How do I get started?

J

JHall

Joined
Jan 6, 2000
Messages
46
Hello, I have been interested in knives for some time and have recently decided that I would like to start making my own. I have been doing research on the web, but the amount of information is almost overwhelming! I have no tools (for knifemaking anyway) and would not like to purchase any power tools yet. I think that there would be a lot of value to doing the first few strictly by hand (also, if I suck at it I'm not out a ton of money)
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I would like to make fixed blade hunters right now, maybe progressing to some folders as skill permits. I would like everyones advise on the best hand tools to use, best steel to use starting out, good suggested reading, TECHNIQUE, anything at all that I can pick your brain for. If you think that it is too long to post, please email it to me (jhall@family-net.net). Any help you can give a struggling beginner is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
A little followup - things I think I should say before people start yelling at me
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I have read all of the posts on this forum that look like they deal with this topic, and have gained some great info. However, they either don't seem to be exactly what I am looking for (i.e. talk mostly about using grinders, etc...) or I feel that they are still a bit over my head. I am looking for bare bones basic here. Also, I have looked at (and have bookmarked) the Engath site, Don Fogg, and a few others. Again, any advice, encouragement, scorn
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etc... that you can offer is greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
 
JHall,

You are starting in a good direction by asking questions here and doing some research.
I would suggest that you start out using files and sandpaper. Keep your designs simple at first to get the hang of removing metal. Starting out on a grinder can discourage anyone. My first attempt at a blade sucked so badly that I refuse to show it to anyone else. But I did not let that get me down.

Files
Sandpaper
hand held drill
You can make a knife using those three tools.

Read anything and everything you can get that is related to making knives. And don't stop questioning.

I hope that this helps you out.

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If a man can keep alert and imaginative, an error is a possibility, a chance at something new; to him, wandering and wondering are a part of the same process. He is most mistaken, most in error, whenever he quits exploring.

William Least Heat Moon
 
I started the same way. I went down to the local hardware store bought a chunck of steel and started with a hacksaw and file.
I didn't care what kind of metal it was or if it was ever heat treated. It never will be, but it kinda looks like a knife. It's on my shelf in a case with all my other knives as a reminder. I took it through all the steps I new at the time. As your working on it this is the place to come with questions. I didn't know about this place so it took me a lot longer to figure things out.

John Yeackley

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http://www.toptexknives.com/yeackley.htm My contribution to the world of knife fanatics.


 
JHall

Try "How To Make Knives" by Richard W. Barney
and Robert W. Loveless. This book has an
excellnt section on hand methods. David Boye's book "Step-by-Step Knifemaking you
Can Do It!" is also good book, but a bit more
advanced. Hang in there, it is addictive.

steve
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[This message has been edited by sashcord (edited 01-06-2000).]

[This message has been edited by sashcord (edited 01-06-2000).]
 
I give this advice often.....
Start out with SMALL knives. If you are creating a knife with a file, you don't want your first project to be an 18" bowie! Look in the magazines at small fixed blades for design ideas.
Use a steel that is easy to obtain, easy to work with and easy to heat treat. 01 is my choice for this.
Spend time drawing the knife and make a few aluminum or wood templates. This will allow you to get an idea of how the knife feels in the hand.
Try your best to make the finished knife look like the drawing. No "Happy Mistakes". You know....OOOOOOPS, I just buzzed an inch of the end, I'll just make it a little shorter
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There is no reason you can't make a quality knife using hand tools. Power tools mainly reduce the time.
Good luck and post your results!
Neil

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New Hawkbill Pics!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html

 
you can go to this site and get some Idea of the tool's you can start with I would suggest a 1x30 delta they are inexpensive and easy to find at Pawnshop's I bought mine for 30.00 http://www.geocities.com/tbark44 give the pictures time to load up and you wont be dissapointed

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TbarK Custom Knives
I am Opposed to Millionair's but it would be Dangerous to Offer Me The Job,Mark Twain
http://vip.hpnc.com/~tbark
 
Do yourself a favor and after you have decided on a design, photocopy it a few times. Cut out one and trace it on to a thin piece of plastic. Then cut that out to test for "FIT" that way it is easy to change and you can also use it many times over to trace onto a piece of steel. I just profiled my first blade from a Powerhacksaw blade. Yes using a grinder and other power tools, it did come out ok (Well sort of
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) but I only have shown it to family. It does look like the drawing and matches the outline.
I used a peice of pattern material they use for stenciling on walls. It worked great! Got it at the local crafts store. You could also use a plastic "For Sale" sign and an Exacto knife for this. Good luck and remember the more mistake you make now the less you will make in the future!
 
