Can Anyone Here Make a Knife For Me If I Provide All Materials?

[jtallant]

I was just wondering if I buy the blank blade, and choose/buy the handle scales if a maker here can do the finishing and make a sheath??? I would try it myself but have absolutely none of the tools or skill reuired.

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

As a maker I would decline using a blank blade. Your also going to pay more than you think just for my time.

Is the design you have in mind so outrageous that you can't find a production or custom version that is similar to what you want?

 

[gator68]

I was just wondering if I buy the blank blade, and choose/buy the handle scales if a maker here can do the finishing and make a sheath??? I would try it myself but have absolutely none of the tools or skill reuired.

If you buy a blade blank, you don't need many other tools. Maybe a drill, a file, sandpaper and some clamps. Give it a try. The worst that happens is you're out a little bit of money and time. The best that happens is you have fun, get a nice knife you made, and confidence to start making more things.

 

[jtallant]

If you buy a blade blank, you don't need many other tools. Maybe a drill, a file, sandpaper and some clamps. Give it a try. The worst that happens is you're out a little bit of money and time. The best that happens is you have fun, get a nice knife you made, and confidence to start making more things.

What about the blade polishing (as most come "in the white"), and pinning the scales to the tang? Where do you get the pins and such? I think i just might try this.

 

[stingray4540]

What about the blade polishing (as most come "in the white"), and pinning the scales to the tang? Where do you get the pins and such? I think i just might try this.

You can get the pins at http://www.texasknife.com/store/s-pages/TKS_MainframeStore.htm?TKS_RivetsPommels1.htm~smain
look under brass rod or nickle silver rod and just order whatever size you want.

If you buy a blade blank and some wood scales and the pins all you will need is some epoxy. If get a blade with a full tang then trace out the tang on the wood scales and cut them out(slitely bigger to allow for shaping) Then epoxy one scale to one side of the handle let dry completely (24hrs?) then drill through the scale you just attached, using the holes in the tang as a guide. Epoxy the other side on and use the hole you already drilled through the other side as a guide to drill the holes through this side. Next, cut your pins to the width of the handle, then rough them up with some sandpaper, coat them with some epoxy and put them in the holes in your handle. Let the pins dry completely then use sandpaper to shape and finish your handle. The pins should sand down with the wood.

P.S. That is if you buy a blade that already has an edge, has been heat treated and has pin holes already drilled in the tang. If you just buy a piece of steel that is shaped like a blade then you will need to put a bevel on it, drill holes in the tang were you want the pins to go and heat treat it.

You can find alot of different options for blade blanks and supplies at http://jantzsupply.com/ click on the picture in the middle to download there catalog in pdf.

here are a couple of tutorials if your interested, to give you an idea of some of the other steps. The first two talk about attaching scales:
http://www.northcoastknives.com/northcoast_knives_tutorials_fulltang1.htm
http://hossom.com/tutorial/jonesy/
http://www.primitiveways.com/pt-knives-1.html
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=461906

 

[Ebbtide]

You can do this.
I have no prior experience and turned these out, by following tutorials.

All from blade blanks (in 1 case a rubber handled Buck)
The only power tools used were my ancient hand drill and $70 table top drill press.
Take your time and enjoy the doing...don't rush for the result.

if I can....you can

 

[gator68]

What about the blade polishing (as most come "in the white"), and pinning the scales to the tang? Where do you get the pins and such? I think i just might try this.

Check out Bob Engnath's stuff. He is sadly deceased, but he used to run a shop called Blades n' Stuff. He ground out blade blanks so anyone could put together a knife. I started out using his blades.

Polishing is not so hard. You just need sandpaper and something like a sanding block. And some time and patience. Even if you had a fancy grinder, you'd still spend time with sand paper, polishing by hand. So your sanding skills won't go to waste.

You can use anything for pins. I've seen everthing from welding rod to nails to copper wire. You can get brass rods from most hardware or hobby stores.

Just be careful -- you'll start out doing this, and a few years down the road you'll need a forge, anvil, burrking...

 

[jtallant]

Thanks guys. I'm definately gonna jump in and try my hand at this!!!! This is just the cheapest way I know how to get a quality damascus knife. Just about everywhere I looked from custom makers they charge $300+. Not counting time and frustration I can do it for under $100.

 

[scottickes]

Thanks guys. I'm definately gonna jump in and try my hand at this!!!! This is just the cheapest way I know how to get a quality damascus knife. Just about everywhere I looked from custom makers they charge $300+. Not counting time and frustration I can do it for under $100.

Welcome to knifemaking. There are many tutorials in this forum to learn how to do many different things. I would also suggest you read through many of the discussions on the "Shop Talk" thread and hang out there. Ideas, discussions about how to make knives, and many other conversations go on there. It's a great place to learn. If you become stuck with how to do something, search the threads and tutorials to see if your question can be answered there. If you can't find the answer in a thread or tutorial, don't be shy and ask us in "Shop Talk".

Once again, welcome to the disease know as knifemaking!

Scott (Ickie) Ickes