completely hand made stock removal

Frank Gamble has made some really great stuff, fantasy knives included, all stock reduction all by hand. I don't have any pictures but, all I can say is that they were amazing! You couldn’t tell the difference between them and the ones he uses power tools on.
 
I've only been making knives as a hobby for about 7 months now. I made the first one only with files (asside from cutting it to shape w/ an angle grinder). I then read a couple more books on knife making and thought I needed a belt sander. I fashioned one up and it worked well for a while. I soon found myself gravitating back towards the files. I feel I have better control and turn out a better knife with the files. I now have a growing file collection and I use them to shape the wood handles as well. Working with files and sandpaper is also very therapeutic for me after a long day of work.
I do still use the angle grinder for rough cutting and the grinder to shape, but this shaping could be done w/ the files after it's cut out. I do use a power drill which you could have in your apartment too. The 1080 steel I use from Admiral Steel is very soft and easy to shape before I heat treat it.
Where there is a will, there is a way. I think a hacksaw, some 1080 and a bunch of files could turn out a great knife. I have some of mine posted on this blog:
www.jasonprom.wordpress.com

Best of luck to you.

Jason
 
Wildthing

Stacy pointed out the sticky that describes how to make a knife by hand. I would also recommend the book How to Make Knives by Barney and Loveless. It specifically describes in print and picture how to go about doing this craft with files and paper. He even uses a brace to drill the holes in the guard and handle. Though the information on the forums is great don't limit yourself to it. Get as much reference material you can get a hold of. Good luck and keep us informed to your progress.
 
Wildthing,

I think that you are having the same apprehensions that I did when I started. I had files, sand paper, and an electric hand drill. I read up on it "the $50 Knife Shop" and "How to Make Knives" cover to cover.... a couple of times. I just couldn't quite get enough courage to get started.

I went to a knife show and spoke with a maker named Gibo from Hawaii. I told him that I was thinking of trying to make a knife. He gave me a lot of encouragement, but the best thing he told me was "Just go for it. If you have any questions or problems, just call me." then he handed me his business card.

Didn't need to call him. After I got started, things progressed just like in the tutorials and books. I started with 3/32" precision ground 01 tool steel. Things went smoother than i thought.

I made my first 4-5 knives files and sand paper. I still rough cut the profile with a hack saw, but I get the better quality blades (hacksaw).

So get some steel and take the plunge. If you have questions, the guys here have many years of experience to help you on your way. Get started and welcome to this hopeless addiction.....


Ric
 
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I want to thank everyone for the comments and assistance. Its been a long while since I replied to this thread. I have still not made a knife, rather, I have gone around to flea markets and bought broken and used cutlery and removed the scales/handles cleand them up etc. For some reason I am afraid to try this . This is what I have now in the apartment. A proxon, 3 different dremels, a foredom, yes I am a wood carver, I need one of those small b&decker portable tables. I have a variet of files. My fear or negativity comes from a lack of understanding of certain parts of the procedure chiefly, where to start the filing, and I know some heat can be applied to the knife on a small scale but I do not quite know how to accomplish this, though I know someone has posted how on the net but I cant remember where. Also, I understand I could adapt my foredom , dremel or prohon with accessories but The places I buy these toys are strangely unfamiliar with their multiple functions. My plan is to get someone here to suggest the appropriate attachments/accesories for my tools and do it on my balcony. I have sold alot of my artwork and have about 1200.00 us put aside so I can buy some of these smaller accssories and keep them in the closet. anyway, thank you all for your time and consideration in this matter.


Mark
 
One of the things about making a knife totally by hand is regardless of stickies, advice, pictures or what have
you are the "want" to make a knife. The kitchen table top files and sandpaper on a stick were a long time ago
for me but when the idea was born- the next step was mine.
Ken.
 
Buy a drill press.

Then some sort of powered metal removal device for rough profiling. A belt grinder works best, but a bench grinder or an angle grinder works fine too. Or a bandsaw.

Buy NEW files. Used files are worthless. Contrary to popular belief files don't last forever. They are dirt cheap so why waste time with dull ones? Well, they might last forever on soft metals like gold silver and brass, but not at all on steel.

A dremel is about the least useful power tool for knifemaking. They're okay for texturing and such once a knife is finished but pretty useless up to that point.

With a drill press and good files you can make anything. You could do it without the drill press too but it would be a real pain if you want to make anything that needs accurate holes. Besides, a good hand drill costs as much as a cheap drill press anyway.


Here's a framelock tutorial I did with files and a drill press. I tried to set up the whole thing so that every step could be done by a guy working at his kitchen table with simple tools.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/879116-Frame-lock-WIP-how-to.
 
Jason Magruder said:
Buy a drill press.

Then some sort of powered metal removal device for rough profiling. A belt grinder works best, but a bench grinder or an angle grinder works fine too. Or a bandsaw.

Buy NEW files. Used files are worthless. Contrary to popular belief files don't last forever. They are dirt cheap so why waste time with dull ones? Well, they might last forever on soft metals like gold silver and brass, but not at all on steel.

A dremel is about the least useful power tool for knifemaking. They're okay for texturing and such once a knife is finished but pretty useless up to that point.

With a drill press and good files you can make anything. You could do it without the drill press too but it would be a real pain if you want to make anything that needs accurate holes. Besides, a good hand drill costs as much as a cheap drill press anyway.


Here's a framelock tutorial I did with files and a drill press. I tried to set up the whole thing so that every step could be done by a guy working at his kitchen table with simple tools.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/879116-Frame-lock-WIP-how-to.
Click to expand...


Jason,

As far as the dremel or other related tool, I read somewhere in another forum where a guy cuts the profile of his knives with cut off/sawblade wheels. I have limited space, I have 5 of my 11 children still at home and the girls have deprived me of all but a small but deep utility closet at the foot of the staircase, so , if it fits in my closet then I am good to go. I also thought of an angle grinder as well. getting over the fear of screwing up seems to be the biggest problem along with a portable work table/space.

Mark
 
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