Do yourself a favor and after you have decided on a design, photocopy it a few times. Cut out one and trace it on to a thin piece of plastic. Then cut that out to test for "FIT" that way it is easy to change and you can also use it many times over to trace onto a piece of steel. I just profiled my first blade from a Powerhacksaw blade. Yes using a grinder and other power tools, it did come out ok (Well sort of
biggrin.gif
) but I only have shown it to family. It does look like the drawing and matches the outline.
I used a peice of pattern material they use for stenciling on walls. It worked great! Got it at the local crafts store. You could also use a plastic "For Sale" sign and an Exacto knife for this. Good luck and remember the more mistake you make now the less you will make in the future!
 
Welcome to the forums,you've come to the right place.
If you plan on starting with files, make sure you get a good set. Cheap ones will be more expensive in the long run, and more work.I know you don't plan on getting the cheapest tools possible, but some brands are better than others.I don't use files much, so I can't help you there, I would ask about them before I bought any. Also, try and find files that are the right size for the job you want to do.A big file is great for taking off material fast, but you don't want to use one on detail spots. I would get a couple different sizes.And different cutting patterns.
A hacksaw is another thing you will need unless you have something else for cutting the steel and pins. Try and find one thats easy to use ( comfortable handle, right size for work)Using a hacksaw on thick steel takes awhile. You don't want a saw that you can't stand using for a little while. Make sure that the saw is pretty well made and isn't going to let the blade twist around on you or flex. Crooked cuts would lead to a lot of extra filing.
Good luck and have fun.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
Thanks for all of the help so far. Anyone have a good design, something like a small hunter/skinner that would be fairly simple to do they would be willing to share with me? This is another of my problems, pulling a shape out of my head. I expect it will be much easier once I have done a few. Let me know. What handle materials are good for a first timer (forgiving)? What is the best (read easiest) guard material to start with? It seems like spacers could cover some mistakes if I screw up, is this true? I'm going to stop now since I seem to be rambling, but I have a LOT of questions (I could fill a book with them) and really appreciate the help from the experienced craftsmen
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For a skinner design, I really liked the one Magnum just made and posted a picture of not to long ago. If it sin't stillon this page, put in a search for "skinner knife pic" You can also search by who posted the thread, it magnum.44
For the handle, I think wood is a good way to start since its pretty simple to finish and doesn't require as much work to get a good finish on it. The new synthetics (micarta, and G10)make great handles, but they are hazardous to your health and not so straight forward to work with. Exotics can be hard to use to so I would choose one of these : Cherry-usually has some intersting grain if you get a good burl and pretty hard, Hard Maple- same as cherry only lighter in color. Osage orange- hard, intersting color and grain.Then you just need a hard water resistant finish for them. Minwax has some stuff thats called "RockHard Tabletop finish" its supposed to be resistant to water and extremely resistant to wear. I bet it would work, or maybe some marine grade finishes.
For the gaurd, I would try an integral gaurd(also called finger groove) for the first time. Thats when the handle scales extend out and form the gaurd also. That eliminates any soldering and extra machining done for a metal gaurd.
Hope this helps.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !

[This message has been edited by Matt Shade (edited 01-07-2000).]
 
Sorry, the first one didn't show up. I hit the back button, it took me to the thanks for posting page, that sent me here and I had duplicate posts.
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[This message has been edited by Matt Shade (edited 01-07-2000).]
 
thanks matt! jhall, i don't don't mind if you use a similar design, but i'd perfer you didn't copy it exactly. thanks, and if you need any help with anypart of the blade making feel free to ask me. infact if it's a question for me directly just e-mail me.
 
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