Getting started making knives

S

steelerfan88

Joined
Feb 16, 2015
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I am about to take the plunge into the knife making world and am shopping for my start up equipment. I am patient and meticulous by nature and have no doubts I can have good success at this. I know that sounds a little arrogant but I know "me" and what I am capable of doing. I taught myself to build tube amplifiers from scratch a few years ago and THAT my friends is no easy task. I do not play guitar much anymore and have gotten bored with amp building over the years so I am going to try my hand at knife making. I have been wanting to do this for a few years and now have the dough to start it up after selling off a lot of my music gear/toys. Anyway.....here is a list of my major purchases I intend to pick up over the next few months. Give it a look and let me know if I am choosing wisely. Thanks to all who look and comment:thumbup:

1. KMG 2"x72" flat platen package with 3 speed pulley system 1.5HP/110v
2. Milwaukee deep cut porta-band saw
3. Portable band saw table from SWAGOFFROAD for above listed saw
4. Delta 12" disc sander 1HP/110v
5. Buffing machine....I have not decided on actual maker/model yet

I will buy the "extras" for the KMG after I use it a little and figure out what I want/need in addition to the base unit I order. Buying all the different belts, polishing mops and extras go's without saying....I'll get'em. I will also want some sort of 1" belt sander for finish work on handles and such. I already own plenty of hand tools,clamps,files and such. I also have a new variable speed Ryobi 12" drill press.....Dewalt 8" bench grinder among other power tools. I think the above list should get me started pretty well. I am a firm believer in "buy once...cry once" when it comes to tools. I don't mind paying for quality up front and getting on with it :thumbup:
I won't have to worry about handle stock as my father has a vast stockpile of HUNDREDS of board feet he inherited from my grandfather who was a custom cabinet maker. I'm talkin' boards of solid walnut, maple, cherry and wormy chesnut 1"x10"x 10' ! This is the stuff people dream of finding ! old stuff from the 1950's-1970's ! I'll have enough exotic handle material to last a lifetime....THANKS DAD ! I intend to order A1 & D2 tool steel stock on-line and cut out my designs with the porta-band then grind them out on the KMG......send them off to Peters up in PA for heat treat then finish them up after they return. I still have to decide on a stamping/maker's mark system to use.....that'll come later I guess once I can make a knife worthy to show off....LOL :thumbup:
.....before anyone asks....NO ! NONE OF THE WOOD WILL BE FOR SALE ! My cranky/aged father told me I could have it all for my own use but never sell it. I made him that promise and I will honor that. I am SOOOOO fortunate to have access to this stuff and I am grateful he is giving to me. He is 80 now and his wood working days are over (sadly) but it makes him happy to see it being used by a third generation woodworker/builder :thumbup:
 
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Looks pretty good, think about how you are going to fasten the handles, and sanding. Are you using pins, Colby bolts, loveless. Some need step drills. Get a supply of good sandpaper, you will need a bunch for the blades and handles.

I am not a big fan of using a 1" for handles, easy to mess up with the edge of the belt leaving scar the may not be fixable.

What type of knife do you plan to make, chef, hunter, survival?
 
Yeah....I plan on getting PLENTY of sandpaper. I do not think I will use any type of mechanical device/fasteners for my handles. I never cared for the way they look. I prefer the sleek & smooth look of a solid handle. I love the look of ANZA knives and the way he does his handles and I will follow his method of doing them. I will do a thorough prep and bond them with Brownell's Acraglass. It is a super strong epoxy compound used in the bedding of firearms' actions. REALLY GOOD STUFF ! I have used this stuff in a variety of uses on many different materials and have never seen it fail. I know some will say other wise but in the years and many uses I have experience with, it will be just fine :) Believe it or not, I even used it to reattach a front sight post on a 1911 pistol frame that was damaged and I have put over 500 rounds downrange with no issues. If it can handle the recoil of my .45, I think it will be just fine to hold on knife handles...LOL :thumbup:
My knives will have scandi and high-flat grinds (my personal favs)I am working on 4 basic designs as we speak: neck knife 2" blade...EDC 3.5" blade...bushcraft 5" blade and a tactical 6.5" blade. They are simple in design yet functional. Not overly flashy be any means. I am going to like this hobby a lot I think ! Not nearly as tedious and time consuming as hand built electronic circuits that I have been doing for the last few years :thumbup:
 
Best of luck in your knife making adventure.

I've always maintained that anyone with sufficient motivation can eventually learn to make knives. It sounds like you have a background in making things, so you should be fine.

As for your grinder, have you considered the TW-90 or the Esteem?
 
Unless you've got an extreme supply of 12" discs I'd look at one just under
9" so you can use standard sheets of paper.
Ken.
 
kc custom said:
Unless you've got an extreme supply of 12" discs I'd look at one just under
9" so you can use standard sheets of paper.
Ken.
Click to expand...

Damn good advise Ken. I never thought of that. I was going to go 12" just for the overall size & mass which equates to less vibration and easier to work with. I learned long ago that bigger/ heavier machines work better and last longer but it my not be needed on such small objects such as knives. I know 12" discs can get pricey but I plan on sinking a lot of dough into good, quality materials to work with. Cheap tools & materials= headaches.....Quality tools & materials=less problems with quicker results.....just my past experiences doing things :thumbup: I'll have to look into the grit availability with 12" discs to make sure I can get a good variety but a 12" disc sander is sooooo useful for a lot of projects in addition to knife making :)
 
Some people DO start off pretty darn good to begin with, however I 'm suggesting you get yourself some mild steel in 1/8" and 5/32" to practice on.
Frank
 
You might consider going with a variable speed set up for your grinders. You can use it on both machines as long as you get the 3 phase motors.
 
Getting some practice in on cheap stock go's without saying....as far as variable speeds go, I will make do with a fixed 3 speed....it will do just fine. I would need to rewire my garage for 3 phase operation and to me....not worth the trouble and exspense. Now if I were to ever need to set up some sort of production....that is an entirely different animal 🐶
 
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