Can't do it.

J

Jamesmyers14

Joined
Oct 26, 2014
Messages
73
Basically from advice given it's like impossible for me a 14 year old to get into knife making . I have decided to go with a traditional knife I can do consisting of flint knapping blade deer antler handle with sinew. Is this a waste though do these sell and I can do them good
 
You can do it. You are so young you just have a lot to learn start small and work your way up. It wont happen overnight nor should it. Start small.
 
14 year olds have undertaken plenty of more difficult tasks. Heck, used to been lots of 'em were building hotrods in their garages. :)

Don't know what you were reading, but there are many approaches to making knives, and you can spend a lot of money or a little depending on what you are trying to do.

'Bout as cheap an outlay as I've seen: http://www.knife-making-supplies.net/cheap-knife-tutorial.html
 
Last edited:
Im not going to lie to you, you are going to fail, it's part of the learning process. You shouldn't be afraid to fail though. We learn the most from our failures. The sooner you start doing whatever it is you are wanting to do in life, the sooner you will get to where you want to be.

Don't worry about people telling you that you can't make knives. If they're not supporting you in your interests then chances are they aren't worth listening to(unless those interests are destructive that is). Some of the best knifemakers in the world started young and with minimal equipment.

If you look at people in the world who have achieved great things I think you'll find they all have one thing in common, they don't listen to the naysayers. A lot of people in this world have given up on their dreams and they resent people who haven't done the same. They'll try and tear you down to their level. Unfortunately, sometimes they're the exact people who should be fostering your interests, like your parents or close family members. You can't let that stop you.

You have all the resources/support from places like this and elsewhere. There is absolutely no reason at all why you can't make knives. The one thing I recommend to you is to read, read, read, and read some more. So many times I see newbies coming here asking questions about things that have been covered every thoroughly in the stickies at the top of this section. Start there. Use the search function. Learn to help yourself and dig for the information you seek and if you can't find d it THEN start a thread here. People here will be a lot more apt to help you if you demonstrate that you aren't just being lazy and want someone to spoonfeed you information. Try your best to really listen to the advice people give you here. We have some of the best knifemakers in the world on this forum. Also look at the American Bladesmith Society website and see if there's any makers close to you and see if you can go and watch them work or help them in their shop(for lessons).

I wouldn't bother with flint knapping. Just get some cheap 1084 high carbon steel and a set of files. Then watch Aaron Gough's video on how to make a file jig. Once you do that watch Nick Wheeler's video on hand sanding the finish on knives. Good luck

ETA: you should get your parents permission to make knives of course. A good way to do that would be to make the argument that you want to make tools, not weapons. Focus on doing some non-weapon designs first and show them your designs. Maybe even do a kitchen knife for your mom.
 
Last edited:
James,

Fill out your profile including where you live so knife makers in your area can contact you or make more specific suggestions for you.
 
If you are in Georgia, the guild here is one that will not shy away from teaching you. We have a meeting late Jan or early Feb at the Twin Blades Shop, and that meeting usually has a good flint knapper.
 
Go to Knife Dogs and look up " Ernie Swanson"

He started on with files and a blade C-clamped on a porch rail with his tools in an old pink lunchbox

Now he has good skills and a pretty good sense of style.
He has embraced that pink lunchbox as marketing

http://knifedogs.com/member.php?1674-Ernie-Swanson

http://knifedogs.com/showthread.php?3639-First-knife-ever-WIP
All the photos have disapeared, so it looses it's impact, but

If you can't you won't if you want to you will






http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...to-build-first-folder?p=14063914#post14063914
Start there and make one of the filing jigs shown.



When I was in high school, the workshop class had 3 hour work sessions after school once or twice a week.
If you find something like that it'w worthwhile
 
Last edited:
Invest time in your new knife hobby. Lots of time and patience, step back from your project when you feel you are not getting to where you want to go and shift gears and do something else. Then come back to it later. Easy does it, and before long you will have your first knife. Don't rush, but rather enjoy each step of the way.
 
There's no age limit (young OR old) to learning how to make knives, nor is there a "minimum" budget. Get a couple of decent files, a pile of sand paper and a couple of drill bits, and you're already halfway there.

Reading the "stickies" is a great place to start too. There are a few examples of "budget knives".

Does your dad have a shop or any tools? Maybe a grandfather? An uncle? Talk to them about giving you a hand and showing you some basics.

If you live close to any knife makers (with your parents permission of course), I'm sure they'd be more than happy to give you a few quick pointers. Fill out your profile.
 
