Birthday gift for budding knifemakers?

J

jebib

Joined
Apr 21, 2011
Messages
166
My Son in law is taking a knifemaking class from a blacksmith. He is quite the blade enthusiast too. I would like to purchase for him a gift that he would have great use for in his knife making. I know nothing about it. My price point is about $125-$150. Can any of you provide me suggestions? Thanks!
 
Does he have anything related to it now? Or truly just starting out?
 
I started with some files, a drill with some bits and a bench vise. Doing the stock removal method you can make some decent knives with files and time.
 
Gift certificate to trugrit abrasives.

They sell knifemaking materials and abrasives.
 
Depending on what he has "grinder? Steel? Files?"

The best gifts are universal materials. Steel, wood, abrasives, a Sharpening stone
 
You said he was taking a class with a blacksmith, so it sounds like he may be interested in forging. Do you know if he's more interested in making knives or blacksmithing? As said above if more interested in the making of a knife files etc. to do stock removal works. For me personally it's more about the forging and the knife is the product of that. If he's more interested in getting setup for forging other ideas would be a nice hammer or sets of tongs. Those are things that will be used for a long time and really appreciated every time they are picked up.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
 
Drill press
Bench Vise
Craftsman 2x42
Tongs
Gift certificates... Jantz, USA Knifemaker, Trugrit
 
Really depends on what he already has - but when I was starting out with knife making with some things I wish I had were a good belt sander, drill press and a good heavy bench vise. The latter may require a little hunting around but old bench vises made of steel can be had for a reasonable price second hand. A beltsander would be invaluable for both stock removal and forged knives but I think the Craftsman may be a bit out of your price range and most that fall under wouldn't last very long in my experience. The suggestions given so far are great - +1 for the gift certificates.
 
I would have a closer look to what kind of knives he plans to make (full tang or hidden tang, outdoor knives or kitchen knives, etc). The idea with a file guide is great, but if he only plans to make full tang knives first, he will have little use for it (OK, it can be used when grinding the bevels, but I would not advice that).

Does have have a belt grinder? A small 1x30" with a 5" disc grinder on the side can be had for under $100 and you would have some money left for a few good belts (Norton Blaze in 60 and 120 grits). Or does he plan to grind a few blades by hand? That get him material to build a filing jig like this one.

Unless there is a well equipped workshop available any of the following items will be appreciated: Drill press, set ofg good quality files, set of Indasa Rhynowet red line sanding paper (#80, #120, #180, #240, #400, #600), Good quality vice that can rotate around 1 axis, good quality hack saw.

Of course - if he is going to be forging than there are many more items that will be needed (other will surely chime in).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top