getting into the fun

Charlie Mike

Charlie Mike

Sober since 1-7-14 (still a Paranoid Nutjob)
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 1, 2000
Messages
28,365
I'm 19 years old and I KNOW that making knives is for me. I have already put designs on paper for fixed, folders, and even an auto or two. If anybody read my thread in the knife laws forum, then you'll understand that a sizeable amount of money will be coming my way. I'm going to put a portion of that into materials and equipment. I want to focus on making folders, though I have made a few fixed blades in the past.
I need to know what kind of machinery I should be looking at to make specifically liner locking folders and maybe autos. A knifemaker here in Fresno told me about Paul Bos heat treating his knives, so I've got the heat treating covered.
Anything would help.

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The meek shall inherit the earth because they stay up late and change the will.

[This message has been edited by solid_soldier (edited 03-28-2001).]
 
Good to see another young guy getting into knifemaking.

If you really think it's for you, then get the best equipment. In the long run, it saves you money, time, and much frustration.

My folder experience is in lock-backs, I haven't even tried a liner-lock yet...but to me, there are a few tools for a guy wanting to get into it that are essential.

Number one is a drill press, and number two is a belt sander. I use my belt sander far more than my drill press, but if you can't drill a smooth, perpendicular hole for your folders...you're sunk.

Then it's a toss up between a milling machine and a surface grinder. I recently purchased both.

A small lathe is nice for making things like bushings (and for liner locks: stop pins, thumb bobs, etc.).

This is a great place for help. I've learned a lot from the guys that hang around here
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Don't hesitate to ask questions!

Nick

 
Thanks for the info. I already know that I'll be needing a milling machine. I had some experience in a gunsmith shop. Can you recommend any brands of machinery. I'm going to be doing a lot of work with titanium. I have an idea for a CA legal coil spring auto for my mother. Titanium liners and blade anodized purple with black and purple micarta scales. Sorry about the digression, but it really sucks to have all these ideas and no equipment to bring them to life.

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The meek shall inherit the earth because they stay up late and change the will.
 
There are some TOP folder makers (Like Tim Hermann) who use a disk sander instead of a belt sander for folders. I'd be looking into disk versus belt if you want to stick with folders.

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"Come What May..."
 
Using a disk sander to grind the blade??? Sounds like it's worth a try. I'll probably end up buying both.

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The meek shall inherit the earth because they stay up late and change the will.
 
It isn't as looney of an idea as it sounds!! They guy (Les Allen) who taught me how to grind taught me on a disc sander, and I made a fixed blade! A small fixed blade, but it was definitely larger than many folders out there. The disk works fast and when you need to change paper, all you do is heat it up with a torch quikd, peel off the paper, place a new sheet on, cut off the excess, sand the edge real quick (turn on the disk and touch the edge with some of the cut off sand paper) and voila! You need cork backing and spray adhesive too; now you know everything I do about disk sanders!!

I must admit that a drill press is even more important than a sander though.

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"Come What May..."
 
If you're going to work with titanium, make sure every piece of abrasive equipment (such as belt grinders and disc sanders) is variable speed.

You will save lots of money on belts and discs, and you will work safer (without all those nasty sparks flying around!)
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A slow speed (or variable speed) disc sander will also allow you to get handle materials flat a lot faster than hand sanding.

There are also certain belts, drills, and milling cutters that work best on titanium.

You can find lots of information on drilling, sawing, and grinding titanium on "The Folder Forum" at:

www.KnifeForums.com


Tom Anderson
Hand Crafted Knives

www.andersoncustomknives.com


[This message has been edited by Tom Anderson (edited 03-29-2001).]
 
A metal cutting bandsaw is a must. Also, a good variable speed grinder (a Bader B3 is very popular, followed by hardcore and wilton VS models) is great to have. A good belt sander does much more than grind blades! it will shape handles, grind liners, make everything flush, etc.

A drill press is needed. Milling machine and tapping heads are also a good tool to have, as well as a variety of drills, chucks, reamers, taps, etc.

A good vise and set of hand files is nice for filework and intricate work.

Dust collection system is also a big plus, as well as a respirator! Never can be too careful!

A solid workbench is a MUST. IF your bench is wobbly, it will drive you crazy!

Also, buy some of the books and videos out there for a reference base.

Buy steel, handle materials, epoxy, screws, etc, also!
 
solid_soldier:

Visiting other knifemakers' shops is a good option. Just show them a little respect, listen well, and they'll probably tell you anything you want to know!
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Tom Anderson
Hand Crafted Knives

[This message has been edited by Tom Anderson (edited 03-29-2001).]
 
solid solder, I recommend that you visit other makers' shops if you can. You get to see what they use, and think about what you may need. One thing that you want to keep in mind is that you will be making the knives not the machines. I say this because I have found it to be true in my own work.
 
Well, Tom, you have that stuff in your shop!
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Also, it is what my machinist's shop has back home that i can use if I want
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I get to play with the toys, and not have to buy them!!!!

Aren't you supposed to be working, TOM????
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[This message has been edited by Taz (edited 03-29-2001).]
 
Soldier, I just read your post in the laws forum about what happened. That is total BS! I am a fellow Criminal Justice student. Good luck with your case and Iam a newbie knife maker, so I most likely have asked all of the newbie questions, so if you need help, let me know!
 
I read about your mishap in the Socialist Republic of Kalifornia. I guess you are working on the assupmtion your are going to get a nice sum for your hassle. Never count your eggs, blah, blah, blah...

Buy some knifemaking books or videos before you buy any equipment. The Loveless video and book are the best, Terzuola makes a tactical folders book. Allen Blade has some great grinding videos.

Learn to make fixed blades first. Walk before you run. You will learn the fundamentals of grinding, handle shaping, and fit & finish that will help you transition to folders much easier. Fixed blades are more forgiving of errors.

Are you still planning on entering the Marines? Where are you going to keep all this new equipment? How are you going to make knives on a six month cruise or if you get stationed in Okinawa?

It is not enough to want to make knives...make sure you can make knives
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"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
George Orwell
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[This message has been edited by dogman (edited 03-29-2001).]
 
Start with fixed blades. then make some folding knife kits. These will give you patterns to work with and teach you how a folder works. Also, check out the liner lock tutorial on Knifeforums.com in the folder forum, and on http://www.customknifedirectory.com/ they have a tutorials link.

a little side note, are my posts showing up here??
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum51/HTML/002887.html

[This message has been edited by Taz (edited 03-29-2001).]
 
I'm still joining the USMC. My mother says its cool to keep my stuff at her house, especially after I showed her my design for her all titanium CA legal auto. In my "planning it out on paper", I am having difficulty with the whole firing/locking button. I know the concept, but I need to get it more compact. Anybody happen to have an eploded view of... say a BM stryker auto???

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The meek shall inherit the earth because they stay up late and change the will.
 
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