How To Getting Into Knife-Making

[Wyatt Flora]

So, I'm a relatively new member here, and came here to ask some questions on knife-making and just so I can have an extra place to get info on knives in general.
I'm a bit younger than the average knife-maker, but I come from a line of mechanics, so hopefully, I will be able to make a knife.

I'm not 100% sure if this is the right sub-forum, so correct me if I'm wrong.

I had asked a member on the site Bushcraft USA how to get into knife-making.
He showed me BladeForums (To get info.) which I had been lurking and I finally thought that it was time to make an account.

So, the question is pretty much in the title.
How to get into knife-making?

I'm talking about bare bones at first.
I have some experience with metal, but not in the knife industry type metals so that probably doesn't mean much.

I would love to get into it and make some quality knives that would be good enough to sell. (Eventually. It would obviously take time. I'm patient.)

So, I have pretty much all the tools that I need besides a few odds and ends type tools and the forge.
I've heard about making your own forge and wondered what your thoughts were on homemade forges.

(And, to boot, I'm trying to keep this as low-cost as possible, although I don't want to go cheap on something that would break on me eventually.)

Also, just any tips and tricks would be appreciated.
Tools that make it easier, (Without going into ridiculously expensive machinery. I mean, we all know that a laser cutter or a waterjet would make cutting blanks easier.)

Stuff along the lines of that.

Thanks in advance!

God bless,
- Wyatt

 

[DeadboxHero]

Right on Wyatt, I say just create a simple design you think you can create and make it.

I think when you first get started all the information is overwhelming and it's difficult to figure out what is pertinent.

In the beginning, it's not so much a lack of information as much as a lack of experience.

It's more important to suffer through getting a few blades made and learning from each one and deciding if it's worth investing into tools to make the knife making process quicker or spend all your time trying to fiddle with tools.

I think what works best when you first get started is raw experience from making.


Make a bunch of knives and you'll learn from each one and have a better idea of what questions to ask and tools that are a priority.

Best of luck

So, I'm a relatively new member here, and came here to ask some questions on knife-making and just so I can have an extra place to get info on knives in general.
I'm a bit younger than the average knife-maker, but I come from a line of mechanics, so hopefully, I will be able to make a knife.

I'm not 100% sure if this is the right sub-forum, so correct me if I'm wrong.

I had asked a member on the site Bushcraft USA how to get into knife-making.
He showed me BladeForums (To get info.) which I had been lurking and I finally thought that it was time to make an account.

So, the question is pretty much in the title.
How to get into knife-making?

I'm talking about bare bones at first.
I have some experience with metal, but not in the knife industry type metals so that probably doesn't mean much.

I would love to get into it and make some quality knives that would be good enough to sell. (Eventually. It would obviously take time. I'm patient.)

So, I have pretty much all the tools that I need besides a few odds and ends type tools and the forge.
I've heard about making your own forge and wondered what your thoughts were on homemade forges.

(And, to boot, I'm trying to keep this as low-cost as possible, although I don't want to go cheap on something that would break on me eventually.)

Also, just any tips and tricks would be appreciated.
Tools that make it easier, (Without going into ridiculously expensive machinery. I mean, we all know that a laser cutter or a waterjet would make cutting blanks easier.)

Stuff along the lines of that.

Thanks in advance!

God bless,
- Wyatt

 

[Wyatt Flora]

Right on Wyatt, I say just create a simple design you think you can create and make it.

I think when you first get started all the information is overwhelming and it's difficult to figure out what is pertinent.

In the beginning, it's not so much a lack of information as much as a lack of experience.

It's more important to suffer through getting a few blades made and learning from each one and deciding if it's worth investing into tools to make the knife making process quicker or spend all your time trying to fiddle with tools.

I think what works best when you first get started is raw experience from making.


Make a bunch of knives and you'll learn from each one and have a better idea of what questions to ask and tools that are a priority.

Best of luck

Those are some really good points!
Thank you.
Since I see you're a knife-maker yourself, do you know of a good beginner steel that isn't super expensive, but will make an "alright" knife?
Thank you for the help!
God bless,
-Wyatt

 

[Shane Csepp]

I would suggest some simple high carbon steel to start with. 1084 is very inexpensive and it fairly easy to heat treat. Several online knife supply stores will sell it in many different sizes. I suggest taking a look at AlphaKnifeSupply.com

 

[weo]

Welcome, Wyatt.

How to get into knife-making?

My suggestions:
1) Read the stickies at the top of this forum, if you haven't already
2) Use the search function (again, in the stickies) for what you typed in the title/subject of this thread. This question has been asked and answered many times in the past.
3) Find and join whatever blacksmithing group is in your area. Most of them have knifemakers, and in my experience, many are willing to have allow you to visit, and if you're lucky, one of them might even mentor you in exchange for helping around the shop.
4) Fill out your profile so we can know where you are and guide you better. For example, if you were in the PNW, I'd suggest joining the NWBA.

