How does the poor guy start?

U

uncle buck

Joined
Aug 3, 2005
Messages
9
Dear members thank you for having me aboard,

I am thirty five and retired-disabled paramedic. I have collected knives for ever and love throwing. What is the differance between taking a knife and customizing it and building your own which would be my goal.

Should I start customizing a pre built knife first? I am lost or save money and learn to build from scratch?

Many years ago I met a man named Earl Dillon....Southern Ca. He had rights to custom or redo Buck Knives, handles, blades carving etc....He was said to be I guess, one of the best carvers and wood handle makers around. I saw his awards. He gave me a few knives a Broadstar...throwing knife? and original custom Buck 501 Lock Blade that he worked on. He died a many years back, as I was ready to be tought. Man I was sad.....His knowledge and knives where incredible.

Now with time on my hands I want to get started.......but my budget is low! Should I start playing scrable instead for a hobbie?... I am lost and frustrated..I have files, drills and thats it, but some how slowly create with thoughs basic tools.

This is my first knife forum and I know of no- one where I live who does know knives? Any info would be awsome!

Thanks,

Kris Martinelli aka uncle buck :cool:
 
Well you could do what a lot of makers probably did when they started...try some kit knives. Basically you buy a preground blade and put the handle on yourself. As you get better you can start building ones that have bolsters which require a little bit more work. This way all you need is the blade, some nice wood or micarta for a handle, some pins, epoxy, sandpaper and patience. Something that helps speed things up and isnt too expensive is a dremel tool. It is how I started and I'm not much past this point but its a good way to get into it.

Also I believe Chiro75 started out with files so he might have some insight. Also might want to check out this site for a first knife attempt. Good luck!

Here are some supplier links and I know there are more just not coming to mind at the moment
www.northcoastknives.com
www.texasknife.com
k&G
www.sheffieldsupply.com
Ryan
 
Harbor Freight. That is the cheapest way to go to get started with new equipment.

Here is how I went about it. Many of these habits I still cling to. I'm not recommending it is for everyone but it got my feet wet for cheap and at least I figured out early what I was capable of before investing a lot of money in stuff I would no longer use.

For materials. Recycle steel instead of buying new bar stock. I've made many nice knives out of old sidewalk edger blades of 5160 steel. I get them free at the local rental service center because I let them know I can use them. So rather than throw them out they save them in a box for me.

Use natural free materials for handles and scales on your knives. I had a friend with a dog that he trained to find antler droppings in the woods.That dog was great. I still have antler racks in my shop that were found by that dog and he passed away two years ago.

I'd also go to yard sales and garage sales and estate sales and buy lumber sometimes along with other things that you can use for pennies on the dollar lots of times.

Many knife handles I made in the early years were pinned using scrap from a junk yard. Old toilet tank floating ball cocks have a brass rod on them. Great handle pin material there. Old stainless pop rivets at a yard sale for a quarter work also if you use the shank. But I actually saved them in a jar for years whenever I used my pop rivet gun so I'd have them.

Buy busted fixed blades to scarf the pommels and brass guards. Again pennies on the dollar.

Just simple stuff like that really.
 
Buy Wayne Goddard's book, $50.00 Knife Shop. Basically you need a hacksaw, a couple files and a vice, or even just a couple C clamps.

The search function on here works well as this question has been asked many times.

Where in so Cal are you located? I'm in Simi Valley myself.
 
I have picked a whole lot of great info (and support) hanging out here. You've stumbled onto a great bunch of folks. Check out the search function here. Pick up wayne's book, start collecting tools ar yard sales, flea markets, junk shops etc. As you read, start a laundry list of tools you would like and look to pick em up used. If you keep you're eyes open and be patient, its amazing what you can find on the cheap.
Harbor freight sells a weed burner torch that works great for heat treating and even some limited forging if you want to go that route. The 200.00 metal cutting band saw is also a great start up tool you'll never regret buying...
Good luck,
Ed
 
Regarding files, used files are almost always junk. Harbor Freight files are the same. You want good quality files like Nicholson or some others. DON'T toss them in a drawer to bang against each other. Once you get beyond roughing out your blade bevels with coarse files, make sure you clean off the finer files every couple of strokes otherwise chips will stick in the teeth and cause deep scratches that will be a lot more work to remove.

I just spent a bunch of cash and bought a 2hp variable speed KMG (nearly $2K with everything) which means my old Craftsman 2"x42" grinder (low miles) is now exiled outside of my tiny shop and looking for a new home. Here's a thread with the details:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=356781&highlight=craftsman+grinder

It's not the last word in grinders, but is a lot better than what you'd find at Harbor Freight and there's some guys making some nice knives with the same machine.

If you're near to where I am in Simi, I'd be happy to have you visit my shop and we could use my bandsaw to profile some blade blanks once you get some steel.

If you start with simple carbon steel like 01, you can heat treat it with a "one brick forge" setup using a mapp gas torch from Home Depot and a $1.00 fire brick and some canola oil for under $40.00.
 
