Can't do it.

Jamesmyers14 said:
for the bevel im working on building my own bench grinder sharpening bevel.
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If your dad has some metal files in his shop, use those to file the bevels of your next knife.

If you're interested in doing another knife, post pictures of each step you take, as well as your plans for your next step. You will get some good real time advice then. Don't be in a hurry to finish making a knife. If you rush then you will be making a sub par knife that doesn't look good.
 
James,

We can certainly appreciate your enthusiasm and desire to jump right in. But you have been getting some pretty good advice from people that you are missing. And like I said, some people will turn on you if you don't show that you're paying attention. These people really do want to help you and see you do well. When they give good advice and it is ignored it is disrespectful of their time and good intentions for you. Besides, if you slow down you will learn much more. As I said before preparing yourself mentally for this hobby is very important. Rushing in and doing whatever you want contrary to the advice of more experienced people is foolish and immature. If you want to impress these guys pay attention and follow instructions. Enthusiasm is good and you will need it but you also have to be analytical and methodical in your approach. Not only will a more structured approach save you time but it may also save you a serious injury as well. These guys aren't just dumb shop monkeys throwing tools around. These are smart guys and they are willing to teach you everything you need to know including how to formulate a game plan and execute it in an orderly way. This will save you time, frustration and money. The grammar is a side issue and not necessary to make a good knife but it is not unimportant. If you want to be taken seriously then present yourself accordingly. You are not being graded on your typing skills. But the impression that you give strangers will be much better and you will be understood much more easily if you make an effort to speak or type with proper basic grammar. Congratulations on finishing your first knife shaped object. On your next one slow down and take it one step at a time.
 
You said that started as a file yesterday. You annealed, did that edge, put scales on, but no heat treat?
 
CWendling said:
You said that started as a file yesterday. You annealed, did that edge, put scales on, but no heat treat?
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BINGO!!! All he has succeeded in doing is ruining a perfectly good file. He doesn't seem to need or want my help so I'm done.
 
darrin sanders said:
BINGO!!! All he has succeeded in doing is ruining a perfectly good file. He doesn't seem to need or want my help so I'm done.
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Wow thanks for the entusiasm how do u know i didnt heat treat?? I put it in my homeade forge aka charcol wood and hair dryer got it till wasnt magnetic then out into some old motor oil. After into the oven at 400 for an hour. After that i got steel wool and got the crap off it along with sandpaper then attempted to polish it. I have no idea if anythign worked. Sorry i even attempted a knife all you guys seem to care about is how bad i messed up but thats ok. Im not gonna stop trying i honestly dont care what you think of how im doing. Im gonna try to improve.
 
I do not think anyone wants you not to be proud of yourself. I think they just want you to learn the processes and why before you do what you do ya know?
 
Dude, I was 14 once long ago too...I understand the urge to rush.

Now that you have the first knife in your hand, go with a known steel for the next one (I think someone offered some for free, if I remember correctly...).

Make a few designs for it in stacked cardboard and plywood.
Look at them...think about them...sleep and dream about ways to improve them.
Check out the knifemaker supply sites and look at what's available for parts, handle and blade materials; some of it costs less than you think!

You did the rushing to completion knife already; now, go forth and see what you can accomplish when you take the time to obsess over it! :)
 
stabman said:
Dude, I was 14 once long ago too...I understand the urge to rush.

Now that you have the first knife in your hand, go with a known steel for the next one (I think someone offered some for free, if I remember correctly...).

Make a few designs for it in stacked cardboard and plywood.
Look at them...think about them...sleep and dream about ways to improve them.
Check out the knifemaker supply sites and look at what's available for parts, handle and blade materials; some of it costs less than you think!

You did the rushing to completion knife already; now, go forth and see what you can accomplish when you take the time to obsess over it! :)
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Thanks! And people dont understand i even said it was rushed. And the person who offered the steel started to be kinda mean im just going to purchase some 440c.
 
What is important here is the maker's enthusiasm, that new spark that lights the fire of a new knifemaker. Your first attempt is very good and provided a learning experience together with help from the membership here. Back at the start we all wanted to see our first knife finished.

Go on with your new hobby, keep making knives and work safely.

There are loads of information and people who will offer their help as they already are. Great makers have started out the same way you are, so go for it.;)
 
I'm not being mean, I'm being honest. Heating a file to non-magnetic and quenching it in motor oil will not make a decent knife. You came here asking for help and I offered to walk you through every step of the process of making a knife. YOU decided to ignore the help offered here and do things your way. You have a LOT to learn. You can either learn it by trial and error and waste a lot of time and money or you can use the advice freely offered here. The choice is yours but catching an attitude wont get you far here. Good luck.
 
darrin sanders said:
I'm not being mean, I'm being honest. Heating a file to non-magnetic and quenching it in motor oil will not make a decent knife. You came here asking for help and I offered to walk you through every step of the process of making a knife. YOU decided to ignore the help offered here and do things your way. You have a LOT to learn. You can either learn it by trial and error and waste a lot of time and money or you can use the advice freely offered here. The choice is yours but catching an attitude wont get you far here. Good luck.
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Dont remember "catching attitude".
 
I think a lot of people's problem now is just jumping in without doing any research prior to grinding. While that could work, it is much less likely you will get a good product in the end. I started researching when I was 14, and made my first knife the next year. When I made my first knife, I had already researched process and tutorials for around a year and drew and cut out probably around 50 designs until I got some good ones. I looked at some established maker's designs and took some aspects of them and made my own spin off them. Additionally, I made sure to send them to someone who could heat treat them well. Here's my first one. There are some errors, but I believe the overall knife was a great success for my first.

10442752155_2a36dabe61_c.jpg
[/url]bennyknives24 by Bean Kopf, on Flickr[/IMG]

Overall, I think you need to research more and just read a ton of stuff. You will pick up so many useful tips and tricks that will help you. :)
 
To the O.P. The truth be known, you don't have to ask any questions, they've all been asked before and the answers are archived in these forums. You can proceed at your own pace and when in doubt use the custom search engine to find your answer:

https://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=011197018607028182644:qfobr3dlcra


Remember, you don't have to go at anyone's pace but your own. Just read, read and read. Then practice, practice and practice and you will become a fine knife maker.
 
James, i think the point that many are trying to make is that we are here to help. There are some of the top knifemakers in the country that post here daily. I understand the will to rush, but when people are offering to help and telling you the steps and you ignore them.....it makes people decide to stop offering advice. Get some known steel, slow down and take your time, and you will probably get more assistance than you want. Constructive criticism isnt always flattering, but its helpful to improve
 
Yah and I ordered a belt grinder 1 by 30 and some different grain sand papers to go with it and I'm making a bevel jig for it
 
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