 

[SBuzek]

If you haven't done so already read the second thread at the top of this page. tips for new makers.
1084 Is a great steel, relatively inexpensive and pretty easy for home heat treat.
also if possible run away from this as fast as possible, you will shortly have no more money or free time,

 

[Wyatt Flora]

Welcome, Wyatt.
My suggestions: Read the stickies at the top of this forum, if you haven't already
Use the search function (again, in the stickies) for what you typed in the title/subject of this thread. This question has been asked and answered many times in the past.

Ah man, my fault.
I didn't check those out.
Thank you for the help!
God bless,
- Wyatt

 

[weo]

Not a problem....
oh, and I forgot to add
5) Have fun!

 

[Wyatt Flora]

I would suggest some simple high carbon steel to start with. 1084 is very inexpensive and it fairly easy to heat treat. Several online knife supply stores will sell it in many different sizes. I suggest taking a look at AlphaKnifeSupply.com

If you haven't done so already read the second thread at the top of this page. tips for new makers.
1084 Is a great steel, relatively inexpensive and pretty easy for home heat treat.
also if possible run away from this as fast as possible, you will shortly have no more money or free time,

I heard that 1084 was one of the best beginner steels.
The member I spoke to on BCUSA (A Seedy Lot. Didn't know if you guys had heard about him.) said that 1084 would be one of the best to start with.
He also gave me some info on other steels, including CPM Cru-Wear, which I won't be working with for a while, but it's one of my "dream" steels, so I would love to eventually.
I will not buy any though until I have mastered the craft.
Thank you guys for the suggestions!
God bless,
- Wyatt

 

[DeadboxHero]

Those are some really good points!
Thank you.
Since I see you're a knife-maker yourself, do you know of a good beginner steel that isn't super expensive, but will make an "alright" knife?
Thank you for the help!
God bless,
-Wyatt

I'd go with 8670 Carbon steel.
That is the best beginner steel and also a good steel for a tough knife.

Alpha Knife Supply sells in small quantities. Buy several pieces not just one piece.

Pops knife supply also carries and sells in longer pieces if you want to buy in larger quantities.

You'll need to overcome the mental block that the steel is too precious to waste so it helps having more of it so you're not afraid to learn and make mistakes.

Start with around ~0.100" stock thickness. That will give you a decent thickness to grind off decarb and without making the blade so thin it flexs on you when grinding.
It also will help you with heating using rudimentary means when not being too thick.

Keep the first few blades small so you can learn more each blade and get the hang of it.

8" overall length is a good place to start with a design.


You'll always have a billion questions but just keep them quiet and see what you can do. It will help organize your questions more and somethings will make more sense by doing then discussing.

The search feature is a very handy resource.

 

[Wyatt Flora]

I'd go with 8670 Carbon steel.
That is the best beginner steel and also a good steel for a tough knife.

Alpha Knife Supply sells in small quantities. Buy several pieces not just one piece.

Pops knife supply also carries and sells in longer pieces if you want to buy in larger quantities.

You'll need to overcome the mental block that the steel is too precious to waste so it helps having more of it so you're not afraid to learn and make mistakes.

Start with around ~0.100" stock thickness. That will give you a decent thickness to grind off decarb and without making the blade so thin it flexs on you when grinding.
It also will help you with heating using rudimentary means when not being too thick.

Keep the first few blades small so you can learn more each blade and get the hang of it.

8" overall length is a good place to start with a design.


You'll always have a billion questions but just keep them quiet and see what you can do. It will help organize your questions more and somethings will make more sense by doing then discussing.

The search feature is a very handy resource.

I'll try to find some 8670 and 1084 then! (Might just start with one though.)
I'll also start looking in the stickies and use that search function.
I believe I'm going to try and model the knife off of my JD custom, (Obviously without stealing his design.) which is around that 8" OAL mark.
Thanks for the advice!
God bless,
- Wyatt

 

[Bill DeShivs]

You don't need a forge. Forging knives offers no mechanical advantage over stock removal.

 

[DeadboxHero]

Just pick one, you can steel whore later.

Only one. Focus

I'll try to find some 8670 and 1084 then! (Might just start with one though.)
I'll also start looking in the stickies and use that search function.
I believe I'm going to try and model the knife off of my JD custom, (Obviously without stealing his design.) which is around that 8" OAL mark.
Thanks for the advice!
God bless,
- Wyatt

 

[Wyatt Flora]

You don't need a forge. Forging knives offers no mechanical advantage over stock removal.

I meant to heat the blade up for heat treating.
Unless I'm wrong on that. (Which I probably am.)
God bless,
- Wyatt

 

[Wyatt Flora]

Just pick one, you can steel whore later.

