Help getting set up for knife making

I made my grinder but bought my platen and wheels from them. Everything has been good but I don't have much to compare to. Shipping was quick but that may not matter for you. I heard some say there stuff is more budget oriented but I really haven't had issues. Burned up 1 bearing but that was after a year of use. I also made my grinder tilting. Although I love the variable speed, I rarely ever use the tilting feature so that's not a necessity. Some may disagree. If your at all handy and can cut metal square you can build a grinder really easily. There are some good build pages on here. Also Check this site out. He's done some great builds and has a ton of good info. I pitch his site a lot because it was a huge resource for me.

http://dcknives.blogspot.com/

Bow Commander said:
In some of my research of grinders I've come across Origin Blade Maker grinders. Used to be Oregon Blade Maker, I believe? Well they are a few miles away from me. Would be nice to have the manufacturer so close, for parts or repair, etc.

Anyone have experience with them? Or opinions on their design?

https://originblademaker.com/product-category/belt-grinders/
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scott kozub said:
I made my grinder but bought my platen and wheels from them. Everything has been good but I don't have much to compare to. Shipping was quick but that may not matter for you. I heard some say there stuff is more budget oriented but I really haven't had issues. Burned up 1 bearing but that was after a year of use. I also made my grinder tilting. Although I love the variable speed, I rarely ever use the tilting feature so that's not a necessity. Some may disagree. If your at all handy and can cut metal square you can build a grinder really easily. There are some good build pages on here. Also Check this site out. He's done some great builds and has a ton of good info. I pitch his site a lot because it was a huge resource for me.

http://dcknives.blogspot.com/
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing your experience with their products.
Also I've bookmarked that dck knives website you posted. I'm having fun checking out all the patterns!
 
Bow Commander said:
Ah ok. I see what you mean. Literally building the frame.



Budget is a little flexible. As long as I am getting quality tools. I support the buy once cry once theory in all my hobbies. I've been looking at a few variable grinder set ups around 1k.

Thank you for the Gough jig suggestion, I will look more into it! I have some info pulled up about it right now.


Oh my. First and foremost that is a BEAUTIFUL knife! Wow, the contrast of colors is stunning. It has a similar look of what I'd love to create eventually. What is the black material on the handle? Do I see a matching black pin inside it? Second, thank you for the detailed info on your process! Where do you typically buy your handle, spacer, pin material?



Oh wow, horsewright, that is a gorgeous knife. Looks like such a useful shape too. How do you store a kitchen knife like that? Do you make a leather sheath for it too?
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Yep, all my kitchen knives come with a leather slip type sheath:

Q08usZu.jpg


RD7gPbL.jpg
 
razor-edge-knives said:
I built my own grinder and .. Never again. I would spend much more and get one professionally made. I can't tell you how many countless hours i spent on that thing not only building it but trying to get it to track right. Check this company out, heard good things

https://kadrmaskreations.com/t/tools
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Haha duly noted. I’ve been leaning going with one professionally made as well. Wow that site has some nice deals. All those grinders are similar in look and price.

So this one, add 1.5 hp motor and vfd would be a great way to start?
https://kadrmaskreations.com/products/srg-2x72-belt-grindersander-frame-with-wheels
 
Bow Commander said:
Haha duly noted. I’ve been leaning going with one professionally made as well. Wow that site has some nice deals. All those grinders are similar in look and price.

So this one, add 1.5 hp motor and vfd would be a great way to start?
https://kadrmaskreations.com/products/srg-2x72-belt-grindersander-frame-with-wheels
Click to expand...

I would not get that one,(the tool arms aren't standardized), here you go. You will also need a small wheel attachment to be sure.

https://kadrmaskreations.com/products/srg-15-2x72-belt-grindersander-frame-with-wheels
 
Bow Commander said:
Oh my. First and foremost that is a BEAUTIFUL knife! Wow, the contrast of colors is stunning. It has a similar look of what I'd love to create eventually. What is the black material on the handle? Do I see a matching black pin inside it? Second, thank you for the detailed info on your process! Where do you typically buy your handle, spacer, pin material?
Click to expand...

