[Barry Clodfelter]

Here is a 1084 hunter with black mircata scales. One of the first finished after taking the ABS intro class. Overall length is just short of 9". What can I do to make it better?

[BrionTomberlin]

From what I can tell Barry, it looks pretty good. Good dimensions on handle versus blade length. The pins are basically centered. Nice handle shape, looks comfortable. Nice sheath too. A couple of things to watch for on a full tang knife with scales. That the front of the scales at the ricasso area are even. That the exposed tang is finished as well and the scale edges where they meet the tang are not washed out and below the edge of the tang. A lot of times when you are sanding the handle, the handle material will wash out because it is softer than the steel and you will have the tang standing proud.
I cannot tell much more about it without holding it. Just some areas to look at, the plunge lines, are they even. Even finish on the exposed tang. Even finish on the blade.
Looks nice Barry, good work.
Brion

[Barry Clodfelter]

Thanks Brion! The tang doesn't stand proud anywhere around the scales. I learned not to let that happen. What do you mean when you say the front of the scales should be even with the ricasso? Should they follow the same line as in parallel?

[BrionTomberlin]

Hello Barry, you are welcome. With the scales I meant, not neccessarily even with the ricasso, but that the scales up at the end by the ricasso should be even. The scales themselves. I have seen some full tang knives where the scale on one side has a different profile at the front than the other side does. THey should be the same profile if that makes sense.
Good job.
Brion

[Barry Clodfelter]

That makes perfect sense Brion. I always finish the ends of the scales before attaching them so they are the same distance from the ricasso. I did try making them parallel to the ricasso once and it just didn't look right. Didn't look bad just not right. Thanks again Brion!