Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhh!!!!

Four things:

1) Buy an angle grinder like everyone already told you.
2) Throw the lawnmower blade away. You will have WAAAAY too much time in this knife to use a piece of S%^T steel. Real knifemaking steel is CHEAP. Use it.
3) Take your dremel back to where you got it, get it replaced and don't use it for what it wasn't intended to do. They are a hndy tool to have around.
4) Nice handle. I like it a lot. It looks as if you have a good bit of time in it. Please refer back to #2!!!
Good luck,
Matt Doyle
 
Dremel cases are open to the air over the windings and brushes. This makes them susceptable toi getting metal cuttings in and shorting the motors out. They were not made for heavy metal work like blade cut out. Get an offset grinder-some call them side grinders-and you will have a much easier time. A 4 inch works just fine.
 
Put the dremmel tool down for now, and do a bit of shopping.
Get an angle grinder or some kind of belt sander.
Buy a basic drill press.

These two tools will get you on your way. Buy yourself some clamps and a vise to hold things together and for pressing in rivets pins and for pressing handle scales together.

Take your time and don't rush. Develope a feel for what you are doing, and with some time and patience you will decide if knifemaking is for you.

There is piles of information on this site, and feel free to ask questions, we are here to help. Knifemakers are like family and we welcome people like you to the community.
 
Thankyou all for the advise. I am going to do those things mdoyle, but where to get the steel. I used the lawnmower blade because I heard they are good steel to use. I will follow your advise on this, just need to find out where to get good steel and what kind. Going to exchange the dremel and use it for small things. I shaped the handle with a drum on the dremel, do you think this is okay for it. I really think kifemaking is for me, I like it a lot already. Just wish I had all the stuff to do it, wish I had the stuff I use at work, but I only have a few small things. I have a vise and some clamps a dremel, going to get an angle grinder, sandpaper, files and small things like that. I will accumulate more, just want to finish my first knife. But I want to do it right. On the blade should I anneal it, shape it, then temper it. What do you need for those things? Sorry so many questions. I am going to look through the site as much as I can, and thank you all again for your help. You have helped me get on the right path.
 
Admiral is a great place to buy quality steel, and you already have the link. Look for something basic as far as steel. 1084, 1075, 5160 are all good steels that you can make good blades with using basic heat treating principles. There are several people here on the forum who will gladly heat treat your steel for you (for about 5 bucks per blade) until you gain the tools and knowledge to do so for yourself. Just ask around.
Matt Doyle
 
IMHO a 2 day old Dremel should be under warranty. No way it should croak that fast. Return it and get a refund.

I will say that my recent experiences with a cordless Dremel have not made me happy. The idea that you could use that instead of a Rotozip to cut holes in drywall is specious to say the least.

Syn
 
jmar595 said:
Thank you all for you help. You confuse me Bodfish.
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I get that a lot. In fact, I often confuse myself! Here's why I made my comments:

Your blade design is good, your handle is the TITS! (that means good), I didn't beleive you did this with a itty bitty Dremel is what.........made me think you were pulling our chains:p If you did, then you got some real good stick-to-it in your veins.

Ok, you have some talent, it's apparent. Don't waste it. You got some great advice here, IF you know how to use (and be safe) with the 4.5" grinder.

If not, I've got a deal for you! To finish this knife, and a few more, you don't need much.

Get some quality files. Yup, the ones without the motor. Get a big vise first. Clamp it in any way you can, and file your profile, your grind (flat, I'd think), and most of the finish. Sandpaper will do the rest. Do a google search for "cheap knifemaking".

Your lawnmower blade will be OK for your first knife. I know it's against the grain of most here, but it's what I started with, and I still use the knife I made with it. I hardened it in WATER, though..........Yours may crack....so what?

But, the BEST advice I can give you on your quest is to buy ONE BOOK. The $50 Knife Shop by Wayne Goddard. Amazon used is about $15 shipped.

I'll bet if you have this kind of persistance now, heaven help us all when you get a proper tool!!!:D
 
Thank you Bodfish. Didn't know how to take you earlier. Thank you for the complement on the handle, it just feels good in your hand. Your right TITS are GOOD! I started filing the handle with files, took a long time, so I went and got the dremel, used the drum and windled it to shape, then took a file and got it the rest of the way, and finished it with sandpaper. I killed the dremel trying to cut a small piece to use as a guard, it needs something in the top of the handle, I am going to use a small piece of the steel and taper it with the handle almost like a spacer. I went to wally world to exchange dremels and forgot a piece in it, I'll do that tomorrow. I looked at the grinders, I'm going to get one, but cash flow is low right now, I did see some things that will help with the grinds, a 6" or so pad that you can chuck up to a drill and put sandpaper on, there are grinding wheels also. I'll probaally use this on this one. I have a bench grinder that I used on the first blade, can't see the grind lines with it though. Ya, I think I am in this knife making venture to stay, I like it alot, I work on aircraft during the day, but I like doing more artistic things. I think I spend too much time on the knife now, but I will cut that down alot with experience and the right equipment. I have the $50 knife shop, I also have How to make knives, by Loveless. I want to make a grinder like he does in the book. How long does it take everyone on avrage, start to finish, to make a knife?
 
jmar595 said:
How long does it take everyone on avrage, start to finish, to make a knife?
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How long does it take you to get layed? Depends, right?...............Married, single, good looking, hung well, hung poorly (ouch), who do you know, how much you got, are YOU styling? :D

I can make a knife in 2 hours. My last one took 2 months. I've been working on one for 4 years, and can't finish because the Ebony needs time........or maybe, the woman needs it more. It takes as long as it takes. Most cannot make a living (or even a profit) making knives. Let's get that one straight right now.

I write some, I paint some. I make nice furniture, too. I build computers (although not lately, cause I'm going back to the bush soon; for good).

Making knifes gives me the most grease, though (satisfaction). The blades have a soul, to me, and sometimes I can lose myself in the work.

YMMV, as always.
 
fitzo said:
late 60's SoCal, right? :D Bitchin'!!
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Man, Fitz, you made me laugh all over the screen with that one!

Yeah, it was bitchin' all right! He, he..........I'm still LMAO!

My god, where has it gone?.........valley girls ( "so, gag me with a SPOON, why dontcha?").

Surfer girls (they are now all housewives with a secret, or got ate by JAWS).

Ty dyed shirts...............I got mine, still.

Free love.........there ain't no love where gangs roam.

Gettin' High............it's all gone to the meth labs and the brothers all have iron.

Surfin' USA.........a few spots are pristine. Most are gone to development.

Me thinks I'm the last man standing, I swear!
 
All right, made a little head way on the blade, but how do you all get those crisp grind lines on those blades. Here are some pics. after I polish it up and finish everything, I won't have any distict lines like I want.
IMG_1001.jpg

IMG_1000.jpg

IMG_0997.jpg
 
Anyone?? I just put the bevels on the top. I can't seem to get the recaso sharp either, too rounded.
 
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