FAQ sticky

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

ilmarinen - MODERATOR
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Aug 20, 2004
Messages
38,482
FAQ Sticky



OK, I have figured a way to make a FAQ sticky.
What I want is for the people who KNOW the proper advise and who KNOW the most common questions to post FAQs and the basic answer on this thread. Also post links to previous threads or sites with the answers and info. I will review the posts, and move them to the sticky as soon as possible. If your post is changed to MOVED TO STICKY, then it is there now. Some posts will be left as they may be too specific or too broad.
Try and make the questions in the WWWWH form.
I will make the post segments of the sticky in related areas.

Now, before this becomes the Encyclopedia of Bladesmithing, what we want is FAQs....not every question that a person could possibly ask. Below are some examples of FAQs:
How can I search Bladeforums?
Use this search engine:
http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=01...:qfobr3dlcra

How can I make a knife from a file?
A file is not the best thing to make a knife from, but if you want to give it a try:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...fe-From-a-File

What is the best starter steel
The simplest carbon steel to start with is 1084. For a stainless starter steel, 440C or CPM154 are good choices.
Here is a good read on how things work inside the steel:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...ee-steel-types

How do I harden my knife
The type of steel will determine the Heat Treatment method:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...f-HT-info-here

Where can I get knife making supplies
There are many knife supply companies. Look in the supplies section:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...d-info-Here***

Where can I get a knife heat treated
There are professional services, and several knife supplies companies do HT. Also, several of the folks on Bladeforums will do a HT for you:
Look in the services section
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...d-info-Here***

How can I post photos
You must be a paying member to post images using Bladeforums server, but any member can pst an image by a link to a hosting site:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...on-BladeForums

When will my new membership level start working
You need to go to your user CP ( profile) and go to the My Settings. Then select Permission Groups, and select the new group.

What are the rules on Bladeforums
The rules are set up by Spark, and the Moderators try and keep them enforced.
You must be 13 or older to be on Bladeforums - It is the Law!
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...Before-Posting


Ok, lets see some FAQ suggestions.
(FAQ ideas are OK,too, even if you don't have the answers.)

Out of the latest threads on Newbies and forum conduct came one item of consensus.......a FAQ sticky would be useful.
The stickies are sort of FAQs, but are hard to navigate, especially for a newbie.

I am going to replace the Newbies info sticky and probably some others with a FAQ - NEWBIE INFO sticky. It will be by category and in alphabetical order.

What I want from you chaps is some FAQs and either the answers or links to here they can be found.
EXAMPLE:
FAQ - How do you search Bladeforums?....................Answer - http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=011197018607028182644:qfobr3dlcra

FAQ Where can I buy blade steel?....................Aldo, TKS, Jantz, USAK, K&G, Niagra, Pop's, etc.

FAQ Where can I buy knifemaking supplies?....................TKS, Sheffield, K&G, USAK, etc.



The categories will be:
NEWBIE INFO - READ THIS FIRST
KNIFEMAKING MATERIALS AND SUPPLIERS
KNIFEMAKING INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES
BASIC HEAT TREATMENT INFO
SAFETY

Post your ideas in this thread, and I will move them to the FAQ folder I have started. I will update the FAQ sticky as new things come up.

Anyone with computing skills who can set up a FAQ and handle the alphabetizing ..and wants to volunteer to help with this project, send me an email.
 
Last edited:
How about something like this? I just did a search for newbie, newbie questions etc. Links are to the results

Can I use circular saw blades / concrete saw blades to make a knife? Using unknown steel
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...stock-removal-parang...?highlight=newbie+here
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...12in-concrete-saw-blade?highlight=newbie+here

How Do I make a knife? Where do I get started?
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/694673-How-to-instructions-for-making-a-knife
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ng.......Where-to-begin?highlight=newbie+here

What kind of steel should I start with?
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ar-stock-for-a-beginner?highlight=file+knives

What kind of design should I start with?
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...n-advices-for-beginners?highlight=newbie+here
 
I like the idea of the heat treat basics. being a "newbie" myself I can fully appreciate that HT is a very complex process that should be learned. But when just starting it was a little overwhelming to read all about that. It would be neat for a few of you veterans to come up with an acceptable method for the common newbie steels (O1, 1095, etc) and post them as a brief step by step how to.

