The past few weeks I've had an interesting time.
It started with the video - "how to sharpen ya knives".
and finished with... oh... that's what makes a good knife, I'll go and buy one (and it was $^!t) it wouldn't hold an edge, it would flex, it was difficult for my 'big hands' to hold... so I thought I'll go and make one... how hard can it be!
Turns out there are lots more resources near me for knife making than leather working! - so I thought I might share my proud work.
Knife#
1 - A lathe parting blank just plain HSS tool steel. it was like $10AUD - it chips way to easily! - so I moved on.
4 n 5 - Damascus Steel, with a tempered core. so I wanted these to be a skiving knife, but I missed the important part. The CORE is tempered! - so when I put a skiving shape it would never stay sharp for too long. they are now by day to day cutting knives. (and are nice to hold, although I wish I had made the a little longer, but they are good for me).
2 n 3 - ABE-L steel and I could get the bland pre-tempered, now this stuff is GREAT. These are 'fun' to sharpen, but once they are sharp they will cut a politicians idea.
Now I have a proper stropping board, some great knives, and already when I cut from a template the results are nicer, the curves are smoother, it’s more comfortable. Oh and I had an accident along the way, I know how to sharpen a knife now! I NEVER thought a good knife could make SO much of a difference.
Onward now onward to making a sunglasses case! - woohoo!
Nice work Steve. It's fun to make your own tools and you often end up with something that fits like a glove. Thank you for sharing.