I literally do not know where to begin.

If you can find a maker in your area, see if you can get them to let you visit. You'll be able to ask all the questions you want and maybe even get to see how they make a knife.

Since Tai is here I'll also say go and try to find the video that him and Tim Lively did for a really good intro to bladesmithing. Check out Steve Johnson's video for a good intro to stock removal, or Don Robinson's video if you want a machinist's view of making a knife. I think between those two and some internetting (a new word I just made) you should be on the right track. The Goo/Lively video is the best bladesmithing video I've seen.
 
Hi Friend in Seattle,

Glad you posted about your hopes and frustrations. It is an interesting journey you have set out on yes? Yours will be unique to you as are all of ours. I'd say the best posts in this thread were from BJ and Michael (Redrummd). All the books, tutorials, websites and emails in the world will never ever compared to working with someone. Get over to BJ's asap, bro. Do it.

I have been reading these forums and books for a few years. At the beginning I too often had the darndest time understanding what I was reading. Ricasso, 1095, clip point, choil, pommel, half faced blow, hardy, drop the tong, etc, etc.... All I can say, is I hope you persevere. Keep it up. At some point stuff will start clicking into place. Relax a little bit and let the data (uncorrelated info) in. It will eventually start togel.

Your remedial starting point as relates to tools and crafting, to some degree, may be your biggest challenge at this point. If it were me I'd be looking to hobnob with just about anyone who works with their hands and learn whatever I could from them. Learning about screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, wrenches, etc and how to use them is a good thing. Start where you need to. That usually means on many fronts, or in many areas. Heck, you could even read the Suzy-homemaker how-to type books. They go into a lot of tool basics.

For me, DOING is the key! And you have been doing via your researching and surveying. Use your hands with tools doing stuff with them. Hook up with craftmen and do stuff with them. I'd hooking up with BJ right away. You'll learn VOLUMES and have fun to boot!

All the best, Phil
 
Welcome to BF and the start of an interesting and often frustrating and very rewarding craft.

Firstly, it's going to be damn hard to tote an anvil, anvil stand, load of steel and a bucket of smith's tools on a bike. :D

Secondly (or non-humorous Firstly) Reading is great, knowledge is better. While I find it hard to disagree with Kevin (and often have to look up the words he uses cause I'm a Japanese redneck) I would hesitate on buying the best possible because it'd suck to have to resell tools from a hobby you didn't like (toting all that stuff to the PO on a bike would suck ;) ) on the other hand you won't have a problem selling quality tools either. Yes I am arguing for both sides. Sue me.

While a lot of the artistic ironworkers don't concern themselves with the art of heat treating there's a lot to learn from them as far as selecting, setting up and using the tools of the smith safely. Most of the Forge groups meet in people's shops and you'd get a chance to use a variety of tools and find out what works for you. Almost all blacksmiths think they can make blades, I don't know many bladesmiths that consider themselves "true" blacksmiths. Besides learning to make candle holders and stuff can help pay for your neighbor's tolerance to the smells and sounds of smithing, not to mention medical help and not calling the cops for a domestic dispute when you're in the shop screaming and cursing after scratching a blade while making a sheath.

Look up "neo tribal bladesmiths" these guys are into smithing very cheaply and are what I consider a great way to start in the craft of smithing (that's the way I made the jump from stock removal to smithing.)

Lastly, welcome to the craft. You'll find most makers truly live in the "pay it forward" mode. Noone I know advanced without help and most of us practice in such a manner as to honor our teachers.
 
I must apologize if I left the impression that you should get the best tools available right from the get go, if that were the case none of us would have ever got started and I would still be waiting for many things:o. What I was getting at is that assembling your tools (any tools) and determining what it is that you have available is a great starting point. If one decides that they are not cut out for bladesmithing based upon the difficulty and results from beating one out on a rock with an old claw hammer and a BBQ grill with a hair dryer, they have defeated themselves prematurely before really enjoying the craft. A block of scrap steel or railroad track, a decent ball peen and a homemade forge with real lump charcoal is not too much more of a first step but will get you a much better feel as to your potential than denying yourself the basics. Diving right into heat treating D2, for instance, when all you have is that BBQ grill is enough to put anybody off from knifemaking permanently.
 
Look into taking a machining class at the college,they will teach you some tools you need or a wood working class they use allot of the same tools,You can also benefiet from a begginig jewelery class.Now go to the local hardware store with a list of different tools people talk about having and start asking the clerks what they are and how to use them.If you have any neighbors that work on cars and stuff make friends with them and have them show you how to use tools.Making it to a makers shop will help the most.If your up for a trip and a couple of weeks check into taking a class at the ABS school
http://www.americanbladesmith.com/

I know you can learn since I had a retired doctor come to my shop and learn from me and he didnt know the difference between a scredriver and a drill bit when he walked in the door,when he left my shop ( a few weeks of off and on) he had his shop set up and was on his way.....This is all I can add as you have been given lot's of great advice already.

Bruce
 
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If you can find a maker in your area, see if you can get them to let you visit. You'll be able to ask all the questions you want and maybe even get to see how they make a knife.
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I gotta say, I agree wholeheartedly with this advice!

