help!!

C

ccgrip

Joined
Sep 24, 2000
Messages
1
I have been interested in custom hunting knives for years. I have decided to build some and add them to my business. I have a part time custom pistol grip business. If you want to see some of my work go to http://www.geocities.com/ccgrip This may give you an idea of my craftsmanship skills. Well I have been racking my brain for 2 weeks now on what knife kits I was gonna purchase from Jantz Supply and build custom handles and sheaths for. I am using the money from a couple of grip sales to get started which is approx. 120 dollars. I will buy asetup from Tandy Leather for the sheaths and use the rest for some blades. I have beautiful hardwoods to use for handle materials. Well I have sewn leather sheaths before and assembled 1 knife kit for a gift. I have also experimented regrinding tempered blades slowly as to not lose the temper. Well now I don't know I I want to use a blade kit. I feel like if I put it for sale on this site people are gonna laugh cause it is a "partial Custom". Every post I have read has been by people who are building their own blades. I think I would be an extreme minority. I experimented with a propane forge last fall but gave up. I am nnot ready for that yet. Okay here is my question I have the book How to Make Knives by Barney and Loveless. I have read it thoroughly for 2 years. My shop has a drill press, 2 vices, a 4x36 central tools belt/disc sander, all kinds of files and hand tools including calipers and micrometers, a bench grinder with buffing wheel, and my grandfather has all that plus a bandsaw, tablesaw, a planer and a heck of a lot more wood working tools. My attention to detail is great and I am very good with my hands(auto technician). Should I maybe start off with some raw steel( can get from Jantz supply) and file and sand my own design and send it somewhere to have it heat treated? Is that expensive. I would really rather build a complete custom knife from scratch and I know I can do it but funds are limited. And it will be a long,long time before I can afford the type of shop equipment I see being used in my book. Plus I don't want to get in debt cause I may take a long break from knifemaking this spring and resume it in the fall. I have about five hobbies plus a regular job. any suggestions. I suppose by the time you have read this far it will be bedtime sorry. Cory McAlpin
 
Cory, you can do a very nice flat grind on your 4 by 36 belt sander. I have a 6 by 48, same basic thing, and I do all my flat grinding on it. You have the most important thing you'll need to make knives, the desire! With your sander and drill press you can make a fine knife. I send my blades to Rob Simonich, a fellow Forumite and he does a fine job of heat treat and cryo quenching. Heres the link to his web site. http://www.simonichknives.com/idxtest.htm Post some pictures of the knife and ask all the questions you have. Take care and wear your safety gear! Michael

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!
http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
Welcome, Cory. Michael's right, the most important thing is desire. As for tools, you are probably starting better than most of us did. Keep in mind that knifemaking is not easy, so don't get discouraged.
I also send my blades to Rob for heat treatment.
Here is a good site to keep you busy for a little while. It definately helped (and still helps) me. http://www.engnath.com/public/intable.htm
Be sure to also check the Shop Talk/Shop Talk Archives in search. There is a lot of good information. Good luck.
 
Cory If I were You I would repair knives and put quality handles on them like the gun grips You are already making. It sounds like you are making unique gun grips and they are popular. I am full time at knifemaking and I dont have time to rehandle older knives. Most that I have done were rusty and needed a new grip and maybe a new sheath. Most have sentamental value and You can make some good money. If You take up Knife-making You will have to give up the other hobbies I think. It sounds like You already have enough tools also. You may even buy new knives and rehandle and customize them for resale. Have You ever seen a stock Harley Davidson? They are all customized! Hope this is good advice. Bruce
 
STOP!!!!! Do not ever think about knifemaking again. Do not comunicate with people on this forum!!
Go see your doctor you have the symptoms of a incurable desease.(knifeaholicisum)
You are well on your way to being unsavable as you have to many tools already and way to many other hobbies!!!!
By the way welcome to the forums you poor sick person.

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Robert
Flat Land Knife Works
rdblad@telusplanet.net
http://members.tripod.com/knifeworks/index.html
 
This sickness is alredy in his head so we might as well help him out!!!!
I had no-zip-zero-zilcch! equiptment when I made my first Knives.I took a piece of saw blade a file some sandpaper apiece of plywood and a old mini vise that I had found in the scrapyard,I then set all this on my wifes kitchen table and started working,6 months later I had a bowie and a small skinner,then my wife told me it was time to convert the old well house and I have been aquiring equiptment and new shop sense.So I guess I'm saying Where theres a will theres a way.Just jump in with both feet and dont look back,Its a long bummpy but fun ride you are about to start on.....Good Luck,Bruce

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Bruce Evans Handcrafted Knives
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The soul of the Knife begins in the Fire!!!!!
Member of,AKTI#A000223 and The American Bladesmith Society
 
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