Getting into knife making

[Erich-2005]

I’m in high school and I like fixing up old machines and other handy things. I am getting into knife making and I recently saved up a couple hundred dollars what would y’all recommend getting as an introduction to knife making.such as sander grinder files etc...

 

[3fifty7]

Getting to know knife makers in your area and a class if any are offered.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

I’m in high school and I like fixing up old machines and other handy things. I am getting into knife making and I recently saved up a couple hundred dollars what would y’all recommend getting as an introduction to knife making.such as sander grinder files etc...

I started with files. You’ll learn a lot about working metal. Also A inexpensive drill press from Harbor Freight, Grizzly. Google knife makers in your area. There are groups as well called hammer ins. Also ask a moderator to move this toKnife makers thread. You will have many more Knife makers & info there in the Stickies at the top. Welcome & good luck with our disease!

 

[Erich-2005]

I started with files. You’ll learn a lot about working metal. Also A inexpensive drill press from Harbor Freight, Grizzly. Google knife makers in your area. There are groups as well called hammer ins. Also ask a moderator to move this toKnife makers thread. You will have many more Knife makers & info there in the Stickies at the top. Welcome & good luck with our disease!

Thanks, yeah I’m having issue using this forum lol. I bought a wen 8” press and a file and made the gough jig. I live in Louisiana so I bet there’s a lot of people here into knife making. My last school had blacksmithing courses but I moved... also is this More of a hobby or could I potentially turn this into a job one day?

 

[fishface5]

Try it as a hobby and see if it turns into a compulsion. From what I can tell it's not easy to make a decent living as a knifemaker unless you are a talented craftsman AND have an eye for design AND are good at marketing.

To save a lot of time you will want a drill press and a belt grinder and an angle grinder and a good vise. But a good start is to buy old knives cheap and fix them up before you start making blades from scratch.

But mostly, READ. There is head-swimming amount of great information here at BF!!!

 

[fishface5]

Double tap

 

[scott kozub]

You can also purchase blade blanks from the usual retailers or someone like jt. You'll just have to file in you're bevels, heat treat and handle. That's a great way to start.

That'll save you the profiling stage which at least requires an angle grinder and a belt grinder or files. Hack saw will work as youre young with lots of energy. Better yet is a bandsaw (lots of guys just you the harbor freight band porta band) and better still is a water jet.

I heard a great comment once something along the lines of "Expensive tools don't give your knives quality. You're paying for time efficiency." Basically you can make a very high quality knife with very basic tools. In fact I think will stelter recently did a video of this on alec steels you tube page when he started working from home because of covid. You may want to check it out.

 

[3fifty7]

I live in Louisiana

What part of the state, I’m in Bunkie basically the geographic center of the state.
There are a few members and makers on this forum from Louisiana, many more makers all over the state who are not on the forum too.

 

[J-T-K]

I heard a great comment once something along the lines of "Expensive tools don't give your knives quality. You're paying for time efficiency." Basically you can make a very high quality knife with very basic tools. In fact I think will stelter recently did a video of this on alec steels you tube page when he started working from home because of covid. You may want to check it out.

If you start with a readymade blade, I made my first knife recently with the following tools:
- Knife
- Hammer
- Rasp and file
- Tenon saw
- Small cordless drill
- Epoxy glue
- Sandpaper
- Workbench with vice
- Mask

I had pretty much all that stuff bar the epoxy and the rasp already. With more tools it would have been quicker but also much more of an investment.

 

[Hengelo_77]

Read all you can and just get some known knife steel.
Make your first with hand tools only(and a drill press)
If you fix old machines, you probobaly have enough tools to start.
If you enjoy knife making you'll end up spending your money on stuff you can't imagin needing when you're just starting.
Just go with it.

 

[Shane Csepp]

Welcome to the Obsession!!

I made my first couple knives with files, a HF 1x30, 18V Hand Drill, and elbow grease. It will take A LOT of time, but take your time, realize things won't be perfect the first go around, and learn along the way. If it sticks with you, you will find ways to make or acquire new tools.

 

[weo]

I recently saved up a couple hundred dollars what would y’all recommend getting as an introduction to knife making

I'd recommend spending that cash on joining the local knife making or blacksmithing organization and/or take a one day or weekend class from a local maker.

It's not uncommon for instructors to help newbies by selling off older tools they no longer use, and/or offer to have you come back to their shop if you show enough patience, enthusiasm and willingness to put in the necessary effort to make a quality project. When I got started in blacksmithing over 12 years ago, I was fortunate to become friends with a full time smith and have time to help him with a big project he was doing. I spent at least a 1/2 day a week at his shop holding things, cleaning off scale, learning how to be a striker, etc for ~5-6 months. During that time and in the following couple of years, he gave me (or let me borrow until I got my own), a metal band saw, 165lb peter wright anvil in really good condition, a basic set of tongs, plenty of steel, help to build my own forge, and lots more time in his shop using his power hammers, forge and experience over the years.