13 yr old knife maker & Dad too. picture of 1st knife.

J

jaxthedog

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Oct 11, 2014
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So about 3 weeks ago I decided that the interest my 13 yr old son was showing in knife and sword-making was something i should Act fast on.
It all started maybe a yr ago. I'm a cold steel fan. and we watched some of their marketing youtubes videos. Then at a gun show he recognized the Cold Steel CEO Lynn Thompson and wanted to meet him. We did. And then a few months later he checked out a few books at library on blacksmithing. And he’s asked about making knives and swords. He really wants a forge. I’m not a very accomplished with tools and handy man tasks but I can do basic stuff and like learning new things.

So I told him – Let’s get some knife blanks (already heat treated and profiled blades) and make 4 or 5 custom knife scales/handles. And Maybe re-profile a blade or two. Then we’ll talk about a forge. And if he/we want to sell any of our work the internet is a good place for that. He said “when can we start.”

So fast forward 3 weeks. And $150 bucks later.
We now have some basics.
1X30 belt sander from HF, several belts, set of files, vise,
safety gear and other nick nacks like epoxy sandpaper and a dremel.
And enough raw material for 4 knives-all full tang fixed blades with pins.
I’m 99% done with my first one and my son should finish his this weekend.
Luckily we live near a web knife supply company and have a place to go for materials.

We plan to buy a book soon– can’t seem to decide on which one. We’ve looked at The Counts reccommendations but so many to choose from.
--> -> Any teaching recommendations for me / us ? Which book for my situation?

I can’t just say “here’s a forge and let him go” – he’s 13. So I have to learn with him. I personally am more interested in the wood shaping aspects and stock removal method. But plan to build a forge if he shows continued interest.
Here’s a picture of what knife materials we started with – and my 1st knife (learned allot about fit and finish a that we need to pay attention to details)
I should’ve done more with file and less belt sander.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/jaxthedog/knives 1/photo5.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/jaxthedog/knives 1/photo1.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/jaxthedog/knives 1/photo4.jpg
 
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Just what I say in my reply

Forging is a whole extra complication.
On top of that they put forging into video games and it make it popular with the kids



Do stock removal first, keep forging and swords as a carrot for him to continue



Books I like:
David Boye-Step by Step Knifemaking
Tim McCreight-Custom Knifemaking: 10 Projects from a Master Craftsman
Clear, well organized, available and inexpensive.



Once you progress form project 1 to project 10 you will have gained a lot of skill
It may take years to progress through that book until it's mastered



Build a simple gas forge and use it to HT the 1084 you will use
More forging carrot for him.


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...lades-where-to-get-em?p=14033229#post14033229



Get him to read these books, more forging carrot
Forging Books:
Lorelei Sims-The Backyard Blacksmith - A modern book with colour photos - forging - no knifemaking.

Jim Hrisoulas
The Complete Bladesmith: Forging Your Way to Perfection
The Pattern-Welded Blade: Artistry in Iron
The Master Bladesmith: Advanced Studies in Steel

More forging carrot, videos are a good way to learn.
"Ed Caffrey - Basic Bladesmithing-Full DVD-ISO"
 
My 12 year old great nephew got me started in knife making. Below is a photo of his first knife, he made it entirely on his own from initial design to final edge. He's home schooled, so it was a science project. It's done by the stock removal process using 1084 heat treated in a gas forge he helped me build. We've been learning together, I've picked up all my info from forums like this one, YouTube and online books. I feel very fortunate to be living in a time where so much information is available. It reduces the learning curve substantially.

My nephew has learned what he knows by watching videos and working with me in the shop. I started him out by teaching him to design using computer graphics software (kids love computers) then had him profile and grind his designs in wood. Let him work with you and it won't be long before he'll be ready to go it alone.

fristk.png
 
You might want to see if there is a blacksmith shop or association in your area that offers classes in smithing. There's one in my area that does a variety of lessons from introductory, up to knife making.
 
I agree with Sam, stick with stock removal for a little while. That'll let you concentrate on the basics, fit and finish, etc...

Welcome to our addiction. Looking forward to seeing more from you two. :thumbup:
 
Although the advice above is not wrong, I don't have much interest in stock removal and probably won't make knives if that was my only option. Find someone who will show the both of you how to forge. There must be someone within driving distance. Maybe someone offers a class, maybe not bladesmithing, bu blacksmithing. The both of you might really enjoy it. Good bonding time! Do what HE wants, you will have fun watching him have fun! And you might enjoy it also. I'd let you hang out at my place, but I'm 2000 miles!
 
Jax welcome to Shop Talk. I am definitely with Cody on this one. Forging your blades adds to the complexity of required competence but, if that's where you're headed, I see no reason personally to delay.

I would suggest you guys come on up to Dan Grave's hammerin on the 25th if you can. Shreveport is <4 hr drive from Houston and you will likely learn more there in two days than reading and experimenting on your own for some time. Dan is a fine knife maker and true gentleman. Plus the regular group of guys/gals there will leave you smiling. We'll likely have a couple of forges running as usual and the power hammer and press to move the big stuff. Good place to see what can be done to hot steel and ask questions. We all started somewhere and I admire you for chasing your boy down this path. Win win.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ort-Fall-Hammer-Inn-ALL-INVITED-OCT-25-amp-26

Hope to meet you both.
 
Mr. Lee Oates from Bearclaw Knives in Laporte, Texas offers smithing classes. His site says that the class is $125, and shows a photo of him working with a very young student. Mr. Oates heat treated a specialty tool that I had made from a piece of O-1 tool steel years ago. Other than that I do not know him personally, but he seemed like a friendly person when I spoke with him on the phone.

http://www.bearclawknives.com/#Forging

What area of Houston are you from? As you can see from my profile, I'm in Cypress but I only practice stock removal.
 
I agree with Andy, if possible, a weekend at Dan's will be time well spent for learning the basics of knifemaking and the only cost will be some gas, some food, and a hotel room. You'll both learn a lot and make friends with some very knowledgeable people who enjoy teaching new makers.
 
Thanks for all the kind words.
And the book and class advice too.
If it wasn't deer season we'd drive down to The Hammer Inn.
If I fill the freezer early we'll make it.

I'll post picture of sons knife when he finishes it.
 
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