First Try

C

CauseforAlarm

Joined
Oct 18, 2004
Messages
37
After contemplating it for a while, the cheapskate tutorial hosted on the Hossum website pulled me in. I've got six feet of 0-1 in 1.5" and with 1/8" thickness, a hacksaw, clamps, sandpaper, and a few massive files. Didn't have access to my drill, but wanted to jump in anyway, so I ended up drawing out a profile on the barstock and cutting it out via the hacksaw. Tommorrow I'll try to start putting an edge on it an smooth things out with the files and sandpaper. If it's anything like the past hour, it'll be a workout at the least. I know I probably would have been better off practicing on small ideas, but I ended up drawing out a very basic clip point with a little over a 9" overall length. I expect to make mistakes, hopefully I'll learn from them. Edge profile and heat treat are my main worries right now. I apologize in advance for the questions I'm sure will come. Any advice is appreciated, especially tips for the tools I'll be using.
 
Since it sounds like you're working with a file, let me recommend that you bite the bullet and file the bevels all the way to the spine. I know you'll be tempted to just get it sharp, but persevere! You'll be glad you did.

Look around for instructions on draw filing. Basically that's just holding the file perpendicular to the length of the knife and pulling with both hands toward you. This is a foolproof way to get the bevels reasonably flat.

Then of course, you'll be in for a boatload of sanding. :D

Good luck and ask away! And welcome to the addiction.
 
Be sure to keep the file clean with a file card or even you pant leg. file a couple rounds then pat the file on you your leg or clean it with the card this will save on deep gouges. Good Luck :D
 
You might also want to get the book:eek: :eek: , "How To Make Knives", by Barney, and Loveless. It's available from www.amazon.com , as well as most knifemakers supply houses.

It covers many methods of making knives, and sheaths. One whole chapter is devoted to making a knife with files.
 
If you have a full tang in particular but any tang make sure you drill all the pin holes before you heat treat.

That is a common mistake. We get carried away with the blade and forget to plan for the handle.

A strip of sand paper (emery Paper) on a flat stick becomes a fin file

Have fun
 
Thanks for the tips.

I've got a rough cut out of a knife now, still have to finish cutting the handle profile. Just to see how things worked, I took a piece of scrap from the blade cutout and roughed out an edge with a double cut bastard file, then used a single cut mill file to smooth it out. I plan on using the same technique to put an edge on the knife. Does the stroke direction of the file in relation to the knife matter? I plan to file it down lengthwise as I remove metal below the spine, and then use a vertical attack with the files to put on an edge. When I get closer to satisfying the overall design, I plan to use 60-150 grit sandpaper in place of the files, and then to strop the edge with the sandpaper.
Think this will work? Any obvious flaws?
Thanks again
 
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