Thank you! The black material is G10, and there are two hidden pins under the bolster that don't go through to the surface. All my G10 and spacer materials, and most of my pin stock, has come from Jantz. That's a great site for any newcomer to familiarize themselves with. I've also gotten pin stock on Amazon. The wood I've used so far has all been given to me, some by my father whose two favorite hobbies are woodworking and hoarding, and some from a very generous member of this forum. He supplied the claro walnut on the knife shown in that pic.

While we're on the subject of vendors, I've bought steel from New Jersey Steel Baron (a.k.a. Aldo) and Admiral Steel. Others can weigh in with other options. I know you can find small-quantity steel on Amazon (and avoid shipping) but you'll usually pay almost as much for a 12" bar as you would for a 48" bar from a steel supplier. Depends on how many knives you expect to make, I guess.

My belts have all come from Supergrit, and they're great. I know Trugrit and Combat Abrasives are other common options. Others could probably weigh in here as well, as I've only gone with Supergrit plus I'm only shopping in the 2x42 aisle.
 
In my opinion, even if outsourcing your heat treat, it's nice to have your own heat treat oven especially if you only make one knife at a time. A rockwell hardness tester is also essential. I have a portable one and it gives me the exact same readings as the big heavy ones used by my knifemaker friends. Knowing hardness is useful not only for the heat treat but teaches you about why your existing knives perform the way they do.

I used to use an underpowered 2x42" 1/3 HP belt grinder and it worked perfectly fine. No problem working with CPM 10V and S125V (with custom made ceramic belts). Then I got a 2HP 2x72" belt grinder, what I thought to be standard equipment, but it's way overpowered and eats up metal out of my hands. Now I need to get a VFD and a 3-phase motor to slow it down. And I plan to get a 2nd belt grinder so I don't have to switch the small wheels with the platen all the time. This 2nd belt grinder can be horizontal position.

I am also planning to put together a molten salt pot oven. It will be my 3rd oven. I've seen the benefits of salt pots, no decarb, can easily do many blades at once, finer grain structure, even temperature.

Then I will get a large disc grinder to make perfectly flat surfaces.
A good digital microscope to analyze steel microstructure.
A CATRA machine.

These are just some ideas for you.
 
razor-edge-knives said:
I would not get that one,(the tool arms aren't standardized), here you go. You will also need a small wheel attachment to be sure.

https://kadrmaskreations.com/products/srg-15-2x72-belt-grindersander-frame-with-wheels
Click to expand...
Ah ok! Thank you for clarifying. I’ll give that one a hard look!

Upended said:
Thank you! The black material is G10, and there are two hidden pins under the bolster that don't go through to the surface. All my G10 and spacer materials, and most of my pin stock, has come from Jantz. That's a great site for any newcomer to familiarize themselves with. I've also gotten pin stock on Amazon. The wood I've used so far has all been given to me, some by my father whose two favorite hobbies are woodworking and hoarding, and some from a very generous member of this forum. He supplied the claro walnut on the knife shown in that pic.

While we're on the subject of vendors, I've bought steel from New Jersey Steel Baron (a.k.a. Aldo) and Admiral Steel. Others can weigh in with other options. I know you can find small-quantity steel on Amazon (and avoid shipping) but you'll usually pay almost as much for a 12" bar as you would for a 48" bar from a steel supplier. Depends on how many knives you expect to make, I guess.

My belts have all come from Supergrit, and they're great. I know Trugrit and Combat Abrasives are other common options. Others could probably weigh in here as well, as I've only gone with Supergrit plus I'm only shopping in the 2x42 aisle.
Click to expand...

That black G10 is killer looking. I haven’t seen hidden pins yet, one of these days I’ll get to a point of trying that! Good to know about Jantz, I’ve been searching their site already. I love claro walnut, especially for rifle stocks. And I’ve tabbed those sites you mention, thank you for the detail.

cotdt said:
In my opinion, even if outsourcing your heat treat, it's nice to have your own heat treat oven especially if you only make one knife at a time. A rockwell hardness tester is also essential. I have a portable one and it gives me the exact same readings as the big heavy ones used by my knifemaker friends. Knowing hardness is useful not only for the heat treat but teaches you about why your existing knives perform the way they do.

