What's your latest knife project

Paul (opaul) at OPB knives is one of the best knife makers in NC. I have several of his blades and they are all top quality. He a greatl friend and true Patriot also.
 
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pirate said:
Paul (opaul) at OPB knives is one of the best knife makers in NC. I have several of his blades and they are all top quality. He a greatl friend and true Patriot also.
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That’s very kind of you Pirate. As with anything knife making is a journey not a destination with improvements and opportunities along the way. Attached is a photo of one of my early knives and a couple made recently 8E3E4CBE-C38C-48BD-89F6-8EEECBF3E800.jpegFFA184E5-14C5-4231-9DAF-C2266233A976.jpegD088B2A5-C3B5-4FEE-96F9-383AC7420A1A.jpeg
 
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@opaul, the workmanship is evident in all your creations, I can see the strides you are making with each new one and my favorites have always been the drop points. I do not know how to call their names but would like to have access to a catalog of your selections if there is such a thing and to all those who did, thanks for posting the photos!!!!!
 
Bulldog said:
@opaul, the workmanship is evident in all your creations, I can see the strides you are making with each new one and my favorites have always been the drop points. I do not know how to call their names but would like to have access to a catalog of your selections if there is such a thing and to all those who did, thanks for posting the photos!!!!!
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If you have Facebook I’m on as knives@opbknives. If not I can email you photos. Just let me know.
Thank you for the kind words👍
 
I wish I had the set-up to make knives - looks like it would be right up my alley.

An acquaintance, Jason Luhmer (LUMA BLADES) made this one-off for me as a gift to my nephew. My only instruction was, "It's for a young, Marine Grunt officer," and, "a KABAR is too big/bulky."

This is what he came up with. Picked it up in his shop (nearby) - and it was PERFECT. I've bought 4 or 5 other blades from Jason when he was starting off - now I can't afford his stuff!!


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Dan0311 said:
I wish I had the set-up to make knives - looks like it would be right up my alley.

An acquaintance, Jason Luhmer (LUMA BLADES) made this one-off for me as a gift to my nephew. My only instruction was, "It's for a young, Marine Grunt officer," and, "a KABAR is too big/bulky."

This is what he came up with. Picked it up in his shop (nearby) - and it was PERFECT. I've bought 4 or 5 other blades from Jason when he was starting off - now I can't afford his stuff!!


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Beautiful work! If you get a chance google Walter Sorrells on YouTube. He has instructions on making basic knives with hand tools.
 
opaul said:
Beautiful work! If you get a chance google Walter Sorrells on YouTube. He has instructions on making basic knives with hand tools.
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I really loved the show Forged In Fire. Three episodes were partially filmed at the range I ran and was incredibly interesting to watch them making it.

Making knives seems pretty involved and requiring certain tools/areas, etc. that I'm probably not willing to get into right now......
 
After seeing the awesome San mai @opaul has made, I decided to dredge this one back up. I’m getting some lessons from a buddy and with his creativity I’ve made some good progress on my first fixed blade. Lucky for me I get to use all his equipment, makes it a ton easier. Made with AEBL. While I’m waiting to do some finishing work on this one, he’s helping me (mostly telling me how not to fail) at making a slipjoint. I can post some progress on it later
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Desron23 said:
After seeing the awesome San mai @opaul has made, I decided to dredge this one back up. I’m getting some lessons from a buddy and with his creativity I’ve made some good progress on my first fixed blade. Lucky for me I get to use all his equipment, makes it a ton easier. Made with AEBL. While I’m waiting to do some finishing work on this one, he’s helping me (mostly telling me how not to fail) at making a slipjoint. I can post some progress on it later
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That looks really good. He is a good friend indeed and a great instructor. The plunge looks great and the ricasso is clean. Great fit and finish on the tang, liner and scale fit up. Looks like you are well on your way.
 
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opaul said:
That looks really good. He is a good friend indeed and a great instructor. The plunge looks great and the ricasso is clean. Great fit and finish on the tang, liner and scale fit up. Looks like you are well on your way.
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He took great steps to make sure I was very very careful and kept an eye on me while I was grinding away there. I appreciate the compliment, hopefully they keep going relatively smoothly.
he tells me that a nice grinder and some patience can make a world of difference, especially when you're new
 
Desron23 said:
He took great steps to make sure I was very very careful and kept an eye on me while I was grinding away there. I appreciate the compliment, hopefully they keep going relatively smoothly.
he tells me that a nice grinder and some patience can make a world of difference, especially when you're new
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Great advise. I started with a 1”x36” grinder. I should have saved my $ towards a quality 2x72 like the TW90. Your knife is much better than my first ones.
 
opaul said:
Great advise. I started with a 1”x36” grinder. I should have saved my $ towards a quality 2x72 like the TW90. Your knife is much better than my first ones.
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I appreciate it!
Hopefully I'll get my knives looking like yours some day
 
Last night I got the scales built and bevel started on 120 grit for my first slipjoint. I’ve got some special maple which was given to me to experiment with, and I’m happy with how it looks.

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opaul said:
Looking forward to seeing this build!
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I'll keep you posted, I'm hoping to have the scales fit and maybe up the grits on the bevel if I have time tonight
 
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This weekend for anyone who's interested.
@cubrock
In Spruce Pine, NC
 
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Would love to make it sometime. Thanks for sharing.
 
While I have made a couple knives myself I just don't ever have the time to forge with everything else my day to day requires. But I do enjoy finishing and building knives. I met a guy in Tennessee several years ago who I get alot of blanks from then I get the enjoyment of finish work. I do some sheathes for him and in return I get blanks to play with. Here's the most recent I put together and finished. It's a big bowie 12 inch blade 16 inches overall. Guard was made from brass bar stock, handle was made from some old hardwood flooring dyed and laminated and custom sheath I made to add a little extra western flair. 20230224_144225.jpg20230224_144126.jpg
 
Bought blade, large (10") and heavy seax, this one is a WIP.

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