First knife by hand?

[ljfe]

Hey this if my first post. I hope you guys don't mind that I am kind of disregarding the lengthy informational threads and am going to go ahead and ask a few questions.

After doing a LITTLE reading I have understood that a knife can be made by hand (with no power tools). I would like to try this in my condo building. Is it a loud process (hack sawing and filing of course)? If so, I can do it in the woods somewhere. I plan on buying some 01 steel, a hacksaw, a file, and sand paper (I think?) What kind of sand paper should be used to smooth the blade? How much do you think all of this will cost? I am not going to put a handle on the blade. My plan is to make a simple push dagger. Is it okay to start with that design (will my basic tools be able to make a push dagger)? How long do you think this process will take?

 

[t_davis925]

Avoid working inside, dust will be a serious issue when it comes to fine filing and sanding. Work outside, the noise is negligible unless you're right outside someones window. Get several files- rounds, half-rounds, and flats. I recommend Nicholson or Bahco, both have served me well, and be prepared to spend a good chunk of time and for sore arms, filing is not a fast process by any means, though you'll probably learn to enjoy it. Check out the stickies for all the information you'll ever need on making a knife with files, it's all there.

 

[ljfe]

sounds like fun. is a vice necessary for the hacksawing and/or filing process? I don't really want to lug a vice out of the city to a woodsy area lol

 

[Steinerj]

I use a panavise for all my filing and sawing. Get one with the c clamp base and clamp it to the heaviest table you got. I used to just use a squeeze clamp to clamp the blade to the edge of a table

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

You can do a fine job with hand tools, I'd recommend making your first knives that way.

Do you have a porch you could clamp a small vise to? It will help if you can hold the knife stationary when you are working on it. As far as noise goes I guess it depends on your neighbors.

Read the sticky on "how to make your first knife" by Bladsmith, it will walk you through your first knife.