Hello everyone, newbie here.

[ftgokie]

I joined this forum because my 10yr old son is wanting to make a knife. So we decided that we will have us some father son projects this winter and we will attempt to make some knives. We were thinking of just going to a local metal supply store and buying our steel, and I have a bunch of Purple heart, Birdseye maple, Cocobolo, Ebony and a bunch of other custom woods that we can use for handles.

Where can we get a relativelt cheap oven/furnace to do our heat treating?

Seriously though. he has been talking about building a knife for the last 6 months and I just started looking into this this weekend...so I know absolutely nothing about it.

Any help or leads on a used or new oven/furnace will be greatly appreciated.

Shawn

 

[RogerP]

Hi Shawn,

Welcome to the forums. This sounds like a great way to spend some quality time with your son.

For "how to" and "where to get equipment" type questions, you may have better luck in the knifemakers subforum:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/806-General-Knife-Maker-s-Discussion

The "bladesmith" and "grinder" subforums focus on forging and stock-removal methods, respectively, but there is a good deal of overlap and a great many makers willing to take the time to offer help to someone starting out.

Roger

 

[Steven65]

Hi Shawn

Welcome to BF! You have come to the right place.

I am not sure where you are posting from but one of your options might be to find a knifemaker local to you and pay him a visit. It would be most helpful for you to meet someone and see a workshop that makes knives regularly.
That way you can see the process from the beginning and he can give you sound advice on steel and heat treating.

If you were near me I could fix it up for you easily.

Your youngster is a lucky lad to have a Dad like you.

Enjoy and have fun.......Steven

 

[ftgokie]

Thanks everyone. I am from Ft Gibson, Oklahoma. I was n the US Army 15 yrs in the Infantry. I am currently 90% disabled and working full time for the Dept of Veterans Affairs in the Education Dept.