How to become a knife maker?

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Beckerhead83

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I have a deep passion for knives and really want to learn the craft. Now im not planning on quitting my job yet but I would love to start to learn the basics. I was thinking maybe start apprenticing under someone or trying it on my own with a lot of research. Anyway any helpful ideas on how one would get started on his path to become a knife maker. thanks
 
Start by filling out your profile.
Then ,read several knife making books. The stickies have a lot of info, as well as do the multitude of tutorials and info threads available online. Learning and understand about the process of making a knife, including the metallurgy involved, will make you a better knifemaker.

Finding someone near by to help you learn will be of great value.

There are seminars, called "hammer-ins", held all over the country throughout the year ( few in the winter) which you should try and attend if possible.
There are also several good bladesmithing schools with classes from a few days to a week . Since you didn't fill out your profile, I can't help you with which ones, or what maker, is near you.
 
One becomes a knifemaker by making knives. Start simple in all ways; design, steel choice and HT.
 
Start slow, accumulate tools and knowledge, love it as a hobby before you try to make money off of it.

I love being in the shop and have made close to 15 knives now. I haven't sold 1 yet and have hundreds invested in tools and supplies. The key is loving it without the "need" to make money doing it.
 
+1 to filling out your profile. And getting some basic books. "How to make knives" by Richard Barney, Bill Moran, and Bob Loveless is good, and I like "The $50 Knife Shop" as well. "The Modern Bladesmith" by Jim Hrisoulas has a lot of good info in it, too. Be aware that some of the recommendations in these books are dated, and update your knowledge by reading on the forums.

Watch knifemaking vids. Buy them, or watch stuff on Youtube.

Get a copy of Knives Illustrated, any recent year, and look in the maker directories in the back for makers near you. Contact them, ask if you can watch them work or just ask them questions on the phone. If they like you, maybe they'll invite you to come learn something.
 
The best thing you could do is fill out your profile. Hell you might live down the street from one of us and we will never know!
 
Go to a hardware store and get some supplies to make wooden prototypes and keep improving your design until you think its perfect. Then start with the real version. You could sell your pieces on Facebook even
 
MichaelK1995 said:
Go to a hardware store and get some supplies to make wooden prototypes and keep improving your design until you think its perfect. Then start with the real version. You could sell your pieces on Facebook even
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Good suggestion but 2.5 years elapsed since the last post.
 
Yeah, sorry, I'm not good at the internet. Weapons and killing is pretty much all I know. Look at my profile and you'll understand
 
MichaelK1995 said:
Yeah, sorry, I'm not good at the internet. Weapons and killing is pretty much all I know. Look at my profile and you'll understand
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Favorite Knife:
Assassins creed hidden blade

Biography:
Ever since I could hear sounds, I have had a fascination with weapons of all kinds.

I do believe that firearms are effective, but using them is shamefully cheating. My heart belongs to those weapons that require a great deal of skill, like anything from hands to trebuchets. I would love to get away from normal society and be a blacksmith. If you think crafting weapons or learning martial arts is stupid, I automatically hate your soul and hope you never acknowledge my existence.


Yes, my passion is that strong. I am a pc, apple is garbage, American medicine is poison, if you pour cereal milk first, don't speak to me, drugs are bad, these are just ways for you to identify what kind of person I am so you know how I feel. I have spent most of my life tuning my mind and body to be dangerous as possible. Last thing about me,...... I don't believe in display weapons, every piece must be made with hard use and durability in mind, oh yeah, love is life.

Location:
Sacramento California

Interests:
weapons

Occupation:
stocker at a warehouse
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Ya.

Can I suggest maybe you cut back a little on the video games, and maybe talk to a counsellor about that.


Seriously, we all like steel here but I'd never dream of saying those things in person or online.
 
My interest is different than yours, its that simple. Doesn't mean I'm mentally unhealthy. Just not a clone of the media. If you aspire to be normal, you sacrifice your individuality. Be yourself and don't judge others for being themselves and life will be good
 
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