I started out with files and sandpaper..Just get the guy at the scrap metal yard to cut you out a couple of blade shapes with a torch out of a old saw blade,take the sidegrinder and profile the blade and set in the bevels,then with the files and sandpaper finish up the blade.Oh yea I also had a hand drill which lets you attach the handles with pins,or even slotting a guard by drilling multiple holes and then fileing out the web,drill a hole in a piece of antleror wood and epoxy it on a hidden tang the with wood a wood rasp makes shaping the handle very easy......Use what you got is basically waht I am saying,then start picking up equipment as you progress,I still have things I want and I have been doing this for 13 years ;) :)

Waynes book is great but there are allot of others out their and then here on the forums you can learn everything you need to know about making a great knife.Read everything-Books,Mags,internet,anything else--that pertains to knives as someone will always have a better idea or simpler way of doing something.There are also allot of great vides and DVD's on the market now also..

Just jump in and make one,kits are cool but I prefer just making it from scratch,that way you get to say"I made the whole thing Myself" In my opinion a ruff first knife is allot better than a great finished kit,that is just my opinion though..
Enjoy your ride into the GREAT world of Knifemaking,You couldnt find a better bunch of guys to hang out with.
Bruce
 
I've made two using files, sandpaper and lots of help from the guys posting here. So don't be afraid to ask.

Check out your local public library system(s) for knifemaking books. You might be pleasantly surprised like I was. If the local branch doesn't have it in stock, they can usually have it transferred to your nearest. You can search some library systems on line now.

Rub some cheap sidewalk chalk on your files every once in a while. It helps keep the steel filings from clogging the teeth of the file.

Look in your local yellow pages for a company that sharpens saws for industrial users. At some point, they can't sharpen them anymore and they just throw them out. I was given a 10 foot long section of a bandsaw blade that had been used in a sawmill. It was about 6 to 8 inches wide, including the teeth, and about 3/32 inch thick The steel was a European (Sandvik)equivalent of L6, I think. I rought cut it with an angle grinder into more manageable sections. I used a heat treat oven at work to aneal it before filing it to shape. It made a great kitchen knife that we are still using.

It sounds like John's setup is a great deal, especially if you are within a reasonable drive. He is a great guy and it can save you lots of time and frustration if someone shows you the ropes in the beginning.

Good luck and enjoy.

Phil
 
uncle buck said:
...Now with time on my hands I want to get started.......but my budget is low! Should I start playing scrable instead for a hobbie?... I am lost and frustrated..I have files, drills and thats it, but some how slowly create with thoughs basic tools....
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forums!
Here's a good way to start (using the tools you already have):
http://hossom.com/tutorial/jonesy/
Regards,
Greg

Some knife making links
 
Play scrabble.
Otherwise you'll have to come to our KA meetings (Knifeaholics Anonymous)
with the other crazies here.

"Hi, I'm Brian, and I'm a knifeaholic."

Group answers: "Hi Brian"
:p :p ;)
 
OK, seriously.
Files and drills are all you need. A piece of D2 is pretty inexpensive (around $13 or so a foot, depending on size)

wait. D2 will wear your files down FAST. :(
O1 maybe??

Probably the best I can recommend is Wayne Goddard's book, The $50 Knife Shop. He'll show you how to make a knife for $50.

Good luck. I'm gonna do some research and post more at a later time ;) .

If you have any questions: JAGknives@yahoo.com

~Brian
P.S. Don't get the wrong Idea. I'm a new-er maker myself. Maybe 6 knives or so.
 
I started with 1084 and a box of free files and I made some pretty nice knives with nothing but hand tools. It is certainly do-able, and I've seen knives tons better than mine that are also completely handmade. The learning curve going that route is HUGE because it takes you 20 times longer to make a knife than when you use normal equipment. My knifemaking has improved fivefold over the last 4-5 months since I bought a grinder. It's not the tools that make the knives, though, so you can go pretty cheap and make a great knife. You can go expensive and make a dog rocket, too!

I would look at getting O1 from toolanddie.com. That stuff is like grinding/filing melted butter compared to the 1084 I grew up on, and even the 1095 I use today. I can barely switch from 1095 to O1 because it grinds so much faster and more easily, so I think that's the way to go. It's been proven time and again, too, that you can "caveman" the HT and make a good knife, or get crazy scientific and also make a good knife, so thankfully, O1 is pretty forgving stuff (or you could send it anywhere for heat treat).

To be honest, I would give the following advice to any aspiring new knifemaker:
Get some kits and work on general tool and finishing skills. Heck, if you're good at it you may even be able to sell some and save some money. Save money for a real knifemaking grinder (Coote, KMG, Bader, whatever). If you suck, it's more work than you want to put into it, etc, sell the equipment. You don't see good used stuff on the market, ever, so you should be able to get a decent return on it. Read every book, read every Bladeforums post (and the half dozen other knifemaker's sites), watch every video and go to every knifemaker's shop that will have you. And have fun!
 
What part of SoCal are you in? I just started up the Del Rosa Neo-Tribal Metalsmith Tribe with the help of Tai Goo. I am in the San Bernardino area. There are a couple of guys in L.A. and San Diego interested. We are having our first get together mid September (dont have a firm date yet - mid september friday or saturday night). I suspect the first meeting or two may be a little rough.

