building knives

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hurley0816

Joined
Nov 3, 2009
Messages
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does anyone here buy knife blades and then build knives? reason i ask is i dont have a forge and wont have the money for a while and am considering using blades bought online. thanks
 
You dont need a forge you can make knives with a belt sander or a grinder if you disire. I have never touched a forge in my life but it is sometthing I would likee to try. But to answer your question I do know some people that do build knives from pre ground blanks and then put a handle on them. In my opinion you can never truly call it yours though. If that is the route you want to start off with though it does give good practice making handles, guards and bolsters.
 
how do you go about not using a forge? i have been "practicing" making blades with old saw blades and i can get them looking and working good, but they probably wont hold up very long without being heat treated. i just a newbie though, and am getting a little overwhelmed with all the different ways of doing things. thanks
 
Stock removal . Buy a flat bar of good steel . Design your blade, draw it out on the steel , cut out the shape and then do the bevels . Most makers have done there 1st knives with files and sandpaper . Then send them out for the heat treat .
 
I've only used premade blades thus far. Getting a good feel for different types of knives.
I hope to make my own soon though.
 
hurley0816 said:
any recommendations on where to send them for heat treat? thanks again guys
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For high carbon steels I strongly recommend Delbert Ealy, I've had him do some of my blades in O1 tool steel and have been very happy with the results and the price. Great guy to talk to as well!
Good Luck with knife making,
~Jeff
 
Hurley,

In answer to your original question, yes a lot of people buy knife blades and assemble handles, scales, etc onto them.

Look at Texas Knifemaker's Supply, Jantz Supply, etc. They all offer lots of blades. Some are sold as kits with bolsters and handle scales. All you have to do is assemble them and shape the handles. This is a very good way to get acquainted with how knives are constructed, and how to do some basic shaping, sanding, filing, etc.

I highly recommend it as an inexpensive way to start into the hobby. You don't have to forge or stock remove for your first knife "making" experience.

Mike L.
 
hurley0816 said:
how do you go about not using a forge? i have been "practicing" making blades with old saw blades and i can get them looking and working good, but they probably wont hold up very long without being heat treated. i just a newbie though, and am getting a little overwhelmed with all the different ways of doing things. thanks
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It depends what saw blades you use. Some saw blades are already hard and don't need to be heat treated. Simply grind it into a knife shape.

I recommend you buy some steel, though, it's softer and easier to work with. Plus you get your choice of steel.

Regarding heat treat, I can do it for you for free.
 
In response to the original question, yes many people do this. There is nothing wrong with it and it will taech you a lot about knives and handle finishing. I often recomend to someone who is interested in knives, but is not sure of their skills to make a kit knife first.
Stacy
 
More than a few of us got started that way, I'm sure. For me, it was quite by accident. I was looking for a new edc for work and didn't have a lot of funds (not that I do now), and stumbled across some folder kits. After looking at the sites catalog and materials, tools, etc., my mind was going crazy with possibilities. I bought a few fixed blade blanks and was hooked. The next step for me was to buy some A-2 and files sandpaper and various hand tools and make my first knives. It didn't take long for me to realize this would be a lifelong study, and saved for better tools. You really don't need much to start. You may already have some of the basics. I'm pretty sure my initial investment was around 100 bucks to get the first two out (that's everything...steel, files sandpaper, handle material..) I already had a small drill press and bench grinder. I'm still a relative novice, but I strive to make each one better than the last. I suppose my point is: Go for it. It's an inexpensive way to get started. It will also help you decide if you want to invest in this crazy addiction.... and you probably will.

Welcome to the Forum (or support group, if you like..), and good luck with your pursuits!
 
Yes lots of people take premade knives and add handles and finish the blade. Knothing wrong with doing that , like stacey says it will hone your skills . Also alot of people will not pay higher prices for quality top end knives so having them as low end is ok. I know alot of people will dissagree but alot of people are to darn cheap .
 
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