I want to say thanks for all the advice given.
I bought a blade and decided I would try to make a patch knife. I finished it up and have photos below. I would like to hear what you think I need to work on to make it look better. (I can take better pictures if you want to see some close ups).
I noticed in the pictures that the blade looks like it should be seated closer to the antler. I didn't notice that until I was done. In fact, the picture seems to exagerate the distance, but it still looks like it should be closer.
The antler had a brow tine on it, so I removed it as it seemed to be in the way. I tried to carve a deer track where the tine used to be, but I don't know if I really like it or not. Any suggestions on how I can do a better job carving the antler. I'm not real artistic and used a dremal tool.
I have no leather making skills at all and just put something together.
Anyway, if you have any advice I would appreciate it. Don't worry about being nice, I have pretty thick skin. If you don't like it, say so. I would rather have an honest opinion than false praise.
Anyway, thanks for looking.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/Hood2/knifeB.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/Hood2/knifeA.jpg)
Looks nice! Make another, the more you make the better you will get. :) Thats the thing about knifemaking, you will always find something that you could have done different or better.
The blade should be in the antler all the way. Other then that it looks great.<><
Heck no way....I like it I think thats one heck of a good looking knife there.bowdoc
The more I look at it the more Ithink it is
fine the way it is,I can't really tell about
the carving
Only criticism I'd make is the same as Frank. There shouldn't be a gap betweenthe blade & the bolster. Seat the handle a little further up the tang & you'd be great!
Looks pretty good except for what you yourself pointed out,Very nice handle.
Thanks Guys,
I was really disappointed when I noticed the blade wasn't seated correctly. I had drilled far enough in the antler, but I wanted to make a tight fit with the finger guard. I needed to tap it down further and didn't even realize it until afterwards. Oh well.