I would have loved something like that in a sticky when I first got here
 
How about one that says.... Newbie Steel Selection and Why.. Then add a (short)summary of the different steel types, W/ a link to the Rosetta Stone of Metallurgy where more in depth learning can go.
Also, in the Newbie, good info here thread, it has a heat treat for 5160, and 1095, but you have to dig a bit to find 1080/1084....1080/1084 should be prominent if it's the recommended steel for us newbies....
 
One request from one of the aforementioned newbies. Some of the links in the stickies have expired. Might be good to remove or replace those. I'd like to see the safety one at the top also. That's probably the most important one :)

-edit- Also, thought of something else that would be great; I've got a site bookmarked, but a knifemaker's dictionary, maybe with pics, would be useful. Running through the stickies, I find myself spending a lot of time looking up terms that you pros use on a regular basis, but us newbies don't know yet. Most recently, hogging, jig, martensite, stuff like that. I know it's probably second nature, but many of the stickies don't make sense if you don't have the vocabulary down yet.
 
Last edited:
The blocky handle thread, well, one of them at least. :)
Definitely agree with Crimsonfalcon too, safety both in terms of eye and lung protection and things like buffer use and such.
Maybe some info on handle material concerns, such as G10, the woods folks tend to be allergic to or that cause nasty reactions. That goes along with the previous line, as much as I like G10 I think the risks of working with it need to be kept in the forefront.
 
See if you can contact max burnett. He has an absolutely amazing HT Tutorial that I actually kind of understood after I read it 3 times.
 
Very few newbies will have a grinder of any sort, I know I don't, can't afford one until I get some medical bills paid. How about how to do stock removal without a grinder? What types of files to use, types of sandpaper, sanding blocks, methods etc.
 
Please don't beat me with a wet noodle for this one. A newbie question thread where all questions should be asked. Might cut down on number of threads. I have several questions that pop in my head but don't want to start a thread every time. Besides I find the answers a week or so later.
 
Not beating you with a wet noodle, but a FAQ would most likely have the answers to most of the questions a newbie would ask, and in alphabetical order too.
Cornbread556 said:
Please don't beat me with a wet noodle for this one. A newbie question thread where all questions should be asked. Might cut down on number of threads. I have several questions that pop in my head but don't want to start a thread every time. Besides I find the answers a week or so later.
Click to expand...
 
Stacy,

Do you only want suggestions if the answer or a link to a thread with the answer is included? I could go on for a long time with questions I had at one point or still have, but without attached answers, that seems like creating work for you and/or others.

Erik
 
Post all the FAQ's that you want. I can find answers for them....or someone who has the answers.

Guys, please remember that we are talking about a FAQ sticky, not an entire website of tutorials and links.

A FAQ is a Frequently Asked Question...not a book on knifemaking. I will try and include as much basic info and cover the main topics that crop up all the time.

I may make a new LINKS and TUTORIALS sticky that has all the tutorials, charts, and links to useful sites. I know that the current links have some duds in there. That is why I am asking for new links from you chaps.
 
Stacy,

I may be off base here, if so I apologize. I know you don't want to write a book. I'm just trying to think of basic questions that are often asked and important to know early on. Disregard anything that is not appropriate for a FAQ.

What grinder should I use?
What glue/epoxy should I use?
I want to make leather sheaths, where should I start?
How thick should I grind my edge? Does it matter what steel I am using?
What is edge geometry?
What types of grinds are there?
The anatomy of a knife?
I want to make a folder, where do I start?
What do you recommend for a bandsaw?
What are the different color buffing compounds for?
How do I make a _________ jig?
Do I need a disc grinder?
How can I show my maker's mark?
What type of respirator?
Where do I start with belts?
What are the common belt progressions?
How to create a good machine finish?
How to hand rub?
How to drill holes?
How do I calculate belt speed with direct drive? With a pulley setup?
What angle should I sharpen at? Is that per side or inclusive?
How do I make a kydex press?
What is a tapered tang?
Where should I send my HT?
What is a differential HT?
 
Something I haven't found is properly using pins. Ie how they are held in place and properly cut. Took me 3weeks to find this info.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top