I hate this forum.

oilSlick

oilSlick

Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
90
Everyday for the last 6 months I log on and spend the first half hour of my day reading tips from the knifemakers and looking at what new cool blade you steel geniuses have come up with, and everday I hate myslef for not being able to buy a sample of each of yours work. Maybe I should have titled this thread "I hate myself". I rarely see a piece here that I would not be proud to own and my head is swimming with tips that I hope to incorperate into my first blade, once I'm able to afford the tools. So thanks guys for all the hard work you do to further your trade and by sharing your knowledge helping to promote the meager beginings of a no name. Keep up the good work and I'll keep reading and dreaming about it. :thumbup:
 
Don't be a hater,jump in the waters fine. I will make you an offer. If you can afford a few files and some sand paper,I will profile out a small droppoint blade and send it to you, and if you will cover postage you can send it back and I will heattreat it for you and return it. Ley me know.
Stan
 
OILSLICK ---- See, this is about what you will find with this group of men ! I'm a newby here too and have found these guys to be a helpful & giving bunch. Keep on reading & ask for help when needed .......
 
You should fill out your profile. If your close by I'd invite you to the shop to hate me in person. I have some modest tools now, but I have 40 years experience of making knives the hard way, with simple hand tools.
 
we all start some where close to zero
i have not gotten far but i get a little further forward each time i spend time on a forum this or another one.
so kick your self in the back until the hate is gone. and get moving! ;) all you need is a BBQ grill thing to anneal a old file, a angle grinder (you most know some one who has one or get a cheap one from "home depo" or what you have off stores where you live) a few good files and some sand paper and then use one of the surely many offers for free HT of your blade from some one close to you. and then some more sand paper and a bit of drilling and glueing and a block of wood then the files and sand paper again and you got something you will know YOU have made and will love it. but still see thing you can do better next time and soon you can't stop your self from making knives

and that's the point where the only hate you will have is not having enough time to make em :D
and see the links page, book shelf and other stuff for good knowhow on my website it might help.

Cheer
DC
dclaville.com (it's still quite new)
 
Thanks for the words of encouragment. Stan - I'd pay more than the postage. I'd pay for the steel also if you like and I'd be very greatful for the help in getting my feet wet. I think it maybe just what I need; that little push to get me going. I'll send you a PM and let me know where to send you a check if you are serious. :D:thumbup:
 
OILSKICK ---- that sounds like you've decided to get off your butt and get going --- glad to hear it ! NOW, let us know when you start, give us all the details IE type and design of the knife (pic's of the drawing/stencil would be nice) type of scales & bolsters & etc. I'm sure someone will chime in and offer their expertise on what steps to take. I for one look forward to seeing your progress as you move along ---- you do have a dig. camera don't you ?
 
Got to warn you oilslick. Knifemaking is addicting. A whole lot of fun but very addicting. Welcome to the fraternity of knifemakers. I am a newbie myself and the guys here have been very helpful.
 
Oilslick, my advice is to find a local knifemaker( one willing to share their knowledge) and hopefully try to save yourself hardache from doing things the wrong way. I was fortunate to find a few great guys within an hour or two drive. These guys took me from knowing absolutely nothing to obtaining my Journeyman Stamp within a few years. There is alot to be learned on these forums but doing it with your own hands cannot be substituted. I understand there are some great knifemakers in Oregon. Give them a call and ask if they take visitors. If your ever in the Reno area your welcome to stop by. I'm an hour north and on the California side. Good luck

Mike
 
Stan...pm back at ya.

I agree 100% a guy can can learn more from hands on in 1/10th the time than from reading. This is true with almost every trade out there right on up to Doctors. I've just tried to do my best and learn what I can during this time of saving for tools. I've also read a few books including a book on tempering philosophies, a book on folding steel, and a couple other well known knife making books. I didn't read the books because I plan on jumping right into dimascus steel or buying a forge and hammer anytime soon. Stock removal is the way to go for me for a while. I read them becuase it deeply interests me. Also; I have tried to keep my eye out for demonstration videos on you tube. They are the next best thing to actually being there. Maybe I'll get a chance to meet up with some locals at Blade West that can show me some things.

