Knife Making for beginners

[jm1]

I would love to start making knives but just don't know where to start. I would appreciate any info on getting started/making my first knife. I also want to know how expensive materials are or if for now there is a cheap alternative until I have a little bit of experience. Thanks to all who take the time to respond.

 

[Jos]

First of all: Welcome to the forums.

As for your question, better post it in the "shop talk" section of the forum (here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=741 ), where there are plenty makers that can answer any question you have.

Kind regards,

Jos

 

[jm1]

Thanks Jos I appreciate it, I'm gonna go post it there now

 

[unky_gumbi]

Sit down with a pencil and some paper and draw out what you would like to make. Buy some files a lot of sand paper and a piece of steel. Buy the steel from a knife makers supply store, go for 10XX or 5160 maybe even o1. Then go over here and ask the question again, in fact go there first and ask around. Use the bladeforums google search and search beginers knife making and read this sticky

All of that information should get you started on the right foot. I just started making knives in November and without the help of the guys in the knife makers area I would have been lost.
Also fill out your location in your profile, if there is a maker in your area and they see that you are close they may invite you over for some one on one learning and help. Warning this knife making thing is addictive and once you get that first good knife made you wont want to stop.

 

[butcher_block]

all good info and to the how much will it cost you
well thats easy
steel is cheap
super nice handle blocks not so much but dont worry about that yet as a good handle can be made with just abot any thing
in the long run the time spent working and the time spent learning are truely what makes a knife cost piles of $

treat grinding belts as tho free as dull cuttign tools make you try and force work and that makes it easy to mess up

a big thing to remember in the shop is
"THE ONLY THING I DO IN THE SHOP FAST IS MESS UP"
take your time and do things right and when you mess up (and you will) make the best of it by testing things

 

[gecko]

I've also just started making knives and invested about uhhm... 0,0$ I used an old file to get a feeling for steel and how stuff works before I buy a piece of damascus or something like that. With an old file it isn't too bad if you screw something up the first time.

the tutorial from Greenpete helped a lot!
check out: http://www.greenpete.co.uk/knife-making/knife-making-video/

looking forward to see your first knife on bladeforums!