Any advice as to how a 13 year old can make a knife blade?

Tom Lewis

Tom Lewis

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Feb 24, 2000
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I have been contacted by a family whose 13 year old son would like to make a knife for a 4-H project. I am willing to help but am having a hard time figuring out how he can make a knife blade. It takes awhile to learn to grind a blade and a 36 grit belt on a 2x72" grinder can be dangerous. In fact all machines can be dangerous and I don't want to see someone hurt in my shop.
Any suggestions would be welcomed.
 
13 can be plenty old enough to use a grinder, especially with instruction and supervision. Not everyone knows how to behave in a workshop though.

I let my son grind a plywood sword on my grinder when he was like 7. He didn't even skin a knuckle on the grinder.

If the parents aren't close friends, I'd probably look into some kind of agreement where everyone understands that even when reasonable precautions are taken, a workshop can be dangerous.

This is a good example of why shop class was important and we are diminished by it not being required like it used to be. Everyone should have a basic understanding about tools and ppe.

If you aren't familiar with the kid, maybe start by having them come job shadow for an afternoon so you can get an idea about how they handle themselves in a shop and around machines.
 
It's possible, but depends on the kid. I took wood and metal shops in jr. high and high school. A motivated kid one on one has a good chance.

I'd do a 4" hunter, let them clean up the profile, drill some pin holes. File the plunge, try some bevels, then you clean it up a bit. Choose some wood, etc. It would probably mean a lot to the right kid, and their family.
 
You should test the ability of the kid. What can they make already? What machines can they run? What tools are they familiar with?

As they say your reach should exceed your grasp but there is a chance this project will become a trial and error even that's all trial mostly error and no success or lessons learned.

I would say making a horseshoe could be easier to achieve and lead to skills that can lead to making knives.
 
you're under no obligation to agree to that request, as you're probably well aware.
if it were me, (I've been asked at least twice for this specific thing since I started making knives) I'd say sorry but no.
the highschool nearby has a pretty great metal working shop, and if I ever feel the desire to teach young people how to make knives, I'd talk to the school admin to see if they'd be down with me using their facilities for this.
schools are insured against risk due to young people learning new things. I am not.
 
Being where I started, I'd say and the scars I have, I'd say yes it should be possible. The 1960's and 70's are a long
time ago. ---- not anymore.
 
I think a forged knife that is made with limited grinding, fitting, and gluing would be more fun for 13 year old. Either a blacksmith knife or a railroad spike knife. I would use one of the 1078 railroad spikes from Atlas Knife and Tool, which can be properly heat treated. I think that could be done in a single day with enough motivation. Profile grinding seems relatively safe compared to bevel grinding. When I show people to use my grinders, I teach them the Tim Hancock style work rest and push stick method. The fingers and knuckles stay relatively clear of the belt.

https://imgur.com/T7GZQuf

https://imgur.com/kUmo3vx
 
Lorien said:
you're under no obligation to agree to that request, as you're probably well aware.
if it were me, (I've been asked at least twice for this specific thing since I started making knives) I'd say sorry but no.
the highschool nearby has a pretty great metal working shop, and if I ever feel the desire to teach young people how to make knives, I'd talk to the school admin to see if they'd be down with me using their facilities for this.
schools are insured against risk due to young people learning new things. I am not.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

ETA: I'm with the guys who said it depends on the kid, but I wouldn't be interested in the potential liability.
 
Depends on the kid - show and tell if mature enough. I was using the grinder and other tools in my Dad's shop at that age. Before I was 16 I had made my own set of leather stamps out of 10 penny nails. I have them to this day. I didn't make knives, that I recall, but re shaped a bunch.
 
Thanks for the suggestions and advice. I plan to meet the boy and his mother tomorrow. I plan to see what kind of tools he has at home and what kind of experience he has.
My Dad had a well equipped shop and I grew up using every tool he had. Not everyone is so blessed.
His Mom said he has made two knives already. I might offer to help him make a sheath for one of his knives. That way I can see what kind of skill he has, how well he can follow instructions, how safe he is, etc.
 
problem with waivers and youth; below a certain age, a person cannot sign a legal agreement limiting exposure. At the same time, a parent/guardian CAN sign the waiver, however it does not have the same bulletproof affect that an adult signing one on their own behalf.

I've worked in bike shops for many years, and have had this kind of conversation more times than I can count or remember. One thing for certain; I've always had better luck/better workers with kids who come in to ask about working in the shop than those accompanied by their parents
 
This sounds like a lot of work for you. The foremost priority is to avoid injury, which if I were you would mean doing anything dangerous with power tools myself, such as belt grinding, and let the kid watch and learn and then he can do the finish work manually, but even then I would set him up to do it safely and demonstrate safe technique. Or for something like using a drill press, let the kid do it but only if I'm standing there ensuring safe practice.

I'll add that my 13yo nephew has done two multi-day forging classes with less intense supervision and no injuries, but if I were facing the potential liability I would be extra-cautious.
 
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We have an 11 year old in Oklahoma who has been making knives for at least two years. Adam Storts-Imperial Forge from Duncan Oklahoma. He hollow grinds and last year won our knife show scholarship and did a class on forging. He does amazing and is a Show favorite. Nice polite young man!
 
I do this often.
1) A parent must accompany the boy.
2) We draw a basic design and do the basic forging or grinding to shape, and he files the bevels. He can do various parts of this.
3) I do the final shaping and bevel grinding while explaining the process to him, and if he has the aptitude, guide him in some finishing on a 220 belt.
4) We do HT and I explain the process and what is happening in the steel. He goes home and I temper the blade. Before he leaves, we pick a handle material and I will fit it to the tang and drill for Corby bolts.
5) He comes back the next weekend. I have already cleaned the blade up to 400 grit.
6) We put a handle on with Corby bolts, grind/file it to shape, and sand it on the grinder and by hand.
7) The knife is sharpener to the degree chosen by the parent, put in a nylon knife pouch, and handed to the lad.

I just got an email yesterday from a young man graduating from university this year. He recalled making a knife with me at 14, and still has the knife among his most cherished treasures.
 
I’d say go for it. You have an opportunity to be highly influential to a young person who is actively displaying a desire to do this. That is rare and not something that should be wasted or discouraged in my opinion.

Get a nice file and gift it to him, then show him how to use it. The bevels will be done in no time. The handle can be shaped with an assortment of round and flat files.

Begin by showing him each step and then let him take over.
 
I second Darren’s suggestion of just filing. No belt grinding needed.
Start with thin stock, 3/32”, file a short Scandinavian type bevel. Heat treat. Then you can choose to let the boy grind the edge, or work it to sharp on a coarse stone by hand.
I still do most handle shaping with files.
No point in teaching him he needs expensive and sophisticated equipment just to make a simple knife, and there is a lot less risk of injury leading to legal liability.
 
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