A couple of questions?

[SVanderkolff]

I am in the process of making an integral California knife. It is made using stock removal from a chunk on 440C. It will be fully heattreated when complete. I would be looking for engraving on all surfaces except the blade. Overall length is 8 1/2 inches.
First question is what grit should the surfaces to be engraved be sanded to?
How do collaborations between makers and engravers usually work?

Thanks for the help.
Steve

[Tim Adlam]

Steve,

Finish the knife to [as near to] what you want the end product to look like.
The knife will have to be worked over regardless...at least the engraver has an idea what to bring the surface back to.

Collaborations make great projects, but require more time to do.
So much of this is dependent upon others schedules.
Between two people, it's usually not a big problem, but trying to co-ordinate with 4 or more artisans
within a narrow time-frame can get pretty scary!
Communication and planning are the keys to a successful outcome in any case.

Tim