Beginner question for first post!

[Blacknboostn]

Swedges and recurves should come later. Make a couple basic knives first. Or not.

I agree here wholeheartedly, I tend to jump in both feet first into anything I try and sometimes it's more than I can handle...

these are just thoughts I have on either future designs or something to come back to after I've learned more about what I'm doing.

What do you think about the farthest to the right in the second picture? The important thing to me right now is to draw things out as I think of them. Whether or not I attempt to grind it out will depend on my own skill developing over time.

Perhaps a simple flat ground kwaiken or a wharncliffe would be a simple option to start off with?

Grinder is being officially ordered today!

 

[Blacknboostn]

quick update:



grinder is in hand finally... thank you to SEARS for being such a fricken nightmare. Now to get started...



I'm setting aside almost every plan I had to create something really spectacular on the first go-round... will be getting my hands on fresh steel within the next couple days.



I read that 1075 is a good beginner steel for heat treating and also that O1 is a good beginner steel for stock removal and heat treating.



where should I start here?



Any noob tips that one might venture? This is 100% brand new to me so I'll be learning and having fun every step of the way.



I'll be cutting a wooden version of my initial blade to check design, size and grip length before cutting any metal.



looking to order 0.125 steel and then estimating a knife around 8-9 inches OAL. That'll probably net about a 3.5-4 inch blade length.



My plan is to create the template, cut out the steel (will have questions on this part... I found a waterjetting service not 10 minutes from me so its either a hacksaw, a bandsaw, or a jigsaw if not the waterjet)



profile on the grinder, then grind the bevels and drill the pin holes for the handle material.



heat treat (unsure if I will do this myself... I think it'd be a TON of fun)



finish grinding



handles



sharpen



beat to death to test my work.



am I missing any steps or is there anything out of order?

 

[Matt Rochester]

Looks like you have a plan, now start grinding!!! Ask specific questions as the arise in the process. Just take your time in each step and make the best knife you can.

 

[T.Saslow]

I am happy to see your enthusiasm and I am really happy for you; making your first leap into this giant chasm of blood, sweat, and grinding belts. I'm sure some will mention it but I would start with some 1080 or 1084. I'm not sure about 1075 but I know 1080 is easy to hat treat and to work with. It's also easy to find. Texas knife maker supply carries 1080 under "Forging steels" on their website. I would advise you not to go with 1/4" stock- it's best to start off with 1/8" stock so you can make smaller blades, but keep the thin edge geometry. 1/4" is more for Choppers where you need the weight and the extra meat behind the edge to keep it from breaking. As for water jetting, I would just stick with a hack saw and your grinder to get it profiles. To complimicated to water jet and you get to workout your muscles I would invest in a big tub of super glue; it's easier than getting stitches and it doesn't hurt as much either
Good luck, I look forward to seeing your masterpiece

 

[Augus7us]

Either 1075 or 1084 will work fine.

Next step is to put all your money, wallet and checkbooks into a time controlled vault. At least if you want to keep any of it

-Clint

 

[Blacknboostn]

I am happy to see your enthusiasm and I am really happy for you; making your first leap into this giant chasm of blood, sweat, and grinding belts. I'm sure some will mention it but I would start with some 1080 or 1084. I'm not sure about 1075 but I know 1080 is easy to hat treat and to work with. It's also easy to find. Texas knife maker supply carries 1080 under "Forging steels" on their website. I would advise you not to go with 1/4" stock- it's best to start off with 1/8" stock so you can make smaller blades, but keep the thin edge geometry. 1/4" is more for Choppers where you need the weight and the extra meat behind the edge to keep it from breaking. As for water jetting, I would just stick with a hack saw and your grinder to get it profiles. To complimicated to water jet and you get to workout your muscles I would invest in a big tub of super glue; it's easier than getting stitches and it doesn't hurt as much either
Good luck, I look forward to seeing your masterpiece

Thank you for your post, that'll be helpful. Thank goodness I am already comfortable with superglue LOL.

Either 1075 or 1084 will work fine.

Next step is to put all your money, wallet and checkbooks into a time controlled vault. At least if you want to keep any of it

-Clint

Thank you Clint, glad to hear that 1075 will work fine.

OK so here is where I am at now... I actually have some Aldo 1075 steel and have some question regarding it...

firstly, it is a little thicker than I have decided I am comfortable starting with at .200 (I actually measured it at .203)

MOSTLY because is has been SUPER difficult to cut into a blank!!! Really though... I am picking up a hacksaw which I hope will be a little easier than my jigsaw... at least in my experience.

I will be buying 1/8 thick steel today and either picking it up at Hudson Tool Steel (about 20 minutes away from me) or ordering it through NJ Steel Baron.

my biggest question is WHAT TYPE OF STEEL???

If I order through Hudson I can pick it up and save on shipping (these are not going to be masterpieces, really just need to begin learning) and get O1 but not 1075... if I order through Aldo I can get either but will have to pay shipping and deal with that.

I hav no problem putting the current stock of 1075 away for a bit until I get a few simpler knives made.

Disclosure: I am young and have not accumulated all the tools I will need so will buy them as I need them.

 

[Blacknboostn]

deleted post: New Thread Started under more appropriate title.

 

[Rick Marchand]

Way to go, bud. You've got a great attitude and dare I say aptitude for design. I like your designs, so far. Heat treat is lots of fun but you probably won't nail it out of the gates. I suggest sending one out for heat treat... either to a professional company like Bos or Peters or one of the experienced makers on this site. I'll do it, if you pay shipping but you may find someone closer.

 

[Blacknboostn]

Way to go, bud. You've got a great attitude and dare I say aptitude for design. I like your designs, so far. Heat treat is lots of fun but you probably won't nail it out of the gates. I suggest sending one out for heat treat... either to a professional company like Bos or Peters or one of the experienced makers on this site. I'll do it, if you pay shipping but you may find someone closer.

wow thanks for the offer! I appreciate the feedback, this is going to be a tremendous amount of fun and I am really looking forward to it. I have my first two blades destined for my dad and my father-in-law for Christmas...

 

[Rick Marchand]

No problem. Keep your sights set on eventually doing your own heat treat(if you find it rewarding) but do not hesitate to send something out if you feel the need. There is a time for the learning curve and a time to just git er done.