If i want to start making knives, on a budget

[simko]

hey, i finished a knife, and it was really fun, only thing is, to me the materials are pretty expensive, i used cocobolo wich is 33$ bd foot.

and mosaic pins.

now i doubt id go into any market for selling, but say i did, what are some less expensive knife materials? im not going for looks, sellings no big deal for me, im buying some 440c 10 dollars a foot.

whats some decent handle material? piun material?

 

[rlinger]

Local hard woods is a good possibility. Cherry, walnut, oak, maple; that type stuff. I believe functionality in design and workmanship allows beauty to come automatically.

Roger

 

[ErikD]

If you don't mind synthetic handle materials take a look at micarta or dymondwood. They are relitevly inexpensive, IIRC.

 

[Mike Hull]

Buy your wood from the knifemakers supply houses. You can get a pair of scales, 5"X 11/2"x 3/8" for anywhere from $3.00 on up, depending on type. You can get blocks,1"X 11/2"X 5", if that suits you better. Cocobolo is not a very expensive wood.
I'm sure they have a supply house in Canada, if not, you can try these.
http://216.218.203.171/index.html

http://www.knifeandgun.com/

http://ajh-knives.com/supplier-1.html

 

[Alain M-D]

hey, i finished a knife, and it was really fun, only thing is, to me the
materials are pretty expensive

Especially in Canada, the knifemaking supply is more expensive and
we must pay shipping.... This is why I try to buy as much as possible in
Canada . You can buy knifemaking supply in Canada at:

http://www.downieknives.com/

http://www.freemanknives.com/PFGKS.htm

http://www.houseoftools.com/content/houseoftoolscom/knifemaking.htm


Alain M-D

 

[R. Lemmen]

Canadian wood supplier: take a look at www.thewoodbox.com
I haven't used them but they have a really nice site including descriptions of the wood they sell.

 

[watakipoma]

3/16" x 1 1/2" 1095 steel, from local welder: $3.00 for 3ft.
Hardwood maple handle: grab an axe and head outside, dried over the winter in firewood pile. Hacked out by hand.
Bolster pins: Scrap pins from work.
File: $3.99
Sandpaper: Already on hand.
Stain: Already on hand.
Superglue seal on handle: $0.99 at Walmart, for two tubes but only used one.
Propane torch for heat treating: Already on hand.
Mineral Oil: $1.79 at Shaw's

Labor: Free. Lots of elbow grease but did sneak it into work to use a Bader to help with the profile.
Leather for holster: $7.00, included waxed thread for stitching.

Look on sister's face as she gets a hand made knife for her collection: priceless (or about $16.77)

I'm waiting for her to send me a picture of it and the sheath.

I've finished one knife and started two more. A skinner and a Bowie. The Bowie will have a stacked leather washer handle made from old belts. I have enough dried maple to last forever.

I just got an old piece of 5160 spring steel from an automotive mechanic with lots more outback. It needs rust stripping and sanding, looks like it'll be good fodder to practice on at the forge this summer.

 

[simko]

can curly maple be found in canada? how can i dry the wood indoors if i cut some down from a tree?

 

[Mike Hull]

Here's some links for drying wood.
http://www.woodturningplus.com/boiling_dry.htm

http://woodworkersworld.homestead.com/fall_2002_p1.html

http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~rhaslip/Rex/workshop/microwave/microwav.htm