Interested in making something for myself - Tips / Recommendations?

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Lyndino

Joined
Feb 22, 2022
Messages
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Hey all you master knife makers, and other newbies as well.
I'm interested in trying to make myself a knife to see if I like.
Not interested in forging or anything like that but I would buy steel blanks.
What simple tools would I need?
Or is is there a thread I can be directed too?

Thanx.
 
A good start is buying a finished or semi-finished blade blank. You can get them from most all knife supply companies as well as woodworking places like Woodcraft.
Get some stabilized handle scales and follow the instructions that come with the blade if it has them. A full DYI on making a blade is found in the stickys:

How to instructions for making a knife

These are the instructions I use to get someone started with a profiled stainless steel knife blank. I thought there might be those who could use the tutorial and pointers. Some details are specific to a particular knife project, but the info is universal. You can start with a bar of any type of...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com

To do a simple handle job, you will want some hand tools like a file or rasp and lots of sandpaper. Some sort of saw to cut them down a bit is helpful. A band saw is great but a coping saw or scroll saw will work at the hobby level. The tutorial gives more info on what you need.
 
I agree with Stacy...... But I started even more basic.

I like knives.
I have lots of them.
I don't know if there is a perfect knife?

Buying, owning, Using Alot of knives lets me know what I like, and what I don't like about knives..... Sometimes we have an almost perfect knife.... except for this One thing.

That's were modifications come in.

Maybe your knife is almost perfect, except you don't like a thumb ramp?
*Remove it
Maybe you wish the handle was thicker?
*Add liners
Maybe you'd think it might be better with a choil?
*Add one
Maybe your perfect knife came with a lousy sheath?

You can see that there are lots of opportunities to add to your skills, just by doing some knife modifications.

I recommend looking at Becker knives.
They are strong, decent, reasonably priced.....
Fun to modify, and "make your own"

That's how I started.
Making good knives I already had, Better.
 
Lyndino said:
Hey all you master knife makers, and other newbies as well.
I'm interested in trying to make myself a knife to see if I like.
Not interested in forging or anything like that but I would buy steel blanks.
What simple tools would I need?
Or is is there a thread I can be directed too?

Thanx.
Click to expand...
Two great suggestions ⬆️ ⬆️
I bought a knife kit from “Crazy Crow” a craft supplier online (they even offer a catalogue)
I use it cooking all the time.
And as Craig suggests, you could modify it. If you bought a bigger one you could experiment on one several times.
Good luck!
edit: If you hit the resale type shops at the right time you’ll find knives that would be good for learning.
(great question, now you’ve got me thinking)
 
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Pick a project, one project, focus on that and have fun.
The knife you end upvwith is bonus, learn, make mistakes and have fun.
 
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