Absolute novice!!!

[razzafranco86]

Hey i wanted to know what people would recommend as the best type of knife to make. Preferably the size, the metal (cheapest please!), the style and some essential tools!

Thank You in advance for your advice

 

[marcinek]

Welcome!

Make the kind of knife you use. Then you know if you are making right.

 

[goodeyesniper]

I've never made a knife, but my guess would be a carbon steel fixed blade with a completely straight edge, like a sheepsfoot or wharncliffe.

Other than that, you should head over to our maker's section, read a bunch and see if you have questions from there:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/806-General-Knife-Maker-s-Discussion

 

[Freman Bloodglaive]

The simplest of knives is of course the fixed blade full tang, the simplest folder the friction folder (like the Svord Peasant).

Carbon steel is cheap and readily available, although some of the high carbon stainless isn't that much more expensive in the quantities you'd be using (like 440C). You'd be sending out the blade for heat treating anyway I'd imagine.

 

[Smokinape]

Get a SAK

 

[JAKs Bladeworks]

The cheapest metal that you can get is making knives out of files. You can buy files online, flea markets, or anything like Home Depot etc. You have to anneal them (you can look this up, you can do this in a simple homemade fire), which makes them softer to work with.

 

[razzafranco86]

Ok this advice has been usefull, i will use a combination of all! Thank you

 

[southernknives]

I started out with 0-1 and did my own HT. I tried files many times, but to anneal the steel and then get rid of all the file marks wasn't worth saving a few dollars. So I to bought some 0-1. Good Luck!

 

[MNofUSN]

id go with a basic drop point blade. the first nice knife i made was out of a large saw blade about 3/16" thick, got it for free, i cut out my knife with a dremel tool using a large diamond wheel, then i used a grinding wheel to shape and profile it.

oh and i also kept it constantly cool by pouring water on the knife while cutting so i didn't have to re-temper the hard tool steel

 

[CWL]

I suggest that you get a copy of Wayne Goddard's $50 Knife Shop

That book is a great starting point for beginning knifemakers with info on how to set up your shop for cheap, materials, techniques and projects.

 

[MNofUSN]

be hind the scales the steel is almost completely hollowed out

i epoxied the pins in the area to hold the scales in place and fill in the huge gap in between each pin

 

[Hawk45]

First off you need annealed steel. This is steel in a softened state and easier to work on.
Carbon steel is cheap and easy to get (check local or hit up some of the online knife making supply houses, I'm sure you'll need other items while you are there)
You will need some proper files (possibly grinder/dremel depending on what you want to do).
Get a few pieces as you will mess up the first one or two.
Make your knife but don't put a final edge on it. Leave about a dime thickness at the edge. You will put final edge on after heat treatment.
After you have final shape and bevels, send out for heat treat to harden the steel.
Get some handle scales and metal dowel to attach (with glue/apoxy).
Put your handles on and shape.
Once satisfied, put on final edge.
Done.