Well I figured after getting fed up with a cheap knife made for cutting leather and numerous X-Acto blades it was time I broke down and made a decent knife (not great) but useable. It is sort of loosely based on a Japanese Kiridashi which had the thin angled blade I thought would work best. The spacer moved as I was gluing up and normally would be torn apart and redone but in reality I am not sure I will like the handle so I am running with it for now. Even tried my first free hand grinding on this knife since it was small and if I really messed up I could stick in the jig and straighten stuff out. Actually make a good little project knife for beginner knife makers and serves as a practical tool when completed. Lacewood handle with G10 spacer and pommel done with a hidden tang for practice. Blade is AEB-L 1/16" scrap I had on hand. Black marks on blade are results of the anti-scaling paint not providing any protection and that is what is left of the decarbed layer after far to much grinding and sanding.
Ohh yea it cuts and much nicer than an X-Acto blade. Wide area helps with straight cuts and the thinner portion hugs the curves, wishing I had made one much sooner. Best part is a knife like this can be made out of any old scraps cut off a larger knife so free materials in a sense. Will have to eventually clean up the sanding marks so it is not so rough looking. Oh lace wood is from Bobby Bird I believe and stabilized.
Looks pretty serviceable to me. Good on ya, John. By the way, that's a nice looking piece of wood the knife is sitting on. Future knife handles, maybe? Jim T
I have a few pieces stabilized for handles a couple of clear that are in that knife and a pair of red as well as blue. They came out kind of interesting and will be on the shelf until I get a couple bird & trout knives done then will be used to make a matching set in a manner of speaking
I just started to use a Japanese style leather knife. Incredible difference in cut and control. Mine has the traditional straight scraper style blade but a can see where a slightly point version would be very helpful for certain cuts. So if you ever bored and have a bit of scrap laying around...
I have a half dozen trays just for offcuts and there will be some pieces of 1/16" AEB-L in the near future.
Maybe we can work something this out then when a piece becomes available. Based on how I use the knife I have now, I have some ideas on how to optimize control and ease of use.
I have a piece that might be enough, will measure it up and post a picture with mine and a ruler for comparison
