Best Knife Making Books?

B

Brad Kenney

Joined
Dec 16, 1999
Messages
229
I'm just about ready to try making my first fixed blade knife. What are your favorite knife making books?

(I did a search and didn't find a thread to this effect, let me know if I missed it.)

Thanks,

Brad
 


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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"



[This message has been edited by L6STEEL (edited 01-17-2000).]
 
Brad,

"How To Make Knives" by Barney and Loveless
"Knifecraft" by Sid Latham

2 excellent books with a ton of information.
I Highly ecommend them both.

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Barry
Jones Knives

Do you hear that?
That is the sound of inevitability.
 
i think the david boye book is pretty good, the loveless one better....but i gotta tell you i didnt like the how to make a folder book at ALL..those guys leave out the important details that make the difference between nite and day....most of the stuff that they have is there is obvious to the casual observer...i was very disappointed in it.

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
I agree with Tom completely on all three books. The best book though is a few days in a custom maker's shop. The pix in the books just can't show you how these things are done. You've just gotta see the movie. Find a maker near you. Give him a call, ask to visit, then offer to make the coffee and sweep the shop. Good luck and best wishes.

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Jerry Hossom
knifemaker
www.hossom.com


 
I agree with Tom Mayo too:

The Loveless Book is a must
The Boye Book as well
I also like The Hand Forged Knife by Karl Schroen

How to Make Folding knives should be titled
How to Make Folding Knives for the Experienced Machinist with access to Machine Tools

Reading that book was enough to scare me away from making folders... :-)

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www.wilkins-knives.com


 
My recommendation is the Loveless book first. Then buy every other knife book you can get your hands on. Then subscribe to every knife publication you can. Then join the knife-list. And also be sure to read the shop tips here on bladeforums.com. Fact is you can never get too much information, if even enough. If one book is all that is in your budget, get the Loveless book.

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Lynn Griffith-Knifemaker

BG-42 is now an option

griffithknives.com
GriffithKN@aol.com
Griffith Knives Forum
 
Lynn has the rite idea in my view. I would start by doing what he suggested. After making some knives and reading all you can I would then follow Gaknife's advice. Even though I have no desire to make knives I buy the how to books and read the maker forum. I like to know what goes into making the knives I buy. I feel it gives one a better appreciation of the knife. It also explains why they cost what they do. =)


Regards,

Tom Carey
 
Okay, you guys made me dig out my Loveless book, and I gotta admit, it's better than I remembered. I started flippin through it, and it does have alot of excellent instruction and photos. Then I came to page 33, and thats when I realized why I didn't have fond memories of the book. I have tried using a worn out 500 grit, and even a worn out 600 grit belt to polish a blade with my grinder so I wouldn't mess the grind lines up and get all this stria in my blades. I cannot get it to do anything other than leave a very dull finish. Loveless gets it to shine like a mirror. Why won't my blades shine up with this method?????? Thank you ahead of time, and take care! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"

 
This is an email I got from Jerry
Hossom. I think he pegged my problem. Can't wait to get out to my shop and wear out a 500 grit belt.Thanks Jerry, big time!

Michael,

I get pretty darned close to a polish on a worn 400
grit belt. If Klingspor Gold belts were made in 600, I would use it. I
use them because they are very flexible and run smoothly. My guess is
your problem was the belt was just not worn enough. When Loveless said
"worn", he likely meant "really worn". Mine are really really worn, and
if they're not worn enough, I wear them more by using a wheel dressing
stone I got from Brownells. It is a bit like a chunk of cinder block
that will smooth out the grit on any belt. I often use it to break the
corners on rough belts when I start grinding, so the plunge is smoother.
I frequently find I need to use the stone on the edges of the 400 belt,
where they seem to wear less than in the center. At least on my wheel
they do.

I finish using a very soft touch with the 400 grit belt, then I
sometimes go to an 3M Apex 16 if it's a larger blade. The soft pressure
is key, and usually I can just go straight to a dark green compound on a
hard buff and be done in about a minute per side. I then touch up the
mirror with scratchless pink from K&G - 30 seconds maybe. Not quite
polished with the belt, but no scratches at all.

Jerry


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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"

 
Ed Fowler's book is a great read and you can get a lot of good info alto it helps if you have some background.
 
L-6 you might want to try the Micron Belt's I only use them for finnishing work start with 80 and go down to 9 you will be amazed at the difference they Make you can get them at Trugrit in ca. well worth the investment 1 set usualy does about 6 folder's for me

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TbarK Custom Knives
I am Opposed to Millionair's but it would be Dangerous to Offer Me The Job,Mark Twain
http://vip.hpnc.com/~tbark
 
Thank you for the responses. I found the Boye book at Half Price Books and my wife ordered the Loveless volume.

While I'm on the subject of books, I received "The Razor Edge book of Sharpening" by Juranitch for Christmas. I finally understand what I am trying to accomplish when I sharpen a knife. I own a Lansky system and our knives now have great edges. I recommend the book for novices like myself.

Brad
 
Thanks Tbark! I'll have to try those micron belts. I did go out and wear down a 500 grit belt. It took alot longer than I thought to break it down. But it sure does work! I sanded a blade down till it was almost a mirror. Man, is this gonna make knifemakin easier for me!! Take care! Michael
 
This is an old thread, but I've just read Sid Latham's book, "Knifecraft." It filled in some more holes in my understanding of knife making and will be a valuable reference if I ever decide to dive in and start grinding (or hammering). I loved to old pictures of Viele, Moran et al. If you're just starting or thinking about starting, this would be one good, easy read.
 
The book that gave me the bug to get serious a Sid Latham book titled Knives and Knifemakers. It didn't have a whole lot of instruction in it but it really gave me that "itch".

Then shortly after that, he came out with Knifecraft. IMHO, it's the best all-around instruction book yet. It covers just about any and everything about making knives. Or at least what they knew about back then.

Steve
 
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