Kit knifes

B

Bennyg111

Joined
Aug 29, 2012
Messages
175
I want to go.beyond collecting and start learning the art of making knifes. Is there any market for the sale of completed kit knifes? Or is kits more for the hobbyist and should I just look for blade smithing classes? I'm currently stationed at Ft Lewis Washington so is there any recommendations for the seattle area?
 
I see kit knives for sale all the time on etsy and at flea markets. Just be sure to call them what they are. They are a great way to learn the construction of a knife.


-Xander
 
You might be better positioned to answer your own question than we are. Would YOU want to buy a kit knife someone had assembled? Would YOU be willing to pay more for it than the cost of materials? As a collector you are coming fresh from the market, whereas most of us haven't been buying knives for some time.
 
tryppyr said:
You might be better positioned to answer your own question than we are. Would YOU want to buy a kit knife someone had assembled? Would YOU be willing to pay more for it than the cost of materials? As a collector you are coming fresh from the market, whereas most of us haven't been buying knives for some time.
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True true. You are so right for the price I doubt as a collector or even just a buyer I would be interested.in a kit knife even for daily carry. Now considering my location in the Northwest do you have any advice or recommendations on were to learn the craft of knife smithing? I'm looking at retirement from the Army in the coming year so I feel its times to pursue a new career doing something I will truly love to do day in and day out
 
Bennyg111 said:
...Now considering my location in the Northwest do you have any advice or recommendations on were to learn the craft of knife smithing? I'm looking at retirement from the Army in the coming year so I feel its times to pursue a new career doing something I will truly love to do day in and day out
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You can learn the craft of knife making in your garage. I would guess that it's probably where most people learn knife making. You can progress at your own speed and you don't have to plunk down thousands of dollars in tuition (not to mention tools and supplies) only to discover you don't really like making knives and have to pursue yet another new career. Get some 1080 steel and start learning.

best wishes.

- Paul Meske
 
I think he meant more of bladesmithing classes. Learning how to forge and such. The abs does bladesmithing classes I think. Not sure where but I'm sure it can be found on the web. Another option would be to find a smith in your area and apprentice.
 
Buy some how to books, there are quite a few out there, How to make knives by Loveless is the all time classic knife making book. Another book that I found to be informative was Blades guide to Making Knives. There are also DVDs on a variety of knife making subjects. I think starting out with a kit knife to learn some basics is helpful. Make sure when your getting the tools needed for knife making that you build your shop around a quality 2x72" variable speed grinder. I bought 1X30 and then a 2 X 42 grinder when I was starting out and if I knew what I know now I would of bought a quality 2 X 72 variable speed grinder right off the bat.
 
Cool I would like to thank everyone for there in put it has all been a lot of help getting me started
 
What is the general.opinion. of starting off learning the stock removal method and once I.feel comfortable and can afford to then move towards learning forging
 
tryppyr said:
You might be better positioned to answer your own question than we are. Would YOU want to buy a kit knife someone had assembled? Would YOU be willing to pay more for it than the cost of materials? As a collector you are coming fresh from the market, whereas most of us haven't been buying knives for some time.
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I think there are more makers out there than you think who still buy knives, both factory and custom ;) Just sayin......
 
There are many skilled knife makers in your area. I don't know how active the ABS is in the area but, there is a blacksmiths group that is and they have had several hammer ins with demos on knife making. http://blacksmith.org/forums/content/?tabid=40 I used to make it to some of their functions when I lived in Mt Vernon and was lucky enough to meet people like Dave Lisch and get some pointers. Most smiths, knife and other are good people.
 
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SteelSlaver said:
There are many skilled knife makers in your area. I don't know how active the ABS is in the area but, there is a blacksmiths group that is and they have had several hammer ins with demos on knife making. http://blacksmith.org/forums/content/?tabid=40 I used to make it to some of their functions when I lived in Mt Vernon and was lucky enough to meet people like Dave Lisch and get some pointers. Most smiths, knife and other are good people.
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I will check it out especially since I have a son that's 17 and we all know once dad starts to make sharp shiny stuff he is also going to want to jump in plus he is young strong and athletic and can swing a hammer twice as long as the old man
 
One thing to remember is that all knives are stock removal. Some start as a bar of steel, and others as a forged blank....but all will need to be ground and shaped before and after HT. Good stock removal skills are the first ones to perfect. Forging is fun and rewarding, but not necessary to make a superb quality knife. Actually, forging has almost nothing to do with the final quality.

Start with three or four good grade 10-12" files. Learn how a knife is made by hand.
Then get or make a good grinder. From there the path is endless in getting more and better equipment.

If planning on this as a serious hobby, getting a knifemaking grinder from the start is a good idea ( if your finances allow it). A 1.5HP variable speed KMG, Bader, TW-90, or other knife grinder is a good investment, as you can get the bulk of what you paid back at any time. People sell 15 year old grinders for surprisingly high prices.
 
bladsmth said:
One thing to remember is that all knives are stock removal. Some start as a bar of steel, and others as a forged blank....but all will need to be ground and shaped before and after HT. Good stock removal skills are the first ones to perfect. Forging is fun and rewarding, but not necessary to make a superb quality knife. Actually, forging has almost nothing to do with the final quality.

Start with three or four good grade 10-12" files. Learn how a knife is made by hand.
Then get or make a good grinder. From there the path is endless in getting more and better equipment.

If planning on this as a serious hobby, getting a knifemaking grinder from the start is a good idea ( if your finances allow it). A 1.5HP variable speed KMG, Bader, TW-90, or other knife grinder is a good investment, as you can get the bulk of what you paid back at any time. People sell 15 year old grinders for surprisingly high prices.
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Thank you for the excellent advice me and my son got to talking checked out several sites mentioned here on various threads and have decided that doing a DIY variable speed grinder this summer from what we have read if we are going to put out money this is were we should invest
 
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