I want to start making knives.

E

Edcgearreviews

Joined
Jan 23, 2010
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144
Hello fellow Knife-Nuts

I really want to get started making knives, even if that means just simple kiridashis with cord wraps. Here is what I have access to:

1.A very poor belt sander... basically unusable
(the list gets much better from here.)
2.An industrial plasma cutter
3.A laser cutter (not strong enough for metals)
4.A bead blast cabinet
5.Powdercoat equipment
6.A Bridgeport Mill
7.A small CNC Mill

I would think I would need a grinder and a heat treat oven...

Tell me what you all think. Thanks.
 
I think you're a lucky man to have access to that equipment.

I also think you should not wait until you have a primo grinder. Start making knives now. Learn by doing and let your experience guide your purchases.

- Greg
 
I'll let some of the more educated folks on here chime in about using things like plasma cutters and what not because I don't know how exactly they do or don't affect the steel with regards to heat.

You can do a lot of making with a CNC machine from what I've seen. The bead blast and powder coating can come in handy at some point as well. However after the cutout of the shape and the profiling of the edges, most of the work is going to be done either on a grinder or with files. You don't necessarily "need" a grinder, yes it makes things go faster and one of those "things" also includes mistakes. It doesn't take much to mess up a blade on a grinder a lot of people have made and some continue to make knives with just files and sand paper.

You also don't necessarily need a HT oven either. There are plenty of places you can send your blade out to and it will get done for probably between 10-20 dollars or so depending on the steel used.

You can do a knife start to finish with a hacksaw, a few files, a bunch of sandpaper, and a whole lot of elbow grease and desire. A drill or drill press is helpful for putting handle material on but not needed really for a cord wrap.
 
Well, I am sure that the steel would be very hot, as the plasma cutter achieves temperatures around a third of the surface of the sun, maybe more. But is there any way to take one piece of steel all back to temper.
 
You can anneal steel after it's hardened, however you'd need either a forge or HT oven to do it. And you're essentially making more work for yourself. A metal cutting bandsaw, angle grinder with cutoff wheel, or hacksaw will make things go quicker... Well the hacksaw is a toss up probably ;). But great exercise.
 
Having access to the mill and blaster puts you ahead of the game compared to a lot of folks just starting out. Definitely start making knives now and somebody can lead you in the right direction with the HT. You can get a 2x42 craftsman, or save your money to get a Coote or KMG grinder. Some of the pros use the CNC mill to profile out their blades and then grind off the excess left over to hole the piece down. Do a search for Todd Begg's build off WIP thread, he has lots of pics using his CNC mill to profile parts. Look at a lot of blade shapes, come up with a shape. Cut one out of cardboard and hold it, change the shape so it feels good in the hand, then cut out a blank in that shape and get to it.

Start a work in progress thread, everybody will look, and ask questions there, along with pics so we can provide guidance. Fletch did that, his thread was very helpful for him cause we could see what he was doing and help.
 
For specific knife know how...

Read these books
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=603203

I like
Step by Step Knifemaking - David Boye

Watch these videos
http://smartflix.com/store/category/9/Knifemaking

http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/499...femaking_Basics_-_Make_a_Mora_Bushcraft_Knife

If you can use that equipment, you can save about a thousand $ and make your own grinder...

Use these plans
http://www.metalwebnews.com/manuals/knife-grinder.pdf

to make your own version of one of these
http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/

You want Variable speed so you need a VFD and 3 phase motor, 1.5 HP or more...


You can buy the rubber contact wheels, or any other wheels you need here
(I don't see a lathe on that list, although a cnc mill can be made to do alot...)

http://www.usaknifemaker.com/store/...nds-grinder-parts-contact-wheels-c-99_60.html


You can send out for heat treating until you are ready to pursue that...
 
I think you have way more than a lot of people do starting out.
Rather than wondering if you have enough "stuff" you should be out in the shop doing what you can with what you have.
Go make knives.
 
If you can believe it, I've learned a lot more from hanging out in Scott Gossman and Larry Nowicki's shop; watching Deker, Butch Harner and J Neilson work at the Blacksmith Days in Westminster MD, and requesting general information from makers on here and other forums. I have not made a blade, but I have had offers to come down and work on a blade with some of the above makers. I really need to take them up on it.


Ed Fowler recently wrote an article in Blade about new makers wanting to work for him. If that maker needs you to get him a cup of coffee and a pack of smokes, you gotta do what you gotta do. Lots of good guys on here, but if you can, learn one on one.
 
As far as the plasma cutter, you are lucky. Nothing better than a good plasma for profiling. Used properly, a plasma cutter leaves 1/4" stock cool enough to be handled without gloves after 2-3 seconds. Thicker metal will get warmer.
 
There are many making knife blades as well as other parts with milling machines. Some are well known makers ; some are very good makers; some are not. What I'm saying is the same as others. GET STARTED with what you have. There was a WIP on grinding a blade with a milling machine here a while ago. I believe it was by Nathan the Machinest. Lots of success ! Frank
 
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