnor]

looks like a great piece of kit there. lovely knife.

[Toots]

Cheers Beowolf. More danish oil coming up!!

[bushwacker bob]

I leave new handles soaking in a bath of Danish oil for 24 hours,then wipe it off and leave it to dry.