How to start off in knifemaking on a shoe-string budget

[Portert]

Subject prety much say's it all. I thought I'd get some input from the experts. Any thoughts?

Terry Porter
Omaha, NE

 

[Marcus]

I was just browsing around the Blades and Stuff web site,formerly run by the recently and sadly departed Bob Engnath. They`re no longer open but the site is still there and it`s just chock full of good tips and techniques for bladesmiths,many are very low tech and perfect for beginers. I`m in the process of gathering the stuff together to try my hand at knife making myself and I found it very enlightening. In fact I printed it all out for future reference. It`s worth a look. The address is www.engnath.com,you may want to read a little about Bob before you click on the Blades and Stuff icon,it sounds like he was a hell of a nice guy. Marcus

 

[TomW]

you probably own all the tools that it takes to make a knife. many a fine knifehave be made by hand with simple tools

 

[MM]

I suggest getting the book "How to Make Knives" by Richard W. Barney and Robert W. Loveless, Krause Publications; ISBN:087341389X
you can get it from Amazon.com.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/087341389X/qid=915464545/sr=1-1/002-9445202-9310648
This is *the* standard for knifemaking books. I found it very helpful. Tons of good info.

Also, definately check out the Blades and Stuff web site. Another fantastic source of info for begining and novice knifemakers. The info in the Blades and Stuff catalog and the Loveless book helped me to complete two knives, so far. I'm working on the third.

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Ciao

MM


[This message has been edited by MM (edited 04 January 1999).]

 

[Darrel Ralph]

These are good answers hahah .

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Web Site At www.infinet.com/~browzer/bldesmth.html
Take a look!!!

 

[Franky]

Terry,
I second the abovementioned book.
Another good one is:
"Step-by-Step Knifemaking" by David Boye.
You should find both books at amazon.com.

Frank

 

[Gus Kalanzis]

BLADE magazine has also been running a series for several months by Wayne Goddard on setting up an a "shoestring" shop. There are some good ideas in there that you may want to use.