A newbies consolidated questions.

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pmang6

Joined
Jan 1, 2013
Messages
70
Over the course of the next few weeks I will be making my first knife. I'm sure I will have a TON of questions and I don't want to clog up the Shop Talk page with 20+ single question threads. If for some reason the mods have a problem with this or want me to make separate posts I'd be happy to do that.

Initial background info: I'm using only basic tools for this, a hacksaw, files, a large assortment of sandpaper, a power drill (no drill press:() and a plethora of average garage tools. I am on a limited budget so don't tell me to go buy a CNC mill:D. The supplies I ordered are:

Gorilla Epoxy Twin Tube Dispenser

1080 1/4 x 1 x 12 HR

Brass Rod Pinstock 1/4" x 12"

3m Particulate Mask w/valve 8211 N95

Canvas - Brown Canvas 1/4" x 5" x 1.5" Scales pair

So for my first questions:
How easy is it to make a chisel ground blade as opposed to a normal flat or v ground blade?
Is a chisel grind hard for a first grind?
Is a zero grind hard to acheive with limited tools?
Is a scandi grind hard for a first grind?
I'm sure these won't be the only questions so stay tuned!


Thanks,
Parker
 
Practice making a knife in wood or scrap metal before you start on the first good blade. You'll develop a lot of shaping technique and and eye for form rapidly on the first attempt. Mild steel is plentiful in junk items and can be gotten pretty cheaply at lowes or home depot. You'll be much happier with your first real knife if you test out a few handle shapes and blade outlines in some soft material beforehand. At least do some cardboard cutouts to get the feel you want.

Make sure you keep your hacksaw wound up tight. I've been hacksawing and filing as well. There's some good info on files and their use here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...and-Files?highlight=recommendation+hand+files

Best of luck!
 
gredpe3 said:
Real easy,No,No,No,Ok.
Eddie
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Oh, ok Ha Ha I didn't quite get that at first but now I gotcha!
Schleifstein said:
I forgot to mention, you should really read through the sticky threads here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...reads-All-The-Good-Info-You-Want-In-One-Place

They will answer most of your first questions and teach you things you probably hadn't thought about. I know they did for me.
Click to expand...

Yep, still going through them they are a great source!
 
12345678910 said:
Be careful with a scandi grind on 1/4" stock


go as thin as you can instead of as thick as you can
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Yea I think I'm going with the chisel not scandi grind.

Also, I don't have a file card so is there any way to make one? Or maybe find something that serves the same function?
 
Proper chisel is not as easy as one might believe, and with 1/4" stock you will probably be disappointed with the performance of that grind...
 
LucyCustomKnives said:
Proper chisel is not as easy as one might believe, and with 1/4" stock you will probably be disappointed with the performance of that grind...
Click to expand...

Yea I've figured that I probably ordered the wrong thickness seeing as its only an inch wide.... Hmmm so does anybody have suggestions on a good grind? I'm thinkin' saber grind...
 
12345678910 said:
go as thin as you can instead of as thick as you can
Click to expand...

pmang6 said:
Yea I think I'm going with the chisel not scandi grind.
Click to expand...

He means use thin stock. It's ridiculous and frustrating to shape 1/4" with only hand-tools, and frankly there are very few times you need a knife to be that thick anyway... certainly not a blade only 1" wide. No matter how you grind it, it's not going to cut worth a hoot.
 
I know funds are limited, but I would suggest holding on to your current steel for a forging project or a dagger later on. Get some 1/8" stock, and start with that.
 
pmang6 said:
Yea I think I'm going with the chisel not scandi grind.

Also, I don't have a file card so is there any way to make one? Or maybe find something that serves the same function?
Click to expand...

Home Depot sells file cards in the Tool section. Should be near the files.
 
Willie has a good suggestion. 1" X 1/4" will make a great dagger, but that project is for later on. 1/8"X1.25" will make a much better starter knife.

Emial me your shipping address and I'll send you 12"of 1/8" 1084.
 
I know a machinist who swore by a piece of brass instead of a file card. Haven't tried it myself.
 
pmang6 said:
Yea I think I'm going with the chisel not scandi grind.

Also, I don't have a file card so is there any way to make one? Or maybe find something that serves the same function?
Click to expand...



bladsmth said:
A stiff steel wire brush, like one for a BBQ grill will work as a file card.
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I like a fine bristle stainless steel wire brush sold as a cleaning brush to brush aluminium for TIG welding
Harbour Freight or local welding stores should have them, they look like a large toothbrush

http://www.harborfreight.com/steel-detail-brush-69525.html


The wire brushes they sell as paint strippers and way too coarse to get into the file grooves.
 
bladsmth said:
Willie has a good suggestion. 1" X 1/4" will make a great dagger, but that project is for later on. 1/8"X1.25" will make a much better starter knife.

Emial me your shipping address and I'll send you 12"of 1/8" 1084.
Click to expand...

Wow, it amazes me that that kind of generosity is still apparent in this world. Thank you so much. Email sent.:thumbup:

Willie71 said:
I know a machinist who swore by a piece of brass instead of a file card. Haven't tried it myself.
Click to expand...

bladsmth said:
A stiff steel wire brush, like one for a BBQ grill will work as a file card.
Click to expand...

12345678910 said:
I like a fine bristle stainless steel wire brush sold as a cleaning brush to brush aluminium for TIG welding
Harbour Freight or local welding stores should have them, they look like a large toothbrush

http://www.harborfreight.com/steel-detail-brush-69525.html


The wire brushes they sell as paint strippers and way too coarse to get into the file grooves.
Click to expand...

Thanks every one for the suggestions. I have a wire grill brush that should work.

Parker
 
I tried to make a scandi grind once, without a belt grinder, and I found it impossible. When it came back from heat treat, I just couldn't figure out a way to grind that whole bevel down to zero. That is a lot of hard steel to grind. I gave up and put a regular secondary bevel on it.
 
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