I used to use an underpowered 2x42" 1/3 HP belt grinder and it worked perfectly fine. No problem working with CPM 10V and S125V (with custom made ceramic belts). Then I got a 2HP 2x72" belt grinder, what I thought to be standard equipment, but it's way overpowered and eats up metal out of my hands. Now I need to get a VFD and a 3-phase motor to slow it down. And I plan to get a 2nd belt grinder so I don't have to switch the small wheels with the platen all the time. This 2nd belt grinder can be horizontal position.

I am also planning to put together a molten salt pot oven. It will be my 3rd oven. I've seen the benefits of salt pots, no decarb, can easily do many blades at once, finer grain structure, even temperature.

Then I will get a large disc grinder to make perfectly flat surfaces.
A good digital microscope to analyze steel microstructure.
A CATRA machine.

These are just some ideas for you.
Click to expand...

Wow thank you for the ideas! Molten salt pot oven, that’s a new one to me. Sounds effective!

3fifty7 said:
I haven’t read through this whole thread but has anyone said to stop trying to spend money and start spending time?
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Are the two mutually exclusive in your experience? Lol. I’m in my shop all the time, and have many hobbies. I believe in buy once cry once. Looking forward to the failure/success process of knives.
 
scott kozub said:
I made my grinder but bought my platen and wheels from them. Everything has been good but I don't have much to compare to. Shipping was quick but that may not matter for you. I heard some say there stuff is more budget oriented but I really haven't had issues. Burned up 1 bearing but that was after a year of use. I also made my grinder tilting. Although I love the variable speed, I rarely ever use the tilting feature so that's not a necessity. Some may disagree. If your at all handy and can cut metal square you can build a grinder really easily. There are some good build pages on here. Also Check this site out. He's done some great builds and has a ton of good info. I pitch his site a lot because it was a huge resource for me.

http://dcknives.blogspot.com/
Click to expand...
I am no expert by any means but I also have made my own and also purchased a Bader 111 about 6 months ago. I am now selling my Bader and purchasing a KMG. I have just returned from an excellent knife making school and the majority of grinders were the KMG.
I had a hard time decided between the TW90 AND the KMG moag but the KMG tracks true and with the variable speed you will find it very useful in making quality knives. good luck and
 
I agree with Stacy, from everything I've read from people who have owned kmg's they are not as good as they should be.
 
scott kozub said:
I made my grinder but bought my platen and wheels from them. Everything has been good but I don't have much to compare to. Shipping was quick but that may not matter for you. I heard some say there stuff is more budget oriented but I really haven't had issues. Burned up 1 bearing but that was after a year of use. I also made my grinder tilting. Although I love the variable speed, I rarely ever use the tilting feature so that's not a necessity. Some may disagree. If your at all handy and can cut metal square you can build a grinder really easily. There are some good build pages on here. Also Check this site out. He's done some great builds and has a ton of good info. I pitch his site a lot because it was a huge resource for me.

http://dcknives.blogspot.com/
Click to expand...

Thanks for that link! What a great resource. Now I have some reading to do.
 
His site is fantastic for new makers like me. I made my grinder and heat treat oven from his info. I'm not sure if he posts here anymore but he seems to update the site pretty frequently.
 
I've also already done some reading on that site as well.

I'm starting to acquire tools to start making knives, thanks to the recommendations in this thread.
 
Well, after a ton of research and talking to other very helpful members, I made the 2x72 plunge today. Had the pleasure of meeting Jose of Pheer Grinders. Great guy! It helps being within driving distance of a grinder maker. Avoided shipping cost and he offered a cash discount. He hooked me up with a grinder with tool rest and 6” drive wheel, 1.5hp stainless motor, Lenze AC tech vfd with speed knob, some belts, and a vfd mount plate. Can’t wait to get it up and running! Everything looks really well made. Also got a small wheel attachment from Ameribrade and a few small wheels.

46278340265_3692684e14_b.jpg
 
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