[video=youtube_share;YLcR0Tabjas]http://youtu.be/YLcR0Tabjas[/video]
 
If your parents are ok with you making knives have one of them give me a call at the number listed below. With their permission I will send you a piece of steel, some handle scales, & some pin stock. You'll have everything you need to make your first knife except tools, abrasives, epoxy etc.. I will also heat treat the blade for free when you have it ready to do so.
It probably wont turn out to be a beautiful showpiece but if you do your part it will make a good tool. It will also prove that you can make a knife. That proof will be more important to YOU than anyone else. Don't worry, you can do it. There are many knowledgeable people here who will offer tips and tricks on every step of the process. We'll get you there, all you have to do is put forth some effort. If you enjoy the outcome, you can make more and each one will be better than the last.
 
darrin sanders said:
If your parents are ok with you making knives have one of them give me a call at the number listed below. With their permission I will send you a piece of steel, some handle scales, & some pin stock. You'll have everything you need to make your first knife except tools, abrasives, epoxy etc.. I will also heat treat the blade for free when you have it ready to do so.
It probably wont turn out to be a beautiful showpiece but if you do your part it will make a good tool. It will also prove that you can make a knife. That proof will be more important to YOU than anyone else. Don't worry, you can do it. There are many knowledgeable people here who will offer tips and tricks on every step of the process. We'll get you there, all you have to do is put forth some effort. If you enjoy the outcome, you can make more and each one will be better than the last.
Click to expand...

Take his advice James.

I started when I was a little older than you and took a hell of a lot of convincing for my parents to let me make knives. I would suggest getting a kit knife or two along with darrin sander's generosity.
Good luck on your journey, like i said, I started when I was about 15, only a little older than you, and now a few years later I am in the prime of doing a huge waterjet batch.
 
I started over 50 years ago when I was 11. There was no internet, no books on knifemaking, and only a few books on blacksmithing. There was no source for steel or handle material. You used what steel you could find that was reliable. In my case it was 1095 tire irons...a wagon load of them. I built myself coal forge and learned by trial and error ( lots of error). Luckily a neighbor came over after a while and showed me a few things. He gave me a bucket of old farm blacksmithing tools.

Today you have all the advantages one could ever want. Internet, YouTube ( not always a good source), books, DVDs, and forums like Bladeforums Shop Talk. The catalogs, tools, supplies, steel, etc. are as available as your mailbox. You most certainly can do it.

Take Darrin up on his offer.
First, fill out your profile.....all of it.
Second, sit down and talk to your folks, Tell them why you want to learn to make knives.
If they are in agreement, have one of them call Darrin and chat for a while. Darrin is a first class guy and has helped many new makers.
 
darrin sanders said:
If your parents are ok with you making knives have one of them give me a call at the number listed below. With their permission I will send you a piece of steel, some handle scales, & some pin stock. You'll have everything you need to make your first knife except tools, abrasives, epoxy etc.. I will also heat treat the blade for free when you have it ready to do so.
It probably wont turn out to be a beautiful showpiece but if you do your part it will make a good tool. It will also prove that you can make a knife. That proof will be more important to YOU than anyone else. Don't worry, you can do it. There are many knowledgeable people here who will offer tips and tricks on every step of the process. We'll get you there, all you have to do is put forth some effort. If you enjoy the outcome, you can make more and each one will be better than the last.
Click to expand...

I have permission to do it thats not a problem and my dad has a shop some fiels sand paper and benchgrinder are in there. ill try to get them to call you.
 
Also is there a one guide everyones telling me these sites and thigns but im going for a one guide everything in it to make a knife
 
Mr. Meyers,

You will find that if you make an honest effort the people around here will help you go as far as your talent and time will take you. If you indicate that you are looking for an easy way to get around doing the hard work you will not get much respect and some will turn on you. In time you will realize that most of the people here bust their backs and their brains to achieve what they know and can do. Plus they share it all with anyone just for the asking. I am not suggesting that you are looking for the easy way. It is just a caution and friendly advice. Making knives is deceivingly hard to do well but you can absolutely do it. A shop full of expensive equipment is not required. All the information you will need cannot be gathered into one text. It takes a lifetime to gather information and even at the end of your knifemaking journey you will still be learning. If you are really interested in making knives, or doing anything well in life, you must prepare yourself mentally. If you make it your game plan at the very start that you will do your very best at every step you will succeed. You must be hungry to research and read, read ,read. Ask questions after seeking the answers yourself. In the internet age answers are at your fingertips. You have gotten a lot of good advice already. You have even gotten a very generous offer from a very talented and knowledgeable person. Show these people that you are serious by following advice. Start by filling out your profile as has been suggested. Then call Darrin Sanders and talk to him. But right now you can be reading through the stickies at the top of the page. All the information you need and much more is waiting there for you. Read everything you can get your eyes on.
 
Great advice everyone starts somewhere. Keep it up and do not give up. You will get cut scrached burnt and sore but it will be worth it.
 
will call tommrow and btw i think what would help is if i do one step for say cut the shap out post it to show progress then show my other steps to see what needs tweaking and whats going good
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top