- Joined
- Jan 21, 2016
- Messages
- 355
Hey guys!! Ever since I was a kid I thought it would be cool to make my own knife. Just one. The one. Little did I know that one day I would finally up and give it a shot, be decently ok at it and become addicted to it. Now a couple knives later...I still dont have one for my own (except the file knife) as Ive given them all away to family and friends and Im having quite a bit of fun along the way. I joined this forum because 90% of what I learned and the inspiration that I found came from this site. Any time I searched for help I would happily click on the BladeForums links knowing that I would get what I needed. Now I hope to be able to continue dabbling in my spare time and maybe one day be able to help other fellow newbs get started!
It all started with a file knife. I had a TON of these old Bastard Files laying around so I decided to give it a shot. I did it with nothing more than some files and an angle grinder. It was ugly, took me forever to do and broke on the first day out but I reworked it and now it gets used from time to time when needed. I dont care for the way it looks but its a fun reminder of how it all started. Not sure about the wood on the handle, it came from some old wood paneling that was taken from my parent's pre-Civil War home. Its very soft and easily damaged but was a fun way to get my feet wet.
Here it is after come abuse.
Then I broke it being dumb.
I was kinda deflated but decided to reshape it and keep it alive.
Also made a sheath for it which I now enjoy doing as well.
After the file knife and alot of research I picked up some 1095, a Craftsman 2x42 and a variety of handle materials and got to work on a very ambitious Christmas gift project. I made 5 knives to give away trying to think about what each person could use most and going from there. All blades are 1/8" 1095. I can get more specific measurements if needed and update later.
2.5" blade for a Cousin in Chicago. Cocobolo handle (did not really enjoy working with it) and leather pocket sheath.
I then made two hiking/hunting/camping knives for my Brother in Law's. Both are roughly 4" blades, one with Ironwood and the other with brown Micarta
I also put together a similar sized knife but with a little different twist for another Bro in law. He uses this one in the kitchen alot from what Ive been told. Bloodwood handle. I like the simple sheath I made for this one too.
This knife was one of my favorites to put together and was actually supposed to be my own but I have it to my best friend instead. Stabilized Walnut handle, textured blade and sheath. I made my own texturing hammer by tacking the head of an old hammer with my MIG welder. I used the same hammer to texture the sheath. Hot vinegar and some sanding gave it the old, beat up look which I like. I will be doing another like this I hope.
After the feedback I got on the initial knives I put out, I decided to keep going and send them to a couple other people.
This was also supposed to be my own personal EDC knife but I sent it to a good buddy instead. 3" blade, Ironwood handles and a pocket sheath.
3" blade with a 3 finger grip to try and make a more compact knife. Zebrawood for the handle and a new pocket style sheath I was trying out.
Same length as the Zebrawood knife but with a 2.5" blade and a full grip. I like this alot better for some reason. Ironwood handles and similar sheath.
Im only doing this for fun really and have given away every knife Ive made so far. I dont really want to do this for profit so I wont be selling anything anytime soon but I look forward to any and all feedback. I am working on a better system for my "maker's mark" as you can see its a bit hit or miss but thats part of the charm I guess on these early knives. I hope to get better and better as I go and more importantly, have more and more fun along the way. I have a couple more to make for some friends but Im really looking forward to finally making a couple for myself!
Matt
It all started with a file knife. I had a TON of these old Bastard Files laying around so I decided to give it a shot. I did it with nothing more than some files and an angle grinder. It was ugly, took me forever to do and broke on the first day out but I reworked it and now it gets used from time to time when needed. I dont care for the way it looks but its a fun reminder of how it all started. Not sure about the wood on the handle, it came from some old wood paneling that was taken from my parent's pre-Civil War home. Its very soft and easily damaged but was a fun way to get my feet wet.
Here it is after come abuse.
Then I broke it being dumb.
I was kinda deflated but decided to reshape it and keep it alive.
Also made a sheath for it which I now enjoy doing as well.
After the file knife and alot of research I picked up some 1095, a Craftsman 2x42 and a variety of handle materials and got to work on a very ambitious Christmas gift project. I made 5 knives to give away trying to think about what each person could use most and going from there. All blades are 1/8" 1095. I can get more specific measurements if needed and update later.
2.5" blade for a Cousin in Chicago. Cocobolo handle (did not really enjoy working with it) and leather pocket sheath.
I then made two hiking/hunting/camping knives for my Brother in Law's. Both are roughly 4" blades, one with Ironwood and the other with brown Micarta
I also put together a similar sized knife but with a little different twist for another Bro in law. He uses this one in the kitchen alot from what Ive been told. Bloodwood handle. I like the simple sheath I made for this one too.
This knife was one of my favorites to put together and was actually supposed to be my own but I have it to my best friend instead. Stabilized Walnut handle, textured blade and sheath. I made my own texturing hammer by tacking the head of an old hammer with my MIG welder. I used the same hammer to texture the sheath. Hot vinegar and some sanding gave it the old, beat up look which I like. I will be doing another like this I hope.
After the feedback I got on the initial knives I put out, I decided to keep going and send them to a couple other people.
This was also supposed to be my own personal EDC knife but I sent it to a good buddy instead. 3" blade, Ironwood handles and a pocket sheath.
3" blade with a 3 finger grip to try and make a more compact knife. Zebrawood for the handle and a new pocket style sheath I was trying out.
Same length as the Zebrawood knife but with a 2.5" blade and a full grip. I like this alot better for some reason. Ironwood handles and similar sheath.
Im only doing this for fun really and have given away every knife Ive made so far. I dont really want to do this for profit so I wont be selling anything anytime soon but I look forward to any and all feedback. I am working on a better system for my "maker's mark" as you can see its a bit hit or miss but thats part of the charm I guess on these early knives. I hope to get better and better as I go and more importantly, have more and more fun along the way. I have a couple more to make for some friends but Im really looking forward to finally making a couple for myself!
Matt
