Knife making sequence...

T

temujinphp

Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
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Hi everyone,

I'm starting work on my first knife and I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on the sequence of events, I think I have it pretty much right but I just want to be 110% sure.

-Forge Knife Blank
-Normalize (cycle of 3)
-Rough Grind and clean up
-Harden the blade
-Temper the blade
-Polishing and Sharpening
-Fittings

From all that I've read this sounds like the way to do it but just to make sure. Cant wait to forge my first blade and will be posting asap.
 
Looks good to me, except you really want sharpening to be absolute last. Doing work on a sharpened blade is asking for big cuts and ruined days, not to mention you're already going to be getting plenty of little cuts before sharpening if you're anything like me.
 
+1 on the sharpening as the final step, unless you're also etching... Then I would put etching last on my list.

If you want a very good walk through of the basic steps check this post out It talks mostly from a stock removal aspect but you can get an idea of the steps once as you get closer to finishing.
 
John L said:
Make sure you do any drilling of holes before hardening!
Click to expand...

+1

I've heard to get all tasks, except final polishing or maybe file work, that require the removal of metal to be done before HT. Trying to work hardened steel is a nightmare. Also, I'd make sure all your grind marks and any other scratches are sanded out to at least 400 grit before HT. The scratches act as stress risers in the steel and can cause the dreaded "ping" during quench.
 
Frank Barron said:
I make the sheath before I sharpen the knife.
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I can attest to that, on my first knife I sharpened it before making the sheath. The knife was a tight fit and when I used the extra force to pull it out I sliced open the end of my finger:eek: Live and learn:p
 
temujinphp said:
Hi everyone,

I'm starting work on my first knife and I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on the sequence of events, I think I have it pretty much right but I just want to be 110% sure.

-Forge Knife Blank
-Normalize (cycle of 3)
-Rough Grind and clean up
-Harden the blade
-Temper the blade
-Polishing and Sharpening
-Fittings

From all that I've read this sounds like the way to do it but just to make sure. Cant wait to forge my first blade and will be posting asap.
Click to expand...

Drill holes for fittings BEFORE hardening. Don't ask how I discovered this little trick... :P
Sharpening is the absolute last step.
 
unky_gumbi said:
I can attest to that, on my first knife I sharpened it before making the sheath. The knife was a tight fit and when I used the extra force to pull it out I sliced open the end of my finger:eek: Live and learn:p
Click to expand...


Me to you know that saying "fool me once shame on you fool me twice. . ." what happens if its 3 times? (twice on the second knife) Needless to say OUCH! :o

MG
 
Thought I would chirp in and add something. Fittings (metal furniture,guard, ferrule and pommel) should be the step that is achieved after HT. Personally, I achieve this when the edge has between .015-020" edge thickness which is when the blade grind is complete except the final belt grind (400-800). IMO belts from 100 grit and below are grinding belts. Belts above 200 grit + are polishing belts, just my rule of thumb.The last step is sharpening. Don't worry, after you make a few, learning more from each one. you will get the technique down to where it is a subconsciois routine.
 
also wouldn't you want to normalize after you grind (instead of before)? I always normalize right before I heat treat. I've heard that even grinding can build up stress and cause warping during HT.
 
I'm gonna toss some gas on the fire....

It is my opinion that a blade should be sharp and tested before any finish work be done.

Mace
 
I agree with Mace. I feel you should take the blade to an edge right after it's heat-treated and finish ground, then do testing to see if it holds up. Then you should dull the edge, do all your guard and handle work, and then resharpen it.

If you just finish it out and don't sharpen/test it until you're done, you might have wasted every single step you've done past the tempering if your heat treat was off.
 
Fletch Helical said:
+1 on the sharpening as the final step, unless you're also etching... Then I would put etching last on my list.

If you want a very good walk through of the basic steps check this post out It talks mostly from a stock removal aspect but you can get an idea of the steps once as you get closer to finishing.
Click to expand...




if u etch the blade u will have to resharpen it from my experience.....ryan
 
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