John Bailey's Marking Knife

[John Hart]

John Bailey started a thread over in GWW&PT about marking knives. I looked at one of the links to someone who makes these things and decided to try one m'self. After all the Itty Bitty stuff and tool making, this seemed fairly straight forward. I used some tubes and other parts from a pen kit and came up with this guy. It's Cocobolo finished with my new secret finish. 7.5" long

I'd like critiques because this feels like something I'd like to make on a regular basis and give away as gifts to woodworkers.

[Chris Barton]

A. I like the concept of making somthing out of surplus.
B. The combo look of pen and knife is not really "there" for me.
C. great effort, I am always about trying to find the next "it" thing to turn...

[Chris Barton]

Also, nice curl of bong smoke going up next to the knife in the first picture...

[John Hart]

Awww nuts!!! I didn't think about "IT"!!!! grrrr

Bong smoke? where? what?

[Bill Stevener]

I didnt check the other thread, is this like a scribe?
Also I think you are going to have to go a long way to convince the Doc, with the form you have there, that it will ever look like a knife to him .

Anyway, I like it. Will there be a cap, like on pens?? Don't forget, I don't do pens .

Bill.>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[John Hart]

I didnt check the other thread, is this like a scribe?
Also I think you are going to have to go a long way to convince the doc, with the form you have there, that it will ever look like a knife to him .

Anyway, I like it. Will there be a cap, like on pens?? Don't forget, I don't do pens .

Bill.>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Yeah....It's a scribe. I've always used pencils but John was talking about the success he had using a knife instead. Ends up that a Marking Knife is a regular staple for some woodworkers because of the acuracy. Anyway...I thought I'd use pen parts because of their stability. I also bought some brass things at the hardware store to see if I can modify the design a little. I'm going to keep at it until Chris likes it.

A cap would probably be a good idea. This thing could hurt!

[David Fried]

I thought the smoke was coming from that metorite!

Nice knife John. It is definately on my to-do list. I
picked up a japanese blade from Woodcrafts bargain
bin at 50 percent off and stashed it away. One of these
days.

[Bill Stevener]

I think it would be more like a long, shiny thin bladed thing before the Doc. would like it.

There are times when you can see a scribe mark and not a pencil line.

[Bob Noles]

Heck with the marking knife John.... it stinks

What I want to know more about is that moon rock it is sitting on


Seriously... I think the knife turned out well. That "secret finish" looks great. Will it stay a secret long?

[John Bailey]

John,

The knife's OK, but I love the name you gave it. Seriously, I think it turned out great. I'm sure it beats my old kitchen knife. Just another thing that makes me think I need a lathe. One of these days you folks are gonna' brainwash me and I'm going to find myself standing in a bunch of little curly chips.

John

[John Hart]

Heck with the marking knife John.... it stinks

Naw...that's the smoke you smell!

What I want to know more about is that moon rock it is sitting on

That's a Black Cherry burl. It's going to be a bowl someday....if I ever get it to Keith Burns!

Seriously... I think the knife turned out well. That "secret finish" looks great. Will it stay a secret long?

Nope...I'm keeping it a secret only because I just developed it. I'll reveal it soon. But I will tell you this...It is the most behaved and most seemingly durable finish that I've worked with so far. This would be wonderful on any piece of furniture and any turned piece. You hand rub it and it dries as you are rubbing into this perfect, even, semigloss finish. I'm really falling in love with it.

[John Hart]

John,

The knife's OK, but I love the name you gave it. Seriously, I think it turned out great. I'm sure it beats my old kitchen knife. Just another thing that makes me think I need a lathe. One of these days you folks are gonna' brainwash me and I'm going to find myself standing in a bunch of little curly chips.

John

Thanks! You're going to have to love the knife though John. I'm sending it to you as a thank you for the idea! I'll need your address. Can you PM me please?

[John Bailey]

John,

Man, you turners are not only crazy, you're generous to boot. I most certainly will PM you, and I'll make sure to get some pictures of how I use it. I guess I can get rid of the old kitchen knife. I'll never make fun of Cleveland again.

Thanks a bunch!

John

[Bayard Murphy]

Very nice, in fact I like the thought of it being in a pen style. maybe include a fancy fountain pen cap to protect the edge and a handy clip to hold in ones breast pocket.

Bayard

[Andy Hoyt]

Oooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh Maaaaaaaaaannnnnnn!

A bongified scribe.

Faaaaaarr Ouuuuut.

Love the piece John. Has a certain old world look to it.