I've been interested in knives and swords forever and now I think I'd like to take the plunge and try my hand at the craft. I'm a fairly experienced woodworker but I have little to no metal working tools. Where's a good resource to go to see how to get started? Do I need a gas forge, coal forge, grinders, etc? Any help would be fantastic.
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Beginner blade maker
- Thread starter dmelton
- Start date
The equipment you need to start making knives can be very limited. Besides some materials like steel, wood, brass, glue and such i would say that a good knife can be made by using a vise, a couple of files, assorted abrasive papers, a drill, a oxyacetylene torch (or a barbecue forge) and a kitchen oven.
Some books i would recommend are:
Handmade Knives - 10 Projects From A Master Craftsman (sorry, author unknown, i don't have the book at hand)
or, if you want to forge:
The Handforged Knife from Karl Schroen and
The Complete Bladesmith from Jim Hrisoulas
Achim
Some books i would recommend are:
Handmade Knives - 10 Projects From A Master Craftsman (sorry, author unknown, i don't have the book at hand)
or, if you want to forge:
The Handforged Knife from Karl Schroen and
The Complete Bladesmith from Jim Hrisoulas
Achim
If you are an experienced woodworker, I'm going to assume that you have some tools, maybe a steel ba$tard file as well, I'm going to assume that you have some sort of belt sander too.
Now go get some steel and make a knife.
Okay, Okay, I'm not trying to be a smarta$$, it's just that until I tried to make one, I didn't really find out how much I didn't know. It was then that I could go to the books and read all about it, with a new appreciation.
Currently, the only power tools in my shop are a 4x36 belt sander with a tilting table, a bandsaw, a 4" side grinder and a small 8" drill press. Everything else involves elbow grease and patience.
There are many good books on the market which will help you out. Try the Public Library in your area or use the web resources.
Welcome to a great hobby,
Diligence
Now go get some steel and make a knife.
Okay, Okay, I'm not trying to be a smarta$$, it's just that until I tried to make one, I didn't really find out how much I didn't know. It was then that I could go to the books and read all about it, with a new appreciation.
Currently, the only power tools in my shop are a 4x36 belt sander with a tilting table, a bandsaw, a 4" side grinder and a small 8" drill press. Everything else involves elbow grease and patience.
There are many good books on the market which will help you out. Try the Public Library in your area or use the web resources.
Welcome to a great hobby,
Diligence
Yes, I have woodworking files, a beltsander (typical handheld type) drills, saws ets. I just don't have a good drill press anymore, guess I need to get another one. What metal should I start with on my first knife? I have walnut for a handle but I don't have any metal stock.
Hey. Welcome to BladeForums and knifemaking. I think you will find it one of the greatest passions you could ever find. And sometimes frustrating as well. But that is what keeps you wanting to learn! If memory serves me, Bob Loveless (has done more for knifemaking than just about anyone) started out with some old Packard springs (sorry I've forgotten the year). Just find you some old steel, a lamnmower blade, old file, really anything and grind away. My first knife I made from a file I "borrowed" from my Dad and a piece of 2X4 for the handle. I did not heat treat it, I did not know how at the time, But it was enough to get me hooked. Just go slow and don't get frustrated. There will be enough of that later believe me!!! The book that got me started was How to make knives by R.W.Loveless and Richard Barney. The ISBN is:0-87341-389-X. He showes you in this book how to make a knife with hand tools only also. Great book. Good luck with it and stay posted to the Forums and ask away. We will answer any question you have. Mark Hazen
Check out this web site....it contains a wealth of information.
http://www.engnath.com/public/intable.htm
Also, you might try to contact one of the custom makers in Mississippi, or in a nearby state. Go to this link and search by state. I'm certain that one of these folks would gladly show you their shop. Knifemaker's are generally a great bunch of people. Or maybe there is someone on this forum who could show you their shop?
http://data.allvertical.com/cgi-bin/Ass_Member.cfm?AssociationCore_ID=53353&camefrom=53353
As for steel, I started with some 440C bar stock. I used files, sandpaper, and swearing for the first couple of knives, then graduated myself to the belt sander. I think you should start with the files. Once you can do things with basic equipment, then it makes it easier to do it with power tools....my thoughts anyway.
Cheers,
Diligence
http://www.engnath.com/public/intable.htm
Also, you might try to contact one of the custom makers in Mississippi, or in a nearby state. Go to this link and search by state. I'm certain that one of these folks would gladly show you their shop. Knifemaker's are generally a great bunch of people. Or maybe there is someone on this forum who could show you their shop?
http://data.allvertical.com/cgi-bin/Ass_Member.cfm?AssociationCore_ID=53353&camefrom=53353
As for steel, I started with some 440C bar stock. I used files, sandpaper, and swearing for the first couple of knives, then graduated myself to the belt sander. I think you should start with the files. Once you can do things with basic equipment, then it makes it easier to do it with power tools....my thoughts anyway.
Cheers,
Diligence
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2000
- Messages
- 140
I finished my first knife recently using basic tools: a piece of ATS34, file, vice, sand-paper, dremel and a hand drill. If I were to do it again, I would use 1095 steel. It is not as hard to work with as ATS34 and you can heat treat it by yourself. Search the boards and ask questions.