I have been wanting to make knives since I bought my first buck 119 when I was a kid. I have been saving money slowly( I have two year old twins and just had a little girl in December) and I was wondering what belt sander is ok to start with and how much they cost? But I know they had been a boom in how many people are now making knives. The market is flooded it seems like. I know I won't sell a lot to start with which is fine because I am plenty busy with the kids. So for those of you who have been what are some decent tools that won't break the bank that will be sufficient for starting out?
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Is it reasonable to start making knives?
- Thread starter midmo
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Start with a file and a file jig
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...k-when-making-a-blade?p=15052460#post15052460
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...k-when-making-a-blade?p=15052460#post15052460
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That is a question to which I have not yet found the answer.
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Of course it's reasonable to make them. At what level is a decision you have to make. Start with one and see where it goes. Get a bar of 1084, make a file guide as the count said, and go for it.
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There will always be more buyers/users then there will be makers, so I wouldn't worry too much about how flooded the industry is. A large number of knives I make are sold to people I know, and/or repeat customers.
Just do a good job, put your own spin on it, and price it reasonably, and you should be able to sell what you make after you get the hang of it.
As for tools to start out with, every maker should have a way to make holes and cut steel. A decent drill press, IMO is a must, and arguably one of the more versatile, most used tools in a shop. Also, I personally I prefer a bandsaw over a cut off wheel on an angle grinder. Less messy and more precise, and probably a bit cheaper in the long run. Get a used portaband and mount it vertically to your bench. Speaking of which, you also need a good work bench. I've got some videos on my channel on how to make one out of common framing lumber for about $100 or less if you wanna go that route.
Now, a filing jig will get you started fast and cheap, but I'd also start thinking about a 2x72 grinder. There are lots of options these days that can run anywhere from $500 to around $5000. Personally, I scraped and saved for parts to build a NWGS with plans from Tracy Mickley at USAKnifemaker.com. Bough a little scrap steel here, a used motor there, a few nuts and bolts after a couple trips to the hardware, one or two parts from ebay... etc....
And then I took my time and built a little of it at a time until I finally had the frame done and was ready for wheels. Now days you have a lot more options for decent quality wheels that won't cost as much as mine did.
If you can find a good price on a used motor and some scrap tube, you could probably build a flat platen NWGS for $500 or less and have a grinder that's expandable/upgradeable.
Just do a good job, put your own spin on it, and price it reasonably, and you should be able to sell what you make after you get the hang of it.
As for tools to start out with, every maker should have a way to make holes and cut steel. A decent drill press, IMO is a must, and arguably one of the more versatile, most used tools in a shop. Also, I personally I prefer a bandsaw over a cut off wheel on an angle grinder. Less messy and more precise, and probably a bit cheaper in the long run. Get a used portaband and mount it vertically to your bench. Speaking of which, you also need a good work bench. I've got some videos on my channel on how to make one out of common framing lumber for about $100 or less if you wanna go that route.
Now, a filing jig will get you started fast and cheap, but I'd also start thinking about a 2x72 grinder. There are lots of options these days that can run anywhere from $500 to around $5000. Personally, I scraped and saved for parts to build a NWGS with plans from Tracy Mickley at USAKnifemaker.com. Bough a little scrap steel here, a used motor there, a few nuts and bolts after a couple trips to the hardware, one or two parts from ebay... etc....
And then I took my time and built a little of it at a time until I finally had the frame done and was ready for wheels. Now days you have a lot more options for decent quality wheels that won't cost as much as mine did.
If you can find a good price on a used motor and some scrap tube, you could probably build a flat platen NWGS for $500 or less and have a grinder that's expandable/upgradeable.
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You know what's funny about the NWGS is I was the very first one to buy plans and build one. I ran the crap out of it and it's a good machine. Not as good as the stainless KMG I built later but the NWGS is leaps and bounds better then anything found at harbor fright lol
Then make one . You just need to visit some scrap cars .........
And I guarantee that it is 10000000% accurate .If you want , tomorrow I'll will take photo from my finished drill press . This photo was taken during construction .
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midmo.
I believe you will get tons of help if you read the "stickies" at the top of this page.
Frank
I believe you will get tons of help if you read the "stickies" at the top of this page.
