knife making a wonder of the world

nate1714

nate1714

Joined
Apr 16, 2005
Messages
1,738
ok well i am 18 and in college and for all intensive purposes im just asking questions to learn now but if i like what i hear maybe i might make myself a knife or two......What is the basic equipment for knife makeing....how hard is it....and tell me about your learning experiances through it all.....thanks for the info....i look forword to reading all the posts.......
 
I'm 18 and in college as well, and working on my first two knives. A couple years ago this tutorial caught my eye - http://hossom.com/tutorial/jonesy/
Finally I'm really getting into it, slowly getting funds to buy things. If you ever want to talk just email or my aim sn is slqer.
 
Well, first off, Welcome. I am a new maker myself, All you really need is a drill, hacksaw, some files, sandpaper, and alot pf patience.

I used a 3" cut off wheel to profile my first blade, (which I am still working on), files and I broke down and bought a Harbor Freight 4x36 Grinder to put in my distal taper and rough in my bevels. Draw filing to even everything out. I haven't started on the guard or handle yet, but its coming soon.

Mostly, just spend some time here reading the archives. Use the search tool to keep yourself out of trouble, and after reading a bunch, post some specific questions about things you don't understand. The guys in this forum are great, and will definately help you out. Knifemaking is one of the few fields I have seen where there are guys who will share their 'trade secrets' if you ask.
 
woot ! another newb here :) and i'm having a blast doing this. If you have a working knowledge of hand and some power tools , and wood and metal ,the rest is all learning.
I recommend checking out this part of BF in depth , as well as doing other searches of sites if you cant find what you want here.
I finally finished my second knife , my first one was silly , I wont post pics of it , i went way overboard on embellishment , my second one is a little simpler and much nicer , I am almost suprised that I'm the one who made it , tonight I will post pics after I get batteries.
I also recommend that new sticky about safety !!! You only have two eyes and 10 fingers as well as other parts you can possibly injure if you are careless. Also if your unfamiliar with a power tool do yourself a favor and RTFM. It can save an appendage , even your life :)
I tried to do sometrhing too fancy at first , I found it easier to make a basic knife shape (Wharncliffe) and go from there.
To the old timers on here , after seeing your various grinds.... I have miles and miles to go ! :D
Anyways , look forward to sharing info and victories on here with you folks.
Todd.
 
ok good info keep it comeing were shall i get the metal and what is the diffrence ...yea i know extream noobie question but with all the reading i have done about the diffrent types i think its safe to find out what the expriance says about it....thanks and i look forword to reading....
 
JUST A WARNING!!knife making is a powerfull drug!! once you start you'll be hooked. for now relax have fun and just keep trying. for me knifemaking is a true passion, I learn something new with every knife I make, and the more I do the more I want to do.

Welcome to the world of knifemakin, ain't no place like it at all




cya
jimi
 
Damn Nate, you've got to work on that spelling, grammar and punctuation! :eek: I guarantee that if this is the way you write, eventually your profs are gonna eat your lunch, and probably sooner than later. This is intended as constructive criticism, not to be a jerk. The two most important skills a knifemaker can develop are patience and attention to detail, and neither of these attributes is evident in your post. Please don't take this wrong, I thought long and hard whether to reply at all and decided that the potential to bring around another maker is worth the risk.

Okay, with that out of the way I can now address your questions. :D As Airborne said, you can make a knife with just files, sandpaper and a drill. Many have. I guess it goes without saying that the more appropriate tools you have the easier the work becomes, but that's just the sweat work. The details can be, and often are, managed with the most basic hand tools.

Knifemaking is no piece of cake. I don't know anyone who thought making their first knife was easier than they thought it would be. Almost everyone I've met says it's much harder than they expected. This is not only the physical work but the fit and finish skills that require patience and finesse.

You can find a lot of information on Dan Gray's tutorials page. Many makers have invested significant time and effort to describe their methods for vitually every aspect of knifemaking. It's a great place to start.

You've found a good place. The amount of knowledge freely shared here will boggle your mind. I'm constantly amazed at what the members of this community know; for virtually any question you might have related to making a knife, there's an expert available and willing to help. It's invaluable.

Finally, you will have the best luck by asking specific questions. It's best to try to find what you're looking for using the Search function first, because a lot of your questions will have been addressed many times before. But don't hesitate to ask when you're stumped.

Good Luck! Once you've made a knife you will probably be hooked for good. You might consider building a kit to see if the general principals appeal to you. There are so many kits available that there certainly would be one that you'd like to own. Welcome to Shop Talk!
 
wow thanks for the info and i use spell cheack alot for college gramer my weak point......I have lots of the material beside the metal can i get that at any hardware store or is that a specific thing.....
 
Try a local spring shop (they make truck springs and such). That is where I got the batch of 5160 I am using. (I bought (9) 13" peices .25 thick x 2" Wide for under $40. It comes soft and ready to work. Also, there are several online suppliers, Jantz, Texas nifemakers supply, etc. Again, try the search feature and query 'steel supplier' you shouls get a bunch of responses.
 
You can get the pins at a hardware store as brazing rod, but for the actual bar stock you're better off somewhere else. Personally I've kept my eye out for some decent steel and they've never had any luck at one. I've heard of some people finding some but it was very expensive. I've ordered from www.toolanddie.com but you may be able to find some locally. Leaf springs are a good source of steel, usually they're 5160. I would gather all your materials and save up your money and buy The $50 knife shop and The wonder of knifemaking by Wayne Goddard and read those first.
 
Hmmmm how to find a spring shop im looking in the yellowpages.com and cant find one but i shall keep looking any search tips...

ok well with some additional looking i have found this place does it have good prices and i still dont know the diffrences between steel
http://www.admiralsteel.com/pdf/bladesteel.pdf


thanks for help
 
Hi Nate, a lot of makers use Admiral, but I always buy my O1 from Tool and Die too. They have about the best prices you will find, any size imaginable, and almost instant shipping. I've always had excellent results buying from them. There have been a few horror stories about Admiral; I think it depends on who you talk to when you call them. If you call Admiral, ask for Terry. Sorry, I don't have their number but someone here will.
 
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