If you can wait that long, and you can swing the trip, go to Ashokan! Otherwise, look for someone within driving distance that can let you hang around and watch and maybe ask some questions. Once you actually SEE some of these things being done, many of the questions start to answer themselves!

Then, armed with a little experience and understanding, you will be much more able to pick a direction and go with it. Having an understanding of the tools you will need on hand is great, but unless you have some sort of feel for what to do with those tools, it's kind of putting the cart before the horse!

In the mean time, read, re-read, and then read again the basics threads on the forums in question. There's a huge wealth of knowledge. Follow the links, many of them to websites put up and maintained by some of the best knifemakers the world has ever seen, which are chock full of great information and advice.

As you read and learn, be sure to put up your bullshit alert system, so you can filter out the bunk from the info, and form opinions of your own!

Get Dirty!
Make Mistakes!

Don't let someone's knowledge or reputation scare you off from questioning them, their opinions, or their "facts". Even if you make the mistake of doing so vocally and publically and get utterly humiliated by the rebuttal, it's very likely that you will learn some valuable stuff in the process!
 
Hypocrite said:
I don't mean to hijack this thread... but I just checked out bjalongi's link and this dude is one crazy MF. That picture on El Cap is just awesome. :thumbup::thumbup: Two thumbs up brother.

Erin
Everett, WA
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Thanks bro! I try real hard to enjoy life, that's for sure.

You are just down the street. Sounds like we need to have you and this new fella come over and have ourselves a small 'hammer in'!!! My shop [garage] is pretty limited and only set up for one guy, but I could clean it up a bit to make room for a three or four. I'll bet we could tag team something on the anvil, whilst drinking a few brews and shoot'n the sh#t.

Who wants to get together the week between Christmas and New Years? Many people have that week off, so it could work.

I'll cook up the ribs from the deer I got this year, maybe even throw a fresh steelhead on the grill if I can catch one that morning.

BJ :)
 
Ah! I finally get answers! This is amazing.

Thank you all very much, I'll try and work in visits to shops when I can find time. And books I can do no problem.


Merci, merci, merci!
 
Glad you're getting the answers you've been looking for.

I remember when I started (not that long ago at all), I knew what I liked and what I didn't like in knives and that was about it. I spent countless hours scouring Bladeforums and reading any book I could find on knife making. Some of the intro books on basic knife making are very helpful but can frustratingly leave out important info or brush over steps that seem obvious to the author. Find some videos on basic forging (check out USAKnifemaker.com for some good reads and videos) and see if you can thumb a ride to one of the NWBA classes for hands on learning.

I'm just stock removing right now, so I'll soon be joining you in the "don't know @#%T about forging" category when I get around to purchasing that anvil I need. That may be next year's bonus, as I already dropped this year's on a KMG.

--nathan
 
Kevin, One thing I did manage to learn as a teacher of the craft, (somewhere towards the middle) was that... the student needs to focus on what he can do with the resources at hand. If he focuses and dwells on what he can't do, he has already defeated himself. It's not what you can't do, but what you can do that counts.

Don't worry about what you can't do,... just do what you can!

If you keep this attitude, you can become a great bladesmith with nothing but, "a rock with an old claw hammer and a BBQ grill with a hair dryer". :)
 
I think bladesmithing is a lot like love making!

Now,… you’ve got your guys that would rather just run out and buy a vibrator, than take the time, patience and energy to learn the discipline, self control and art of true love making,… but they miss out on a lot. They miss the whole point of it. Any fool can buy a vibrator!

Kevin once said that Wolfgang Loerchner was one of his most admired knifemakers. I don’t think he even uses any power tools,… mostly just a hack saw, files and sandpaper.

I had a an 1800 square foot modern facility, jam packed full of modern equipment,… Nazel 3B air hammer, controlled electric furnace, belt grinders, etc… I eventually got rid of it all because I felt it was holding me back with my own personal development as a smith. I’m much happier now, and think I actually do better work.

I focus my attention on what I can do, which is a lot more than I would have thought before I really tried... the possibilities are endless.

What I can’t do, I don’t do because I can‘t!,… and I don’t want to anyway. I don’t concern myself with it. There will always be those things no matter what you do.

To the teachers of the craft, I recommend not projecting your own short comings onto others... Just because you can’t, doesn’t mean no one can...
 
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Tai Goo said:
I'd steal Kevin's wife before I'd steal his salt pot! hee hee LOL :D
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Tai, I don't think Kevin would appreciate that:eek:

I don't really understand the org question. In my 47 years on this planet,
I have never found myself wondering where to begin :confused:

A good woman is better than a salt pot though :D
 
I was just kidding!
I'm not really in the market for either right now, but if I were?... LOL :D

Seriously,... it starts at the beginning with the desire. :)
 
I did have one of my half pagers written up in an attempt to better explain my position on a good plan being your best first tool regardless of the others, but I believe I have totally lost my touch in communicating my true meanings anymore so… Tai, you are absolutely correct. PRMSTR I wish you luck in your pursuits.:thumbup:
 
Phillip, either one can kill you :)

I know what you mean, Tai...lol

One can only started at the beginning.......But with no desire, there will be no starting!
 
All I'm saying is,...

… In case I ever find myself wanting it, Kevin better keep his stuff,… (microscope, Rockwell tester etc.,)… locked up real good! LOL :D
 
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