Frank
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- May 15, 2015
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for now you can do everything with a file. the only thing i would say every maker ( even new ones) should have is a drill press, but dont worry you can buy a cheap one and if you stick with this buy a better one in 5 years or so. also every maker wants a 2 by 72 grinder. to be honest i dont know how i would live without mine but dont buy one until your sure your going to stick with this. if you really want one though you dont need the super expensiv ones that are a few grand. ive seen some really beutifull knives come off of grizllys and those lower quality grinders. Go onto youtube and search for "Walter Sorrells" he has some great videos about how to cheaply equipp your shop and how to make knives from simple tools.
I hope you recognize the parts of which are made this drill press . No welding .............if you have any questions, feel free to ask , I will gladly explain .
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I hope you recognize the parts of which are made this drill press . No welding .............if you have any questions, feel free to ask , I will gladly explain .
nice drawing on the walls!....that's a pretty cool setup, very creative but I think I'm sticking with my drill press
Knife making is simply a expensive hobby to get into....a lot of hobbies can get pretty expensive actually.
There's two pieces of advice I can give you though:
-A file and jig is a hard way to start but is affordable and will let you find out how much you really want to do this. I'd also recommend you finding some friends with tools and going over and using them every once in awhile while you get money for your own, I went to a friends house to drill holes for almost 6 months till I got my own.
-Really educate yourself...like seriously. to many guys come and ask questions they could figure out in 2 mins if they just Googled it take some initiative and really learn about design and what good knives are made of. look at good knives as much as you can and take you time when working and do a good job. Starting with the Stickys is great place to start
You can do it if you REALLY WANT TO.
I hope you have a lot of success!
That is freaking awesome!!!!! Redneck genius.I hope you recognize the parts of which are made this drill press . No welding .............if you have any questions, feel free to ask , I will gladly explain .
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Mad Max all the way!!!
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The more custom knife makers, the better! Go for it.
I realize that you probably already know that it won't be easy but I will just put it out there, anyway. You don't become a knifemaker over night, in a month or a year. I have read so many threads where folks start off very similarly to this one... "I have always wanted to make knives... " Most know it is a huge learning curve, a never ending path of failure and improvement. It just scares me when in the same paragraph, they talk about taking orders and making a living of it. Heck... I remember one fellow had his pricing all worked out before he even finished his first blade! The assumption that one can simple "choose" to be a knifemaker and make a living at it contains a mountain variables and obstacles.
That said, some pick it up pretty quickly and do well. I am not trying to dissuade you from pursuing the craft... I totally think you should and offer any assistance within my own capabilities. You should just be realistic in your approach, which I suspect you already are.
Back on topic... a lot of folks start off with 1 x 30 grinders. You can find decent belts(ceramic) at several supply companies. If you are truly serious, you will eventually NEED a 2 x 72 grinder. I still use two $30-$50 drill presses that I bought over a decade ago. Files, sandpaper, clamps, etc... You will need to decide if you want to do your own heat treating or send it out to a professional heat treat facility. If doing your own might be of interest... accept that there is a LONG learning curve in that, alone.
Most importantly, have fun and take care of those babies!
Rick
I realize that you probably already know that it won't be easy but I will just put it out there, anyway. You don't become a knifemaker over night, in a month or a year. I have read so many threads where folks start off very similarly to this one... "I have always wanted to make knives... " Most know it is a huge learning curve, a never ending path of failure and improvement. It just scares me when in the same paragraph, they talk about taking orders and making a living of it. Heck... I remember one fellow had his pricing all worked out before he even finished his first blade! The assumption that one can simple "choose" to be a knifemaker and make a living at it contains a mountain variables and obstacles.
That said, some pick it up pretty quickly and do well. I am not trying to dissuade you from pursuing the craft... I totally think you should and offer any assistance within my own capabilities. You should just be realistic in your approach, which I suspect you already are.
Back on topic... a lot of folks start off with 1 x 30 grinders. You can find decent belts(ceramic) at several supply companies. If you are truly serious, you will eventually NEED a 2 x 72 grinder. I still use two $30-$50 drill presses that I bought over a decade ago. Files, sandpaper, clamps, etc... You will need to decide if you want to do your own heat treating or send it out to a professional heat treat facility. If doing your own might be of interest... accept that there is a LONG learning curve in that, alone.
Most importantly, have fun and take care of those babies!
Rick