Any budding knifemakers here? or DIYers?

Trying to budget a shop, but just lost my job two weeks ago so I've been sitting on my hands. I figured I'd rent a workshop with electrical power for 150 bucks a month and start investing in the propane forge, anvil and belt grinders. Also doing some research in leatherwork, I have my first leather punch on the way.
 
i have a nice belt grinder and a torch/rosebud and oil to heat treat....I like to work in O1...but everytime I make somthing I find a flaw or the grind lines are off....somthing like that....I get mad and destroy the knife with a cutting torch and give up for a while.....if I cant build something of quality and perfection...then I dont need to be building it,I have been trying to build somthing with a randall 14 type blade shape....but I cant get the lines perfect....reminds me of blackjack when they took over ek knives....crappy grind lines
 
I though most custom makers use a sliding bracket thing that holds the blade in place for grinding so it comes out even? I'm just going off of a few pictures I've seen, so I could be completely wrong??
 
crackerjax said:
i have a nice belt grinder and a torch/rosebud and oil to heat treat....I like to work in O1...but everytime I make somthing I find a flaw or the grind lines are off....somthing like that....I get mad and destroy the knife with a cutting torch and give up for a while.....if I cant build something of quality and perfection...then I dont need to be building it,I have been trying to build somthing with a randall 14 type blade shape....but I cant get the lines perfect....reminds me of blackjack when they took over ek knives....crappy grind lines
Click to expand...

You'll never make a perfect knife no matter how good you are. It's good to try to be perfect but also know that it will never be perfect. Just do the best you can all the time and be happy it. I'm usually happy with my work as long as I know I did my best and I didn't screw up.
 
remmmm said:
I though most custom makers use a sliding bracket thing that holds the blade in place for grinding so it comes out even? I'm just going off of a few pictures I've seen, so I could be completely wrong??
Click to expand...

Nope.. Some use a tool rest but your hands hold the blade against the grinder and keep the grinds even.
 
raylaconico - well said. :thumbup:

I don't think production companies even make "perfect" knives.

My definition of a "perfect" knife is the one that is:

Nearest to the right application and Nearest to me

:D

Dan
 
crackerjax said:
everytime I make somthing I find a flaw or the grind lines are off....somthing like that....I get mad and destroy the knife with a cutting torch and give up for a while.....if I cant build something of quality and perfection...then I dont need to be building it,I have been trying to build somthing with a randall 14 type blade shape....but I cant get the lines perfect....reminds me of blackjack when they took over ek knives....crappy grind lines
Click to expand...

Hey, remember, somewhere, some time, Randall made a really bad knife before he made his good ones.

Me , I would like to see a Crackerjax. I've seen Randalls.:D
 
Destroying the knife you made mistakes on ? you should save it to look at next time you start. Gives you a point of reference. After spending time with Ray and a certain mastersmith I am grinding alot better ( their observation). I pulled an old knife out of a drawer yesterday that I had done 6 months ago and was SHOCKED.... at the time I thought it was a decent knife, I wouldn't even sell it now...
 
well maybe here in a week or so I will try again to make another knife...after im dont putting a new motor in my wifes k5..I dont have a rest...I could build one(weld metal pieces togeather) a question for guys here with a grinder. do you grind wit the belt coming to you or away from you? mine is set to away...I guess one of my main fears is that I will make a crappy knife and stick a great handle on it. I have a 2 foot x 3 foot x 2 inch thick slab of green micarta I got from a friend of mine who was/is supplying peter bauchop with his micarta seeing how its hard to get ahold it in south africa and I dont want to waste it on bad blades.... I have one that I thought I had lost before I got a chance to destroy it ....later found out my wife gave it to my sister for safe keeping.....it has a grey phonolic resin handle and a blade made from a old (1950s) file... it looks bad
 
started playing around with kit knives lately.
going to start the scandi mini nessmuk blank I got from you with cocobolo soon.
thanks for the heads up to the contest Dan.
keep grinding!
 
I've been making knives for about two years. <.< Nothing like some of you guys make on here, but I make most of them after traditional hammer forged blades that would have been used in the early years of the United States
 
I've been saving up materials before I get started. I found a piece of an old railroad track that I can use as a starter anvil, bought some metal files at a flea market etc. Only a piece or two left before I'm ready to start tinkering.
 
I've made a few , I have no problems with designs , grinding out the shape , drilling holes , making scales and sheaths , even the temper.... It's grinding the blade even and thin that I have a hard time with..
 
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