I just finished this up. It's gonna go to my Mother in law for Christmas.

440C blades,nickle silver pins & corby bolts,and the wood used is called Eppi. It is very dense tight grained hardwood that takes a beating ,it should hold up good.

I think this will make a nice personalized (by me) gift
What do you think ?

Vince,

That is an absolutely beautiful set. Very nicely done.

Dale

Thanks Dale I figure with those blades ,all tasks should be covered

Indeed, should get all the jobs done nicely.

As an aside, considering that on here there is significant discussion regarding "how sharp" a knife is..., how sharp did you make them for her?

Well done Vince.

The only one I resharpened was theboning knife. If you look close there is a flat spot on the edge where I hit wilth my belt sander. These are thin and sharp and I suspect sharper than anything they have. If I hey need to be re sharpened I'm thinking they will be easier to do than say like a Henkels type

It was a big deal for my wife to switch from "her knives" to "my knives" - thanks to MtnMan1/Dale for loaning a knife to start the transition. ( One of these days when he is not so busy I'll get that special knife for her ordered.) Now she wishes she could take "my knives" with her when she needs to use a knife in one of the 'or a friend's kitchen.

Thus, the question was regarding giving a gift knife to someone who is not use to sharp knives. One certainly would not want them scary-sharp right? Of course sharper then store bought, but... how sharp?
Thanks

I try to give some people a heads up,to take care when using.

In Nov. I made my Sis a paring knife with some cocobolo.
I plan to give her the boning knife & fork & chef,in the above set,to complete her set. I may add one or two more in the future.

I just got the boning knife knocked out,it came out real nice. I had that one & one other Ippy,Eppy,whatever its called,glued up.
That one (paring knife) is a different style blade & I did the tapering on the handle a bit different

Both these came out really nice

See for yourself.....

Cool, looks like you are having fun making them. Bet they will like them for-sure, especially that you made them.

Yep I've gotton over the "WTF parts" to order stage I was in. My methods & what not I do as I go.
I am definitely enjoying it.
It really,really puts into perspective the time,know how,tools,etc that the custom knifemakers go through. Keep in mind these blades are made up already. But it still is tricky enough.

Very cool Vince! I didn't know you were building knives now. Congrats!!

Cant wait to get them

Looks real good Vince.

Thanks Bret & All...

Here is another "fillet"
I must say,another from the catalogue that is under "fillet" but what a tomatoe knife or "go to" kitchen knife,sandwich cutter,etc.
Black Walnut with an oil finish ,nickle silver pins ,440C stainless




Here is looking down from the top of my handle


And from the bottom


In hand feels very nice


Flex at the tip on this one



This knife is very light in weight. On the front of the scales I left a film of epoxy over the end grain there & then put a satin finish on that spot. I'm thinking this can't hurt.I have one more of these I am going to put an Eppy wood handle on and use mini brass corby bolts. Not sure if I will do more of these ,the handle is a PITA for me,at this stage of the game.

The Eppy (Ipe) wood has a reputation of being hard on tools. What do you say?

What do you mean "hard on tools" ?
I find it finishes out fantastic,it's nice & dense,tight grained. So drilling holes & cuts,if you are on your mark they come out crisp.
As far as holding up,I'm going by how I have seen this stuff hold up as decking here in the northeast It wears like iron,un treated

Also,it has some weight to it,so on these thinner blades I am using,it adds a nice heft to the feel of the knife overall.

PS I just finished putting the scales on the second blank I had of this fillet. I wound up using curly myrtlewood

She's gonna have some kitchen love for you my brother!

IPE is listed as a S. American wood, very hard, fine texture and roey grain used for flooring and marine construction. I put some on blades for a friend a few months ago. Good to work with and see no reason it wouldn't be an excellent kitchen knife handle material.
When I decide what blade to use, I will put some on my own knife and give it a workout.
As shown above by Vince, nice enough in appearance also.
My friend says he finishes his with teak oil.
I will probably use exterior poly eurathane on my own.
jmho
Tim

That is a very nice gift.

Thanks for the comments . It feels good to make this stuff.

Here is the other fillet I mentioned. With curly myrtlewood and brass mini corby bolts. It has one friggin spec on the blade ,I dunno how the heck it got through the tape. Anyhow my brother in law will appreciate it

I am really liking this one myself






top of handle


bottom of handle

Myrtle is some pretty chit. I really like that one Vince. Amazing how easy it is for a "speck" to get thru isn't it. Keep it up, you are doing some great work.