Just finished my 2nd one

[Mark Van Loon]

This is my second completed knife. Steel is 1084, clay coated and water quenched, hand rubbed finish. Guard is nickel silver, spacer is water buffalo, handle is bocote with an oil finish, loveless style fasteners.
A little better picture of the hamon
another
Last one
Please post any comments and especially critiques, i still made a lot of mistakes on this one but i think its a little better than my first. everyone here has helped alot with information, and tips. special thanks to Terry Primos for the solderless guard tutorial, and to Bruce Bump for all his tutorials.

[nozh2002]

It does not look like secod! Unbelivable! Great knife!
I like sub hilt and the end of the handle, but I get used to make it belly in between - to make the grip more solid.
Thanks, Vassili.

[penguinva]

Great knife Mark! You're really coming along - got some great mentors there in Bruce and Terry. Keep it up - can't wait to see your next one!

Vassili,
That is not a sub-hilt - that is a single-finger groove in the handle - a sub-hilt is totally another ballgame. A sub-hilt is a separate guard that is inserted between sections of the handle - larger than a finger-groove which is what this knife has.

Bill

[nozh2002]

Thanks Bill. I'll use correct term from now. It's kind of unusual for western knives. This why I like to see this in this beautifull knife made by Mark.
Thanks, Vassili.

[Roger Gregory]

Too good for a second knife. Imagine what we're going to expect from your third and fourth

Nice blade shape, looks deep enough for slicing, especially with enough belly for a long cut. That hamon shows up well. Show us more please!

Roger

[whv]

nice job, mark. good hamon, great fit/finish.
thanx

[Jason Cutter]

What everyone said. Super result. And love that hamon. Are U using that method we talked about ? A very sweet using design for sure. Looks like you've got it down pat. Jason.

[Mark Van Loon]

Jason, i used the same method i did for my first knife, satanite wash on the entire blade, then furnace cement on the softer area, hand rubbed to 2000 grit then etched with white vinegar and dishsoap. this one was heat treated before we exchanged e-mails, but ive got 2 more ready for heat treat and will be trying the method we discussed on one of them for sure.