- Joined
- Sep 27, 2004
- Messages
- 3,041
Great stuff here!
I dont know if it is even easy to express the depth of knowledge that exists on these boards and in the archives. I cannot think of a hobby/business/passion that has so many facets and techniques and precedures....all of which must be done nearly flawlessly, then stung together, to make a final product. I don't know about anyone else here, but most of the knives I make, when finished, I hold out in my hand and say "I can't believe I made this."
And to think not that long ago, I thought i could make a tanto out of mild steel and heat treat it with a cigar lighter, quenched in cold water, of course.
I encourage all newbies to try a kit knife. Be it a folder or fixed blade, it will fast forward you to the point of final fit and finish. You can work with, and see how handle slabs should fit up, how pins work, how to finish and embellish a blade, all while skipping the duties that are most difficult for equipment-lacking new makers. My very first knife was a DDR3 kit. It started stock, and then i did filework, then replaced the scales. Then did damascus bolsters. Finally I replaced the blade with a damascus blade that i did entirely with files.
The kits I started with were crucial to my developing. If i had jumped right into a sole authorship fixed blade, who knows how far i would have went....
Keep checking classifieds and ebay. You can sometimes find smoking deals. I had recently been saving all my knife proceeds for a KMG grinder. A week ago, I saw a used one with a motor and accessories that i calculated would have cost me at least 1300$ plus shipping new for less than half that. I snagged it!
Ask around for help. Many makers are willing to go out of their way!
I dont know if it is even easy to express the depth of knowledge that exists on these boards and in the archives. I cannot think of a hobby/business/passion that has so many facets and techniques and precedures....all of which must be done nearly flawlessly, then stung together, to make a final product. I don't know about anyone else here, but most of the knives I make, when finished, I hold out in my hand and say "I can't believe I made this."
And to think not that long ago, I thought i could make a tanto out of mild steel and heat treat it with a cigar lighter, quenched in cold water, of course.
I encourage all newbies to try a kit knife. Be it a folder or fixed blade, it will fast forward you to the point of final fit and finish. You can work with, and see how handle slabs should fit up, how pins work, how to finish and embellish a blade, all while skipping the duties that are most difficult for equipment-lacking new makers. My very first knife was a DDR3 kit. It started stock, and then i did filework, then replaced the scales. Then did damascus bolsters. Finally I replaced the blade with a damascus blade that i did entirely with files.
The kits I started with were crucial to my developing. If i had jumped right into a sole authorship fixed blade, who knows how far i would have went....
Keep checking classifieds and ebay. You can sometimes find smoking deals. I had recently been saving all my knife proceeds for a KMG grinder. A week ago, I saw a used one with a motor and accessories that i calculated would have cost me at least 1300$ plus shipping new for less than half that. I snagged it!
Ask around for help. Many makers are willing to go out of their way!
Could not all this have been found on the search button?
