Getting into knife making...

nelsonmc

nelsonmc

Joined
Jan 14, 2005
Messages
1,225
Lately after reading a lot around here I've started filing the spines of my knives and trying to make what I got look and feel better. That's all going fine but I want to make my own knife (or knives). I was wondering if anybody had some suggestions on how to really get into it? Any books? videos? or even schooling? I hope this hasn't been covered 100 times before and I hope this is the right place to ask.
 
Check out the tutorials on Dan Gray's website. Look for videos from Center Cross Instructional Videos. Keep reading here, but if you want real information you'll have to ask a more specific question. This is just too broad to address reasonably. Good luck!
 
Thanks I will check that out and probably be back with some more specific questions. :cool:

Do you have a link to his site? I googled but came up empty.

Edit: Nevermind, found the link.
 
Thanks a lot guys.. I think tomorrow I'm going to go out and find some steel and see what I can get done. It's going to be all by hand, filing, etc.. Should be interesting. How did you all get into knife making and how long did your first knife take to make?
 
Get, and read the book, "How To Make Knives", by Richard Barney, and Robert Loveless.
It's available at www.amazon.com, as well as most knifemakers supply houses.

It shows about 4 main ways to make a knife, including using files, and will give you a good foundation upon which to build.
You will get a better idea of the tools that will be needed later, should you decide to get serious, etc.
It also covers several type of sheathmaking.
 
I haven't finished a knife yet (so I'm not really a knife maker)

But it isn't that hard to get started in it. You need some sort of grinder (a cheap dual stone bench grinder works well for me), you need a clamp, a few files (I use the cheap ones, they are good enough for a few knives each), lots of sandpaper (120 grit up to 1200 grit), and lots and lots of patience. Obviously you'll need some steel to start off with, there has to be a place in your city where you can buy steel, or order some to your place.

At the moment I'm waiting for my knives to come back from heat treat (fingers crossed for no warpage or HT damage), and then I'll get started on handles. Gotta send another order off for handle and pin materials soon.
 
Don't do it. Once you start there is no turning back. You will start dreaming and talking about knives all the time. Then you start collecting woods, horns, antlers and etc. The worst part is the tools and the more tools.
But the best part you meet allot of good people (even Higgy). ;) :D
PS: If you ever get to Mass. you have a invite to my shop. We (NECKA) have Hammer-Ins a couple times a year.
 
indian george said:
Don't do it. Once you start there is no turning back. You will start dreaming and talking about knives all the time. Then you start collecting woods, horns, antlers and etc. The worst part is the tools and the more tools.
But the best part you meet allot of good people (even Higgy). ;) :D
PS: If you ever get to Mass. you have a invite to my shop. We (NECKA) have Hammer-Ins a couple times a year.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the invite, very gracious of you. My girlfriends sister lives near Boston and she's mentioned us visiting them. Now I won't mind being dragged up there when the time comes! ;)
 
Welcome and you're in the company of some of the finest people in the biz. I've learned so much here in such a short period of time. Not only will you become a knifemaking addict but you'll be hooked on BF shoptalk and always wonder if you're missing something good if you're not online. I don't know as much as some of these guys, but if I can help let me know. ;)
Scott
 
Follow all the good advice already given here. If you ever want to make damascus, buy Jim Hrisoulas' books and video. That is how I learned and got addicted.
 
nelsonmc said:
Thanks a lot guys.. I think tomorrow I'm going to go out and find some steel and see what I can get done. It's going to be all by hand, filing, etc.. Should be interesting. How did you all get into knife making and how long did your first knife take to make?
Click to expand...
Here's a nice knife making tutorial using hand tools:
http://hossom.com/tutorial/jonesy/
Regards,
Greg
 
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