Interest in knifemaking

S

SALMON

Joined
Oct 27, 1998
Messages
171
I've been an avid knife collector for over 20yrs. Now at the ripe old age of 30 I'd like to get some experience at entry level knifemaking. I'll be the first to admit this could be a pipe dream...but please indulge me. How did all you get started?...I know there are kits but I want to learn every aspect of bladesmithing not how to build a prefab knife. Any suggestions? I've looked for knifemaking classes in my area, S. Florida, but haven't had much luck. Any direction would be helpful. Or maybe someone could suggest a helpful video, I probably have most of the tools needed with the exception of those specifically designed for knifemaking. Help a dreamer out! Thanks.

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It would help if you told us alitle about what kind of knives you were thinking of. I would recommend starting with a fulltang stockremovalknife. Get "how to make knives"(the book) by Loveless. Buy a piece of oilhardening O1 and start of with whatever tools you have. The book can guide you a long way. Allso ask on this forum and "ye shall be heard" Try to be alitle specific, because the knifemaking world is huge.

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Jens Anso, ansoknive@usa.net
(check out my homepage)
http://home6.inet.tele.dk/ansoe/ansoknives
 
Get some files, a hacksaw, bar of steel, and a vise. But first get the book "How To Make Knives" by Mr. Loveless. The book is a must, tells about everything involved in making knives. Start drawing knives on a pad of paper and compare to the ones in magazines and books. The first knife I made was a kit and the second(my design)is just scribed into the bar of O1, for now. Keep your cool about it, cause it may take a while to get it right.
Try to find a local knife maker who could show you how.
Hope I help,
Pr


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If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail!

[This message has been edited by prigger (edited 02 March 1999).]
 
Prigger had the right idea. Get some paper and a pencil with a big eraser and start drawing. Once you have the final design, grad ahold of some bar stock (Koval Knives catalogue) and start grinding. I started out doing flat grinds cuz I think they are easier than hollow grinding. Besides, you really need a contact wheel for hollow grinding. Shape out the knife on a bench grinder or cut to shape on a band saw, put the steel to belt and see what happens. Get some epoxy (JB Weld at Ace Hardware), handle material (again, Koval) and clamp it up.

Of course, this is all very basic, but it's how I started. I bought a Sears belt/disc sander in November and I now have about seven blades ready for heat treating. I'm going to try Rob Simonich. Very nice guy! For less than $50 you can probably get enough bar stock and micarta to do several knives. Start simple and learn from there. "How to make Knives" will help, too. If you can find a knifemaker in your area, see if he/she will help you get started. Try to avoid reinventing the wheel. I haven't found anyone local, yet.

Hope this helps. I am just getting started and loving every frustrating minute of it.

Take care,
Tony
 
Hi,

Good advice. Mahalo.

Well, I was sort of hoping to make a DA folder for my first knife. Just kidding.

I guess folders are out of the question for now. So, if were talking fixed blades, I think it might be fun to make some steak knives or other kitchen type of knife.

It must be very rewarding.

Mahalo,

Dave
 
Don't start, you won't be able to stop
smile.gif
A fixed blade on the first go around is the best idea. Go slow. Make a drawing first and then have at it. Patience was the hardest for me to learn. I rushed through the first one because I wanted to see it done. I still have to force myself to take it slow and spend time away from the shop. I am still torn as to which tool is the most important to buy first. Hacksawing out the blades is a real pain. A band saw would be wonderful. I have a bench grinder - two stone wheel type- and files, and grinding the knife down is much more fun than cutting it out. I think others recommend a grinder - burr king type- over a bandsaw.

Have fun,
Glenn
 
I was thinking about it yesterday. I really like my 10" wide wustoff chef's knife.

The modification that I would like to try is a custom grip. The most comfortable grip for most tasks is when I choke up on the handle. Suppose, I cold make a mold and then do a carbon fiber grip that would fit my hand perfectly. Might be a little slipperly though.

Sounds pretty hard. Maybe steak knives would be easier to start with.

Dave
 
Hello all,

I just joined this forum so I am kind of coming up to speed on the general layout. I have some information for those that would like to start making knives that I would like to share.

