need help with bones and textures

[Haze33E]

Ok so I am fairly new to blender. I once used it about 4 years ago to create a model for an invention site Quirky. That didn't go anywhere, but I'm hoping to get into modeling for TF2 items. I'm currently learning the ropes I created a very basic knife for the spy. I'm just trying to create a model that works for now so I know the steps. I've downloaded lots of videos and webpages explaining how to do things.

My current problem is I'm not sure If I correctly parented a weapon bone to my knife. I took the weapon bone from My Eternal Reward and stuck it on my knife. But I'm not sure if I even did it correctly. Then there is my texture I baked my model to get the base AO texture. I use GIMP because I can't afford to buy photoshop. So that is where I got lost I think I created a texture I'm not sure. I opened it in blender and my model turned completely black. I tried rendering it with blender's camera and I could see the texture. I have no idea what I did wrong.

I am using Blender 2.72b and GIMP 2.6 I'd very much appreciate some step by step here. Also I'd like to know how to remove a texture from a model so it can be replaced. Keep in mind my only modeling experience has been with blender, I'm self taught so to speak. I just need to learn how to do the steps correctly then I'll work on making a better model. Right now my model is basic I'd like to make it more detailed in the future. But right now I will settle for a working model.

Honestly I could use a more up to date full tutorial like Helljumper did on Youtube. I know things have changed some programs are out of date and TF2 has the workshop importer now.

[HellJumper]

Have you checked out this? http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=155101824

I can't really help with GIMP too much since I've never really used it.

[Haze33E]

I have watched most of your tutorial videos and have copies of some. And I have copies of your guides in text as well. I followed your directions when parenting the bone but I think I still messed something up. But yea I could use help from someone who uses GIMP in their texturing. I screwed something up cause I can't see the texture it is completely black. Yet I can see it when I render the scene in Blender.

And thanks for taking the time to reply HellJumper I know you're a busy guy these days. I think the problem I'm having, is so far I think all your tutorial videos have been for hats. While I've been trying to start out making a weapon. I think there is a need for a seperate tutorial series for weapons.