Complete Knife nOOb. Just saying hello and looking for construction criticism.

J

Jeff Zimba

Joined
Feb 29, 2016
Messages
81
My name is Jeff Zimba and I am a knife making addict...... (I thought I would get that out of the way). :D

Though I have been making and working on and with firearms for a few decades, my interest in knife making is just over a year old. I built a #10 Coffee Can Forge and an electric etcher for a makers mark and have worn out several Harbor Freight 1x30 grinders in the last year. Most of my knives are from old high-carbon, USA files and an occasional 01 steel bar. I have been messing around with and learning several handle styles but have no where to go but up since I am so new.

I recently made a video explaining how I make these for a firearms related YouTube channel I have and the response has been fantastic. It looks like it is a HUGE community. I would live to hear any comments, tips and constructive criticism so I can get better at this.

The video link is here: https://youtu.be/FXcDrfv49zc

Thanks in advance! :thumbup:

Jeff
 
Hi and welcome Jeff! Some people will have more to say for sure, but I'll chime in first and say that most would recommend against using motor oil for your quench, there are faster and/or more ideal oils, and the smoke can be very nasty and not good for you due to the many additives in motor oil(especially working inside). Take care of your lungs, knife making is a nasty business when it comes to that!

Maybe try doing a flat grind with a plunge for your next one, it will be a good challenge coming from the convex, soft-plunge knives.
 
you may want to use the platen to grind on. You will get a flat grind instead of the rounded one you have. Maybe just my personal preference, but a flat grind looks more finished.
 
kdogmcg said:
you may want to use the platen to grind on. You will get a flat grind instead of the rounded one you have. Maybe just my personal preference, but a flat grind looks more finished.
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I absolutely agree. Thank you very much. I am actually due for a huge equipment upgrade very soon and will actually have a proper working surface. I can't wait. Thanks for the advice, it is as appreciated as it is necessary. :-)
 
That's great advice. I hear a lot about vegetable oils for quenching, is that the direction you would recommend?
 
Jeff Zimba said:
That's great advice. I hear a lot about vegetable oils for quenching, is that the direction you would recommend?
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Canola and Parks are the popular ones, but the best thing to do is just search on here for the best quenchant for whatever steel you are using. This can be tough with recycled materials like old files, which IMHO are not worth the few dollars saved vs. just buying some known and ideal steel from Aldo.
 
Agreed.. order up some steel from Aldo. Maybe think about at least moving up to a Craftsman 2x42, then modify it with some angle iron to a 2x72 (just cut and rebolt the top wheel) and add a beefier platen. I've been using mine for about 3 years and made some good knives. It's super fast, but gives you the skills to learn a light touch and hold concentration. Then when you move to pro grinder you'll be way ahead of the game. Also, stick with free hand grinding. Don't get sucked into using jigs. Let your hands and eyes control things.. again, best in the long run. Besides a good drill press, I'll add to get a portable metal bandsaw and some Lennox bi-metal blades. Then make a table mount for it or order a SWAG Off-Road table/table top.
Rock on brother!
 
Welcome Jeff. I enjoyed your video and especially your enthusiasm. Looks like you've had some fun!

Just a quick note to shave some time off of your tempering process... Once the cycle is over, it doesn't hurt to just plunk the hot steel into a water bucket to immediately cool it off. In fact, you get then start your next cycle if need be, and you don't have to wait all that time for the steel to cool down to ambient temps.
 
Hi Jeff. Welcome ! You are a live wire for sure ! I would love to have a visit with you ! I know you are a real into it guy.
First I recommend you read the "stickies" at the top of the page. There is all sorts of information in these. They will help you tie stuff together. If you are looking for a better way to go ahead a 2 X 72 belt grinder is what you want. There is a "search" button on each thread page - where you posted, place your question like grinder and see what you get. For sure you can ask as well but you may be amazed how much will come up.
Keep on grinding.

Frank
 
pwheeler said:
Canola and Parks are the popular ones, but the best thing to do is just search on here for the best quenchant for whatever steel you are using. This can be tough with recycled materials like old files, which IMHO are not worth the few dollars saved vs. just buying some known and ideal steel from Aldo.
Click to expand...

I'm all over it. Thanks again! I knew I would like this place!
 
Hawk45 said:
Agreed.. order up some steel from Aldo. Maybe think about at least moving up to a Craftsman 2x42, then modify it with some angle iron to a 2x72 (just cut and rebolt the top wheel) and add a beefier platen. I've been using mine for about 3 years and made some good knives. It's super fast, but gives you the skills to learn a light touch and hold concentration. Then when you move to pro grinder you'll be way ahead of the game. Also, stick with free hand grinding. Don't get sucked into using jigs. Let your hands and eyes control things.. again, best in the long run. Besides a good drill press, I'll add to get a portable metal bandsaw and some Lennox bi-metal blades. Then make a table mount for it or order a SWAG Off-Road table/table top.
Rock on brother!
Click to expand...

I absolutely have a 2x72 in my near future. I can't wait. I'll save the old 1x30 to use with scotchbrite belts or maybe for my 12-year-old in his quest to follow along. Y'all rock!
 
knife to a gunfight said:
Welcome Jeff. I enjoyed your video and especially your enthusiasm. Looks like you've had some fun!

Just a quick note to shave some time off of your tempering process... Once the cycle is over, it doesn't hurt to just plunk the hot steel into a water bucket to immediately cool it off. In fact, you get then start your next cycle if need be, and you don't have to wait all that time for the steel to cool down to ambient temps.
Click to expand...

Hell yeah! You're schooling me already. I can dearly use it. Thanks so much for both the advice and kind words!
 
Frank Niro said:
Hi Jeff. Welcome ! You are a live wire for sure ! I would love to have a visit with you ! I know you are a real into it guy.
First I recommend you read the "stickies" at the top of the page. There is all sorts of information in these. They will help you tie stuff together. If you are looking for a better way to go ahead a 2 X 72 belt grinder is what you want. There is a "search" button on each thread page - where you posted, place your question like grinder and see what you get. For sure you can ask as well but you may be amazed how much will come up.
Keep on grinding.

Frank
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Thank you sir! It looks like you have filled my reading assignment for the evening. :-) This site is as addicting as knifemaking and machine gunning (my other passion). Check out my channel at www.Youtube.com/Bigshooterist :-)
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Welcome Jeff.
As Frank suggested, the stickys are filled with info.
This is the custom search engine. It will find any subject ever discussed on Bladeforums:
https://cse.google.com/cse/publicurl?cx=012217165931761871935:iqyc7cbzhci

For example - if you enter "file knife" it will get you hundreds of threads and tutorials on making them.
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Awesome! I appreciate the guidance, both in my new passion and the help in navigating this forum! Much appreciated!
 
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