Knife-making Advice/Materials

silver_pilate

silver_pilate

Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
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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
 
nathan,


You're not gonna want to hear this, cause buying new tools is always fun, but here goes:

Don't buy any power tools!


Yup, I wish someone could have convinced me of this before I started. It isn't until you have been at it for a while that the wisdom in that shines thru.

High quality hacksaw and files. There's a number of other tools you can make yourself.

My suggestion is to make one complete knife by hand first.

Steve
 
Here's my advise for what it's worth...slow down and do some more readin and research before you start buying tools. I know it's hard to do when you want to get started asap, but believe me, you'll save yourself from spending money on tools you don't need or buying the wrong tool for what you want to do. A 4 X 36 belt grinder would be one of the last tools on my list now that I know better. Yes, I learned this lesson the hard way.
 
I would recommend against the 4X36" grinder. You would be much better served with a 2"X72", belt selection is way better, they are usually made for knifemaking, etc. If you go with the 4X36, you will be getting the 2X72 anyway, when you find the former won't do the job, and you will be out that money that could have gone into a proper grinder.
Here's a list of suppliers. I would also recommend "How To Make Knives", by Richard W. Barney, and Robert W. Loveless. You can get it at http://www.amazon.com , or most knifemakers supply stores. It will answer many questions. Covers sheathmaking too.
http://www.internetbusinesslinks.net/SupplierList.html

http://www.cootebeltgrinder.com/
 
good advice by these three men here, would actually say it is all better than what I said in other. You should make one by hand first, a 2x72 will do you better(I can not even understand how I made knives without mine, and I have the most basic one availablle, if you save up for a KMG or something you'd be even happier). But at least someone agreed with me on the book and reading more first. :)
 
I would add "The wonder of Knifemaking" and "The $50 Knife Shop" both by wayne Goddard. Good general info and some darn cheap ways of doing stuff.

WS
 
Silver,

I was in a similar position not so long ago. I wanted to get into the hobby as quick as possible and was thinking about getting a wood working belt sander to help....fortunately for me, on impulse, I bought a Dillon 550 reloading press instead :).

I spent the next few months reading the forums and searching the web for information. Along the way I made a neck knife out of 440C with files and sandpaper. Once I finished that first knife I was bitten...I really wanted a grinder now! Since I tend to drift in and out of hobbies (my wife thinks I am understating this point :( ) I decided to go with a staged approach and buy what I could until I outgrew it or could afford something better.I bought a Coote 2"x72" with a 10" contact wheel and step pulleys.

The intent was to get a grinder that was affordable so that I could give this a try right away but to ensure it was of sufficient capability that it did not cause frustration. I really like my Coote. The quality is excellent! Its only deficiency is that it is a two wheel grinder. For me this is really not a deficiency (yes some operation could be dome a bit easier on a 3-wheel grinder but I usually do these chores on a disk grinder anyway). When and IF I outgrow this grinder I will buy another that suits my needs.

I should also mention that making that first knife by hand was a great learning experience. Because of it I was successful on my first attempt at making a knife on the Coote (...but I went really really slow :D )

Take Care
Dean
 
Great input! Thanks for the advice.

I didn't know which size of belt grinder worked best. Now I do. :) As far as buying powertools, I've got the bug. If it's got a motor, it's worth getting :D (thus my hot rodded '91 Mustang-money-pit). Seriously though, because of other hobbies I have including automotive modification, I will be purchasing at least a drill press and a dual grinding wheel. I'll likely just go ahead and get the belt grinder to have for future needs.

Next thing: Which files do I need for the basics?

Thanks again for all the input. I'm looking forward to getting started, but it might have to wait a while as I finish up with classes.

--nathan
 
Get a set of Nicholson files, and a wire brush. Go slow and brush the "grit" out every few wipes. It's save you time down the road in the sanding and finishing process.
 
That belt grinder is also great for car building/modification tasks. They work WAY better than stone wheel grinders. They also double, triple(?), as wood working sanders/grinders. Many more uses than just knifemaking.;) :D
 
Remembering that you said your funds are limited: I started with a cheap little 1 X 30 belt grinder (about 50 bucks). Ground my first blades with it. I also had gotten a cheap little 4 X 36 and it came in handy for thinning blade stock and handle material, etc..

I waited until I could get a mid-range 2 X 72 (Coote). I still use the 4 X 36 sometimes but the 2 X 72 does most tasks and about the only time I break out the 4 X 36 is when I drag it outside to grind real nasy stuff.

I like Itrade's advise. As for me, I spent all my poor life working without power tools and was happy not to start that way when I recently got into knife making.

Using the 1 X 30, I used 80, 120, 220, 320, 400, and 600 grit belts. I usually finished to 400 for heat treat and for stainless steels to 600 before heat treat.

Roger
 
I'm a total newbie. I have a 4x36, and for knives, I think it's too big. a 1x30 (or 42) or a 2x72 would be far superior to use. I had my 4x for other shop tasks, so I started to use it. No "initial" outlay in that case. But were I doing it over for just knives, I'd get a better sander, and a narrower belt. Oh, the cheap sanders are cheap for a reason.
 
RE: 4x36

Like Rlinger says I think it has it's uses. In fact I wish I had one.

You see, I like bevels flat - really flat. Last night I was working on a large blade (2" x 9"). I used the 2x72, then went to the sanding disk, then back to the 2x72 but held the blade length-wise on the platen. At other times I even work the blade by hand with sandpaper over glass.

Changing the sanding line direction shows all the little dips and cuts.

I think I could be happy using a file, then 36 grit on a 4x36. Then 80 grit. Then switch to hand sanding with 120. Then back to the 4x36 with 240, then back to hand with 320, 400, 600.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 2x72 and live on it. I just have to supplement.

Some guys can hold a blade on the sander so perfectly it makes me sick ;) . But for me I have to keep switching methods/directions as I work my way up.

Just my thoughts,

Steve
 
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