Knife-making Advice/Materials

silver_pilate

silver_pilate

Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
3,974
Well, I've got the itch try my hand at knife-making.

I'm gonna purchase a 4x36" belt sander, a dual grinder wheel (I'll use one side for a buffing wheel), a drill press, and assorted files. What else can you think of that I will need for basic knife making? Remember that I'm on a pretty tight budget. I already have all the basic hand tools.

Also, what grit belts do I need to have, and what polishing/buffing media do I need to pick up?

And finally, can any of your recommend suppliers for various blade and handle materials and fastening materials. Where do you purchase your steel blanks from?

Thanks for any input and advice you can give. Remember that I don't have any experience, and I can use all the help I can get.

--nathan
 
I would really suggest having posted this in the Shop Talk forum, and to do so if one of the moderators doesn't kindly move this for you.

The first thing of course you've alreayd done, which is to get on this board and read everything you can. The second thing I would suggest is buying $50 Knife Shop by WAyne Goddard or How to Make Knives by Barney and Loveless(I own both). These are both great books that will give you good ideas of the processes involved in making knives, both by stock removal and forging, and giv eyou good ideas of what materials and tools you need.

I do most of my grinding in the 120-220 grit range, after roughing out a profile(have some 36 grit for that right now, but they're a lot coarser than i'd like, were just free. I'd probably use 60-80 grit for roughing out profiles). You have to get some good files, which ones, and how many, depend on stylesof knives you make, and what you quite plan on doing.

I order my steel and micarta and everything from Texas Knife supply http://www.texasknife.com I've been very happy with their service. If you just stick with basic high carbon steels to start,such as O1, you could probalby find barstock from a local source, and save on shipping. This is also an easy steel to heat treat yourself. If you want to go stainless, you will most likely have to send it off to someone to heat treat it.

For wood for handles, i like Paxton Woods http://www.paxtonwood.com THink that's their site. I go to their local shop, have a great selection of beautiful woods, reaosnable prices, and will try to find other woods if you ahve something specific in mind that they don't have around.
 
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