Now what do I do?

[Stephen Vanderkolff]

Just finished this fighter and I don't like the way it turned out. The knife is 10 1/4" long. The blade is Delbert aly damascus, wonderful damascus by the way, the bolster is 416 satin finished and the handles are mammoth ivory with domed pins. Not sure what didn't work but somehow it just does not come together properly and now I have no idea what to do with it. I am sure there will be customers out there who will like it. I don't think I can take it apart and start over with out completely ruining it. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Steve

[Gabe Newell]

The only thing that seems odd is the vertical plunge. Would you be happier if you made it mirror the the line of the bolster (in reverse)?

[Kenneth Springer]

Not sure what your issues are with the knife, but the handle looks too short and thin to me. The proportions look off. But I guess I would have to see it in hand to say for sure.

If there are customers who you think would like it, you could sell it to them. But you have to weigh that against having something out in the marketplace forever with your name on it of which you are not proud and which you (apparently) believe does not fairly represent the quality that you strive to achieve.

I don't make knives, but I have faced this dilemna in my line of work from customers who wanted to cut corners and save a few nickels. A long time ago I decided I would not do that. Anyone who looks at something I did that was less than my usual standards is NOT going to know or understand that this was something I did just to save a client a couple of nickels. They are just going to think that it represents the quality of my work. So if a client comes to me and tells me that they want cheap and crappy, then I politely decline their business. Almost always they come back and agree to do it right and pay what it takes to do that.

I am just not going to risk damaging my reputation for one client or one project. One project might feed me for a week. My reputation feeds me for my life.

YMMV.

Good luck!

[Bruce Bump]

I see what you mean although its a nice one the ricasso is extra large. I think you could move the plunge line nearly all the way to the bolsters. I cant see a makers mark but you could put one horizontally in the open area above the bolsters. The blade would be that much longer but since its a fighter thats a good thing.

[Kevin Jones]

The only thing that seems odd is the vertical plunge. Would you be happier if you made it mirror the the line of the bolster (in reverse)?

Same thing came to mind upon my first glance.