Aspiring knife maker question about college courses

bjordan

bjordan

Joined
Oct 23, 2003
Messages
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I'd really like to get into knife making as a hobby. It would be a much needed break/change from my everyday job. I'd like to start by moding knife kits I build.

I've considered taking a few night classes at a local college. I'm pretty sure they aren't going to have a knife making class... :) With that being said, what college classes do you all think would help, machining, woodworking, etc?

[Edit to add note]
I'm a complete noobie when it comes to shop work. I've used basic tools, and done a lot of dremel work.. :D I haven't used shop equipment since my last pinewood derby in scouts. That was about 10 years ago.. :)

Thanks in advance,
bjordan
 
your in Luck! Look up info on the North Carolia knife makers guild. They have 3 day classes near Charlotte / Winston Salem area. I bet someone chimes in with better info. If you want details, look up the Jones Brothers knives. They know more about the guild than I do.
 
welding, machining, any kind of metal working classes. maybe a little woodworking. if you really want to get technical take a class on metalurgy!
 
blgoode: Thanks I didn't even think about a knife makers guild. I looked them up. It looks like that is the lead I needed. I'm in High Point so Winston is perfect. Thanks! I just noticed you are from Shelby. My Dad grew up in Shelby. I haven't been there in a LONG time though.

elvenbladesmith07: Thanks I'll check with a few of the local colleges. Metalurgy would probably be very interesting.

I'm tired of sitting behind a computer and programing all day, I need to get out and do something different!!! :D
 
Listen to Brian.

If this is for a hobby,

You dont have to be able to grind flour , to learn to bake a cake.
 
The guild would be your best bet like Brian suggested.
If not that, or if you want something you can go do on a regular basis you ought to look for a class based more on basic metal fabrication. Machinist classes are going to be very specific to a bunch of equipment you probably won't be able to use outside of class so won't help you much. Metallurgy is going to take a major background in science and won't get you much hands on stuff.
If you can find a good class on the basics they should give you an overview of choosing materials, and go through heat treating because these are the foundations for any type of metal work. It will probably also include some layout work, tool sharpening(twist drills and things), and welding. All of which are very useful skills to a knifemaker.
If a local college has a construction management, welding, or welding engineering program you should look through the courses offered and what they cover. I'm taking coonstruciton management at OSU, and ended up taking the basic metal fabrication/welding metallurgy class last quarter. It was a lot of review for me after learning a lot of things the hard way over the years (I got an A in it too :eek: ) But the whole time I kept thinking how good a class it would be for aspiring knifemakers.
 
Some jewelery making classes and bronze casting classes would be very helpful for furniture like guards.
 
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