The group uses primitive methods such as charcoal forges, filing, hand finishing. It is a great way for smiths to share techniques and new people to learn. Making knives with the basics is a good way to start and it can be inexpensive. My goal is to start with basic techniques and progress over time. There will be group efforts and other smith's demonstrating on occasion, whenever they want to basically. Even though the techniques will advance over time I hope to have it structured to where anyone can step in at anytime and learn. Email me if you are interested. t.crocker1@gmail.com
 
Jmcx?> Gold member........Sorry I told you I was retarded I mean retired,

thank you for offer of visiting your shop, it would be an honor...In fact I do live in Simi. And just now started moving to Calabasas....LOL, getting married first time, in October. I write music which is my love, but to relax I sharpen a knife or start carving away. I have an old small Buck Knife that a knife maker carved by a man who has past away.....He was said to be Great. The handles came off because Earl would make them for the La City workers to be used and its used. I like to know how to put it back into shap with handels?

I can never put my knives down or stop thinking of creating since I was a kid. I would enjoy watching you if you got a knife coming up. If find out about some steel....I will let you know. If you have anytime. I will bring your favorite, treat, popcorn, beer, cigar you name it. Email me or call 818 591 2165. mkristofer@yahoo.com

Thanks, for your words of advice, I can tell their are some good people here!
 
Thank you so much everyone,

I never though I would get such awsome advice, so quickly! There is alot of wisdom here and encoragement and Brian LOL I think I must admit my Addiction and especially after such information......A poor guy can do it.

Taking care of my tools is the first and listen now to what you all have said....which is consistent. I must take it all in now and go through it and thank each one of you for your time. I am serious and now with some extra time I going to get back at my fiance soon to be wife for her crafts LOL.

I am surprized two of you live in Simi....where I grew up. I always knew we where a red neck town.....LOL

Thanks again...Kris aka Uncle Buck :thumbup:
 
Thank you for taking the time Chiro.....I went to your site but coulnt email for some reason.....very basic beautiful knives.....that make a statment....."Serious" Your adice I like the music industry....you candle handle rejection or comments get out now. I will take you encouragement to heart and thank you for taking the time.

Sincerely,

Uncle Buck.....Kris
 
G'day Kris,

Your of to a good start Kris is an indonesean knife. If the spelling is wrong oops but close enough.

If your a carver you could be very higly sort after. I know a Scotish wood carver that does excelent traditional high land designs on dirks and sgian duhb. He was a carver first and then a knive maker. I think if you also look up some local wood carvers that may also be a way in re handling knives.

At a recent knife making demo week end we had a batch of wood carvers who came along and made up some little carving knives. The 2 crafts go very well together.

As far as budget goes. I started with a few files and sand paper I now have a shed full of toys that all have been paid for from what I sell. It has been about 14 years worth of learning. I am not nearly as good as others here I tend to make simple low end items.

Bruce Evan has some fantactic tutorials on file work for the spine of the knives.

The cheap way is to build up slowly your only 35 all the time in the world to
get a few things as funds come along.
 
Uncle buck, you are asking a question that many ask. In fact, one of my sons just moved to Las Vegas and NOW is asking the same question. I doesn't take much to get started, but it's has to snowball if you plan on continuing making knives. I recommended my son check out this fantastic Forum and the best of the best makers that grace their presence here. As you have probably already noticed, these rascals are more like an extended family here.
 
John Andrews said:
Uncle buck, you are asking a question that many ask. In fact, one of my sons just moved to Las Vegas and NOW is asking the same question. I doesn't take much to get started, but it's has to snowball if you plan on continuing making knives. I recommended my son check out this fantastic Forum and the best of the best makers that grace their presence here. As you have probably already noticed, these rascals are more like an extended family here.
Click to expand...


I have not seen such a forum......within one day. I had so much examples and John a gold member here invited me over to his shop within two days of this post and humbly showed me how he started from files and drill bit to where he now has an awsome air conditioned shop. It took me two days to look at all the info. John has some nice work that I can tell is just getting better. Everyone here helped me so much and encouraged me that I am not crazy and alone. I am ADD and disabled so when watching TV I have a knife in my hand seeing how sharp I can make my knives.......John, explain my stones and said, "Kris your diamond Stone is just a peace of metal now" You mean thats why It doesn't work well any more>? LOL

Show your son the links which you already know, but just the support and comments here, well I guess your knowledge too. I learned it is art form and science.....Learning metal and finding your specialty. John was humble but he cut out a knife and sanded.....it out and watching it take shape was awsome. He said be patient and he took the knives he screwed up and went back to them and re created them that were awsome I thought. I really appreciate your comments and all the others this is the most helpful forum I have ever seen........!!! I am used to the music industry.......and gaming forums, no one wants to share info..... but there is not doubt this is a cult LOL, how do you say thanks to everyone? I literally thought I was crazy filling and drilling pre made knives, until I got frustrated and came here!

Thanks John,
Kris....Uncle Buck. :thumbup:
 
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