A just for fun proposal?

[S.Grosvenor]

Good morning,
With the recent discussion about grinders I began thinking, since the equipment is there to provide speed and consistency and the tools only aid the craftsman not make the craftsman, would anyone be interested in some sort of kith using Only basic tools, like the tools a new maker would possess? Excluding ht equipment, I'm thinking, steel of choice, hacksaw, 4 1/2 in grinder, files, sandpaper drill (not drill press) and basic material for handle. Kind of going @ it like you were about to make your first knife only now you are using your skills.

Would anyone be interested in this?

 

[9blades]

I think this is a very cool idea.......just get rid of the grinder! That'll separate the men from the boys....hehe

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

We did sort of that a while back with a challenge to build a knife with the fewest and simplest tools. A hammer, anvil , and a fire were the minimum, although someone speculated he could use just a file and a fire. Others added files and sandpaper.

I would make it might work better as a challenge instead of a KITH. The folks should list every tool , material, and procedure they use. Don't forget clamps, bolts, saws, drills, tongs, glue, etc.

 

[S.Grosvenor]

Sounds like fun! Must have missed it before.

So should there be a standard design, 7 1/2" clip point hunter, taper Tang?
Then borrow a take from an old music game show,

"I can build this knife with 6 tools"?.
Then whoever comes up with a combination we agree on, we all build using only that combo?

 

[mike-E]

Would this count since I'm just starting out? The red one's made from a file, the folder took a lot of machining though.

 

[Broomhead]

I think they are talking about doing it semi-machineless, i.e. no belt/bench grinders, no drill presses, no power hammers, etc.

 

[mike-E]

i did use a drillpress on the red one, other than that just files.

 

[Brian Ayres]

It will take me awhile but I'll start a Wakizashi today. I just bought a new(Shinshinto era) Wakizashi that is a robust and stout blade. I'll make an oshigata of the blade today and use it with power tools(bandsaw and 2"x72") to make a .050 SS pattern for the forging. After that it's alllll hand tools.

I'll forge it from W2 and use files, a sen(scraper)and stones to shape the blade. A bow drill for the mekugi ana. And I will use a piercing saw, Japanese tagane chisels and pitch with a pitch block to make the fittings. I

Don't be in such a rush to get to the destination that you don't enjoy the trip. I've really been enjoying the slower hardworking parts of knifemaking and Japanese metal working.