First, I highly recommend doing a kit knife first. Two reasons - one, you get a feel for working on a knife and can decide if it is really what you want to do, and two, it will give you a feel for the part of knife making that a lot of new makers (me included) sometimes skimp on - Finishing the knife. There are a lot of really good blank suppliers out there that can will allow you to get blanks ranging from a basic hunting knife to something really exotic....

If you feel you are ready to make the whole knife from scratch.. all the power to you... I would recommend two things. First, start with an easy design (say a four to six inch hunter, and work slowly. Second, find a local knife maker if possible and talk to him about knife making. I don't know too many makers that will turn down a chance to show off... In lue of finding a local maker, I suggest you invest in one of the many knife making videos available. I personally own 14 and I would not trade any of them. Email me if you would like a list of videos and suppliers. You can also visit my web page and see a link list of net based suppliers and information.

I would also extend an invitation to any that would be interested to see my shop. I just moved into my new house and my shop is building slowly, but like other makers, I like to show off...
 
I agree with Moorcat that starting with a kit blade is the way to go. It gives you the basic understanding of what all goes in to finishing a blade, and if you are like me, gives you a chance to get your major screw-ups out of the way before you invest all that time in grinding a blade from flat stock
wink.gif
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As for tools, files, sandpaper of grits from 60-600 or finer, a hacksaw, and if you can afford it, a bench top drill press is really helpful. As you progress, your list of "must have" tools will grow. Most important, HAVE FUN!!! But be forewarned, once you start, you're addicted!!!
Harry Jensen
Fresno, CA

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Please feel free to visit my page, & give me any comments or questions you have regarding my knives.
It's at-
http://www.mrcalifornia.com/~hjensen
 
Moorcat:

Good ideas.

When I was 12 I got a fixed blade kit. I didn't like the look of the bottom bolster and sawed it off.

To my surprise the brass or whatever had bubbles in it. Didn't look like I hoped.

I ain't easy.
 
Thanks all. I really do appreciate all the input. I'm going to look into several of the suggestions that have been posted here. For one, I'll pick up the Loveless book, buy a video, and a knife kit...just to get an idea of knifemaking. As for the tools I already have a two stone bench grinder, a drill press, and virtually every hand tool imaginable. I'm going to concentrate my efforts on a midsize hunter and then work my way into a DA Damascus folder...just kidding. No offense to you experts out there...I know knifemaking is a skill of art and patience. Thanks again for all the great suggestions.


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I'll go with the others - a kit or two first, then maybe a couple of unfinished blanks, then start with a bar of steel.

But Salmon, I take exception to this :
"I'm going to concentrate my efforts on a midsize hunter and then work my way into a DA Damascus folder...just kidding. "

That DA Damascus folder could only be a couple of years away. I don't think you're kidding at all.


 
Salmon,

I have just started my first knife a week ago.

Since I come from the stix (living in South Africa), i've never even seen a kit knife. if i could find someting like that i't whould probably cost more that all the tools i just bought.

I got hold of a bench grinder, a vise a couple of really course files and a 1 meter lenght of N690 (440c equivilant here in ZA)

I drew a few ideas on a pad and then tranfered it to the steel. the bar is 5mm x 45mm x 1 meter.

i found out real fast that cheap hacksaw blades dont cut well. heheheheh

i find that my little angle grinder does a faster and neater cut than the hacksaw but of course you have to watch the heat on the motor. this 5mm stuff is a lot harder that i had though. (showing blisters on hands from filing)

My idea is that if i sit around thinking anf never doing, i'm never gonna do it. so i just jumped rite in. of course this first knife is looking terrible and rough, but then i have to be realistic.

the idea of a kit / blank sound appealing to start. sure easier that being stared in the face by a square piece of hard steel.

my advice......
go to it...and embrase it.

good luck

al

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Howdy,

Tom Mayo was nice enough to show me his shop today. He took the time to show me the process and how the tools work. Very cool. Had no idea how it was done.

I was impressed. And for those of you who have not met Tom- he's a super guy.

So, I'm off to a great start.

Dave
 
find a knifemaker and make him your best friend...buy a knife from him...that will help a long way in him being your friend...then go over and hang out.....its not that hard....it just takes perseverance. thats the key to success in anything.
 
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