Only one. Focus

Alright then, which one do you recommend out of the two?
So far we have at least 2 votes for 1084, and then you for 8670.
God bless,
- Wyatt

 

[AVigil]

You can get 01 and A2 at places like KBC tools, Graingers and Fastenal and might have on locally to buy from.
Place like Trugrit, Texas knifemaker and Jarrod Todd can do single blade heat treat.

There is no such thing as "Beginner steel". That is a misnomer and should be struck from the lexicon of knifemaking.

There are steels that can be heat treated easily by a new maker, but the maker is the "beginner" not the steel.

You can just as easily as a beginner use AEB-L stainless and have it heat treated as easily as 1084.

As for "Mastering the craft" do not wait for that, it is not going to happen anytime soon. Just find a knife you admire and work until you can replicate the design, fit and finish.

Anyone can learn to make a knife in a weekend, but then spend the rest of their lives trying to make their best knife ever.

 

[Wyatt Flora]

You can get 01 and A2 at places like KBC tools, Graingers and Fastenal and might have on locally to buy from.
Place like Trugrit, Texas knifemaker and Jarrod Todd can do single blade heat treat.

There is no such thing as "Beginner steel". That is a misnomer and should be struck from the lexicon of knifemaking.

There are steels that can be heat treated easily by a new maker, but the maker is the "beginner" not the steel.

You can just as easily as a beginner use AEB-L stainless and have it heat treated as easily as 1084.

As for "Mastering the craft" do not wait for that, it is not going to happen anytime soon. Just find a knife you admire and work until you can replicate the design, fit and finish.

Anyone can learn to make a knife in a weekend, but then spend the rest of their lives trying to make their best knife ever.

I guess I shouldn't have said: "Master the craft"
It's kinda like woodworking... to an extent.
You're just going to keep trying to one-up yourself, which will never end in you "mastering" it.

What I should have said is "Become better at the craft" before I ever go into harder and more expensive steels. (And just materials in general.)

Thank you for your help!
God bless,
- Wyatt

 

[DeadboxHero]

Guess it depends on the end goals, if someone wants to DIY Heat treatment with rudimentary gear it would be a waste of more expensive steel.


Experience is the most significant factor for beginners, so it makes more sense to start with a steel that is lower cost, easy to grind and finish and forgiving to DIY HT if they desire.

That's why we have steels that are recommend to beginners.

It's not steel selection that's holding new makers back, it's experience.

You can get 01 and A2 at places like KBC tools, Graingers and Fastenal and might have on locally to buy from.
Place like Trugrit, Texas knifemaker and Jarrod Todd can do single blade heat treat.

There is no such thing as "Beginner steel". That is a misnomer and should be struck from the lexicon of knifemaking.

There are steels that can be heat treated easily by a new maker, but the maker is the "beginner" not the steel.

You can just as easily as a beginner use AEB-L stainless and have it heat treated as easily as 1084.

As for "Mastering the craft" do not wait for that, it is not going to happen anytime soon. Just find a knife you admire and work until you can replicate the design, fit and finish.

Anyone can learn to make a knife in a weekend, but then spend the rest of their lives trying to make their best knife ever.

 

[AVigil]

That's why we have steels that are recommend to beginners.

Yes but it is doing harm to call them "beginner steel"

1084 is a great steel and some of the very best Smiths use it in their blades, but to many knife customers they do not want 1084, 1095, A2, 01 etc. because people have given them labels they do not deserve

 

[DeadboxHero]

Fair point but the big secret is it's not the steel, it's the maker. So there should be no insecurities.

If the design, quality and fit and finish geometry and heat treatment is good enough no one will look down upon using 1084.

Most folks realize it's better to have a high quality knife in 1084 then a low quality knife with trash HT and grinds in Rex121 that doesn't cut good.

That's why for a beginner, it's important to focus on experience and building skills, not buying steel to chase the name of the steel which is something that can't be used to its full potential yet.

There is no denying that some of the higher tech steels will cut longer in controlled testing, but that's not what's holding any maker back, magic steel doesn't make the maker, sum of all parts is always king.

I use exotic steels because that is my passion, I'd never turn my nose up at a quality product if the steel is 1084, sum of all parts, if the knife is good it's good.

Personally, I do enjoy having more hardness and carbide volume cause thats what I like, I'm an edge junkie, but it's not always cost effective or always fun to make knives with.

Room for all kinds, from makers to customers folks should just be themselves.

Beginners are beginners, they need focus to help them start the journey, that's why those steels are labeled for them to help them get started so they can worry about what is important.

Yes but it is doing harm to call them "beginner steel"

1084 is a great steel and some of the very best Smiths use it in their blades, but to many knife customers they do not want 1084, 1095, A2, 01 etc. because people have given them labels they do not deserve