I will keep ya'll updated on my progress with my first project. It sounds like Stan is going to grace me with a great start and I'm looking forward to it very much. I'll take some pics and post them up as I progress. I wont do anything with planning until I see what I'm working with. My mind is spinning with ideas and excitement.
 
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Slick, I'm just up the road in Vancouver. I'm a no-talent hobbyist, but I've got an okay set-up with forge, anvil grinders, etc. You're more-than-welcome to come by and have a look, do some grinding, take some notes...whatever.
-Mark
 
Stan (SBuzek) did follow though with sending me a blank...this is the kind of things that great people do. He wasn't just talk. He followed through and sent me a nicely profiled out steel and asked nothing in return. I hope to be able to do the same for a person who's just starting out someday. THANK-YOU!

The first day I started with a file and ground and ground and ground. Eventually I had a grind, perfect for chopping wood. :lol: I knew that I couldn't live with the convex grind and I knew I didn't have the patience for filing it flat, so I stopped off at Harbor Frieght tools and picked up a 1" x 30" x 1/3HP "sander." It only cost $35 and it worked like a dream compared to hand filing. It wont work too well for bowie knives, but for my small profile knife, it worked well.

The hardest thing I found was making an even plunge line. The fist plungeline was perfect and looked great. Then I couldn't match it on the other side. Then the other side didn't match and so on until the plunge line had moved back 1/8" from where I had intended it. Any advise on a good way to mark the plunge line or tricks I should keep in mind to keep it even next time?

I still have some ridges and valleys to work out and I need to reprofile the cutting edge of the belly since its got a 1mm high spot in the middle. I also need to decide how I'm going to spice it up a little. Maybe a little bevel on the spine and some thumb grooves???

For working on the handle, I bought a vise that rotates on two axis for $25 at Harbor Frieght. The only one left was the floor model and the kid didn't want to sell it (Punk kids with power...), so I had to get the manager involved who was happy to sell it go since there were no more in the warehouse, and I was happy to get it, with or withought the box, becuase it was exactly what I was looking for and it was affordable. I also order a black linen micarta scale and a green canvas micarta scale and some black oxide JP bolts. Its going to be pretty basic, but I'm no pro and I've always wanted a little green knife for my camping kitchen.

knifeblank.jpg



knifevise.gif

This little 8lb vise rotates on two axis and not only will it bolt down pemanently in place to your workbench, it also has a T-handle for conviently attaching it to any table top withought putting screws into it making it very portable. When I walked by this I said "harbor freight is the shit."


knifegrinder.gif

Overall dimensions: 9'' W x 11-1/8'' L x 13-1/2'' H
Weight: 13.30 lbs.
This thing is so tiny and portable its amazing how well it worked. (of course I dont have any frame of reference except using a hand file.) I honestly thought i'd be taking this thing back the next day, but I think I'll hang on to it for a while. The belts were only $0.30 each and I didn't even come close to using up one belt on the project.
 
You are done for oilslick, I have been away from it for 1 1/2 years due to moving and having to build a new shop...I feel like I'm starting over again and as excited as you are. You found a great bunch of folks here and they will help you all the way. Before you know it, you will be wanting to know how much to sell a piece you have completed for. Good on ya for getting started!
 
Nice work!

You don't need a lot of fancy tools to make good knives. Just desire, stubborness and a high tolerance for pain and insults.... oh yeah, buckets of elbow grease. Look up Chris Moss on here, he only has the tools you have plus a lot of files, sandpaper, he turns out insane knives. Wolfgang Loerchner (misspelled most likely) only uses hand files and sandpaper to create his works of art. Can't remember the time I saw one of his knives priced under $5000 or so.

Knifemaking is about determination, not your shop.
 
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