getting started

[Colt T]

hey guys and gals, im new here and i need some advice about what tools i might consider buying for knife making. ive been making knives for almost 1 year now but it has been using more conventional tools (i have the biggest file collection known to man) and while i like the precision of my files and dremel, i want to speed it up a bit. so what tools do you recomend i buy anfet i move into the new house and build a home shop?

thanks

 

[Dakota 11]

well i know most will say a belt grinder of some sorts i was using the file route for 3 knifes and it was slow . i got a grizzly grinder and it speed up the stock removal and bevel making so much it wasnt funny. even with the belt grinder i still need to draw file my bevel to get it goot and even . takes so pratice to get the feel . hope to have it down in 6-9 months. also i would say some kind of drill press i use mine every day.

 

[J.D.]

I have been making knives for three years now and have a few suggestions on tools. You will really want to get a good belt grinder, a variable speed such as the Bader B-3 if possiable, with the small wheel arm and the combination arm, this will take alot of hand work out of making knives. And if you want to heat treat your own blades a heat treat oven is the way to go on that, alot more predictable than a forge is for the less experienced, like myself. Like Dakota 11 said a drill press is a must. If you don't want to spend alot of money for a grinder, any good belt sander in the 1-2 inch belt width will be a big help, I flat ground alot of blades on a old Delta 1x42" belt sander, worked good, but the Bader is alot better. hope this helps