Cutting steel?

3

3wolves

Joined
Dec 28, 2007
Messages
1,061
I am going to try making my first knife. I have a huge esparcia bowie blade that I will use for the steel. my question is, can I use a jigsaw to cut the blade shape out of the Steel? Or will it ruin the heat treatment? I will pour water over the blade every inch or so I cut.
Thanks
 
I am afraid that will not work. Most likely all you will acomplish is burning up alot of jigsaw blades. What I would sugest instead is to find a piece of tool steel like O-1 or 1084 to start with. You can buy a small piece of tool steel and have it shipped to you for not much money. Even on Ebay there are people selling scrap pieces of tool steel.

If you really whant to use the old knife to make a new one you will have to aneal it before you can cut it. If you manage to cut it while it is still hard you will take the hardness out.

I think most people here will tell you the same thing; start with new steel. Fill out your profile so we nknow where you live. There may be someone that lives near you that could help you out. Also what tools do you have.

Good luck
 
3wolves said:
I am going to try making my first knife. I have a huge esparcia bowie blade that I will use for the steel. my question is, can I use a jigsaw to cut the blade shape out of the Steel? Or will it ruin the heat treatment? I will pour water over the blade every inch or so I cut.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I doubt that you'll be able to cut a hardened blade with a jigsaw. You'd be much better off purchasing some steel from one of the knifemaking suppliers or from the "for sale" threads here and starting from scratch.

With new annealed steel, you can draw the profile out on the blade and then drill holes all the way around the profile. Then use a hack saw or metal cutting bandsaw to connect the holes and free your profiled blade from the parent material. A little grinding of the profile and your ready to go to work on the bevels.
 
Oh im not a knifemaker or anything, (14 years old:D) I have all the basic power tools like a bench and angle grinder, drill with various bits, jigsaws and various files and hand tool. I just have a broken bowie and an my dad broke a stag handled carving set so I want to turn them both into something usefull. (short knife with stag handle) I basically know what to do after I have the blade blank but I just need to cut it out. The steel isnt anything special I think its 420 or 440. Iv made knives before using already made blades from broken knives but Iv never actually cut a blade shape out though i have put new tips or slightly modified the blade shape of existing Knives. If the jigsaw wont work, what can I do? I really cant buy any expensive steels or anything.
 
A small piece of tool steel will not be that expensive but if all you want to do is this project than go slow and use the grinder. Make sure you are being supervised! Keep the steel cool, dip it in water often. and good luck.

If you want to start making knives. save up some money and buy some steel. $25 could get you started and you will be much happier with the results.

Good luck
 
Do you think I could use something like mitre saw blades or files? If not, where can I buy steel?
 
Email me. We will discuss what you want in size, and I will fix you up with a piece of steel, and after you get it ready, I will heat treat it for you. All I ask is that you pay all shipping, the rest is on the house.
 
:
Email me. We will discuss what you want in size, and I will fix you up with a piece of steel, and after you get it ready, I will heat treat it for you. All I ask is that you pay all shipping, the rest is on the house.
Click to expand...
Thanks alot but my parents would never let me. They'r already all scared of predators and stuff.:grumpy:
 
Since you're in Canada it might be more expensive, but Kelly Cupples is the guy to get carbon steel from in the states. He's just south of you in WA. For orders over $50 he ships free in the U.S., he might give you a break on shipping to Canada. Give him a call, great guy and he's never stalked me ;)

Kelly Cupples / octihunter AT charter.net
2807 Butterfield Rd.
Yakima Wa. 98901
509-949-5231
 
3wolves said:
Oh im not a knifemaker or anything, (14 years old:D) I have all the basic power tools like a bench and angle grinder, drill with various bits, jigsaws and various files and hand tool. I just have a broken bowie and an my dad broke a stag handled carving set so I want to turn them both into something usefull. (short knife with stag handle) I basically know what to do after I have the blade blank but I just need to cut it out. The steel isnt anything special I think its 420 or 440. Iv made knives before using already made blades from broken knives but Iv never actually cut a blade shape out though i have put new tips or slightly modified the blade shape of existing Knives. If the jigsaw wont work, what can I do? I really cant buy any expensive steels or anything.
Click to expand...

Clamp it down really well, and use the angle grinder. Keep it cool as you cut. Use a wet paper towel to continually wet the area being cut. Go slow.

Jim L.
 
3wolves said:
:
Thanks alot but my parents would never let me. They'r already all scared of predators and stuff.:grumpy:
Click to expand...

3wolves

Have your parents check out our website (in the signature below). We are located next door in Alberta, so we're close enough for your Dad to come and punch me in the nose if he thinks we're up to no good.

I like to see a young man (or woman) so motivated at beginning the honorable craft of knifemaking. I'd be glad to send you a piece of blade steel to get you started. In the knife making community, you'll find many people willing to share their knowledge and support what you are doing.

By the way, I am a predator. I'm a traffic cop. If you wear your seatbelt - stop at stop signs and maintain reasonable speeds, you are not the prey I'm hunting. :)

If you or your parents want to contact us, the phone number and email are on the website. Hope to hear more from you.

Rob!
 
Thank, but I already started using a file. If this one goes well, Ill buy some good steel and start making alot more. but until I get the hang of it, I dont wanna mess up anything good.
 
Read up on annealing and heat treating your file if you'd like an easier time at turning it into a knife.

Good luck!
 
3 wolves
I am also interested in helping new makers,but as I am i n Texas I'm not real close,but if your parents will let you Pm your address and I will mail you a nice piece of wood for handle material.
 
Boy There sure are alot of helpful people here. Thanks for the offer Sbuzec but im already using some stag antler. I already cut the blade and ground the bevels (saber grind) It doesnt look too original but it was a major succes. no overheating at all. Im going to go temper it now, then Ill paint it with the brownell, (closest to damascus I can get at the moment :D) put the handle, sharpen and test it. I'll post the results here.
P.S how do you post pics?
 
i think you as a non paying member could post pictures so long as the photo is uploaded elsewhere by typing
"
" without the quotation marks of course :)
 
3wolves said:
Boy There sure are alot of helpful people here. Thanks for the offer Sbuzec but im already using some stag antler. I already cut the blade and ground the bevels (saber grind) It doesnt look too original but it was a major succes. no overheating at all. Im going to go temper it now, then Ill paint it with the brownell, (closest to damascus I can get at the moment :D) put the handle, sharpen and test it. I'll post the results here.
P.S how do you post pics?
Click to expand...


Hi 3wolves, :) Go back to the beginning of Shop Talk (the link below) http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=741

If you look at the top you will see 2 threads labled announcements and 3 threads labled "stickys". The second sticky "For the newbie maker starting out as well as the seasoned maker II" http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=452465
will set you off on the journey of a lifetime when it comes to knifemaking. Almost every topic applicable to knifemaking is covered.

Your Mom & Dad are really going to be ticked off at me once you start reading :D ;) Can you say - "I need some $$$NewTools$$$ ??" :D

Good Luck and check back if you need help with anything knifemaker related :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
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