Everyone has to start somewhere.

[prairie dog]

I purchased David Boye's book Step-by-Step Knifemaking about 1980 and told myself "one day I'm going to start making my own knifes."

We all know that any journey begins with the first step.  I decided to start with baby steps so I bought some blades to make handles for.  I figure I will concentrate on handles until I get that down, then try adding bolsters and finger guards before I  attempt to make my own blades.

These are the Green River blades I chose.


Here is my first attempt.  I chose walnut for the slabs.





I also picked up these Old Hickory knives.  I think I may be able to re-work them a bit and make them look a little more PC for my buck skinning camp.


My eldest son is starting to learn blacksmithing and forging.  I told him to forge some blades for me to finish out.  He is as excited as I am to work together and produce some hand forged tools and knives.  This should be fun!

[Gordon H.Kemp]

Sounds and looks like you and your son will do well. I,ve reworked a few "old hickory" blades and they have some good steel. Keep the photos comming !

[Bigsmoke]

I have always been a big fan of the RGR knives.  IMO, one of the best knife series ever offered.  Years ago, as a RDV trader, I used to sell a bushel basket full of them.
Now, if you were to take all the RGR knives out of my kitchen, there wouldn't be much left.
I do like your treatment of the paring knife.  The walnut scales look good.  What did you do with the Pacific Pattern Knife?  Those make a pretty good patch knife.
John

[lonehunter]

Nice job for your first.
Be careful, it is very habit forming!

[prairie dog]

I haven't done the Pacific paring knife yet, thinking maple on it.

[Roaddog]

You sure are on the rite road, I can see your taking your time and doing a good job.Keep up the good work.

[prairie dog]

Finished my patch knife tonight.

[ridjrunr]

very nice ! what stain and finish did you use?

[prairie dog]

LMF maple stain and Formby's Tung oil.

[Swamp]

Beautiful PD!!!!!!  

[sse]

That curly maple looks pretty good...

[Riley/MN]

Nice job p.d.!

[Uncle Russ]

FWIW: I made that same Pacific RGR knife many years ago.
It started out life as a Patch Knife and it worked just fine in that role, but it somehow ended up on my work bench and, for the last several years, my bench is totally naked without that little knife.

That is, without a doubt, my go to blade.
It's uses are unlimited, and it has a size that is just plain hard to beat.
Hardly anybody stops by the shop without asking about that little knife. I have no idea what the composition of the metal is, but it seems to stay sharp as long, maybe even longer, than any knife I've ever had and I cut some pretty bad stuff with it, sometimes....for one thing, I'm terrible about stripping wire with a knife,  especially when I know that knife is sharp.

Good job, PD
And, a good thought about saving those Old Hickory knives. They've been around awhile, and they are just as good today as they were years ago.

Uncle Russ...

[rickevans]

That is a nice knife there.  You can go ahead and boast on it.

[Bigsmoke]

I like it.
Jobs well done and time well spent.
John