newbies first post and first knife

[bender]

this is my first post as I'm new to this forum, I've gotta say thanks to everyone for the wealth of informatoin on this site. I look at pictures and read posts for ideas and inspiration. although this knife isn't that great it was a fun learning experience and helped me hone my grinding skills. I actually just made this to test my homemade belt grinder to see if it would work properly, instead of buying good steel to practice on, I just used an old lawnmower blade which has the original temper.
it's oal is 10 3/4 inches and the handle scales are spalted yellow birch.the guards are unknown stainless from my scrap pile. any comments or criticisms are appreciated

[Coutel]

Wow...that looks excellant...I love the design and the finish looks superb.
If this knife was a learning experience then I look forward to seeing your future knives.

Kevin.

[whv]

welcome to ckdf, bender.
.
that looks pretty good for a first try, although i can't see enough of the fit from your pics. one suggestion would be to try to bring your primary grind line up the blade a bit.
.
show us some pics of your grinder if you get the chance over in tool time.
.
thanx

[Jamey Saunders]

Way to go, Jay! (Yes, I got your email! )

Looks really good for a first effort. The only thing I'd change is to move the grind line up the blade a little. Otherwise, I have to say "Very well done!"

[cactusforge]

That is quite a first knife, a good job, you did very well. Gib

[Don Cowles]

You oughta see mine! Yours is way better!

[Ramsey]

Good looking knife. That is one way for those lawn mower blades to keep on cutting. Also that is a great looking handle.Glad to see folks using castaway things to make good useful even collectable pieces. I changed-out a pair of blades off of my sister's lawn tractor the other day and I will probably forge them as they are the thickest blades I've ever seen for a lawn tractor. I walked one over to a grinder and did a quick spark test and it looked really good.

P.S. You might want to hang on to that knife so down the road a ways you won't regret having sold it.

Ramsey

[Raymond Richard]

Nice one! I don't imagine the steel is very hard but for a first knife its just fine. I've though about using an old blade in the past but could never figure out how to get around the mounting holes. I'd also like to see your grinder if you can post a picture of it. Your knives will only get better and there good now........

[bender]

hi guys,
thanks for all the compliments! I took a couple pics of my grinder today and posted them in the tool time forum, It's not nice to look at by any means, but it does grind steel!

[sixgun]

Could you post a pic of the grinder and maybe some tips on how to make one?
Very cool knife
Sixgun

[C.M. Arrington]

Great job ! I wish my first one looked that good. You've really got one there to show off.:cool:

[Jason Cutter]

Lawnmower blades can be, I hear, L-6, 5160 or 10-xx series (1075/1084). In any case its good steel. Most lawnmower blades are tempered for toughness so it'll be closer to a near spring temper ? 48-50HRC. Just a guess. It'll still take an edge and would be #### easy to sharpen. Overall, that is excellent work you've done on that knife. Nice shape, and frankly a lot of advanced stuff happening. The finish looks really nice too. Scrap-pile stainless is usually 303 or other 300-series stainless steel - that brushed finish is quite attractive.

You should be very proud. Keep it up. Must visit the tool shop section now ...

Cheers. Jason.

[ChrisChatelain]

that's incredible...I'm just nearing completion of my first REAL knife (as a kid I ground down old peices of..iron most likely.. into cool knife shapes, they never held edges though) and yours has inspired me to pay more attention to detail. gonna go back and work my grind lines a bit smoother. way to go...I cant belive thats your first!