Knifemaking Update #1

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Metal-Demon

Joined
Oct 15, 2000
Messages
176
Hello everyone!! Quite a few of you have mentioned that you're interested in my exploits as a rookie knife-maker, so I figured it would be a neat idea if I kept you all updated on how and what I am doing by numbering my posts so it would be easier to keep track (for all of us)!

I really do hope that this doesn't come across as being a pompous and arrogant thread, and if you feel this is a silly idea PLEASE let me know - I'd rather get told to "sit down and be quiet", than to make a complete idiot of myself! (Yeah, like THAT has never happened before!!
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So, without further adieu .........

I began by looking into purchasing a decent set of files, as well as a sturdy vise ..... as of now, I'm still searching around for the best price/quality combination.

I went through my magazines and found a handful of blade shapes that I liked, drew the designs out on paper, then transfered them to a hard cardboard, to use as templates in the future. Nothing too extreme, only small 3" to 4" blades ...... I wish I could supply you all with what TYPE of blades they are, but I'm still getting used to the terminology. They look somewhat like a "mini-hunter" type shape I guess .... does that make any sense???

I salvaged a piece of cold-rolled steel from our "scrap bin" at work and brought it home. (Dimesions: 12' Long, 1.5' Wide, .125" Thickness). I don't know WHAT grade of steel it is, and neither did our machinist. (any ideas on how to determine this??)

I took a make-shift scribe I managed to somehow throw together at home, and etched the general shape of the blade onto the steel bar.

Tomorrow, I'll do some grinding and filing work with the tools at the shop, provided I manage to squeeze an hour or two out of my busy schedule!!

Any grinding and filing tips are great appreciated ....... my copy of The Complete Bladesmith STILL hasn't arrived, so I'm really "winging it" over here!!!!
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That's all for this episode of .........
The Misadventures of Metal-Demon: Wannabe KnifeMaker!!!!!!

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"A Szívemben A Vas Es Az Acél Orök Ereje Van."

Crushing the weak since 1970 .... the Demon has spoken.
 
Metal-Demon,

I can pass on a few things I learned (my mostly completed blade has been sitting on my desk for a few weeks. . . )

1. Watch your scribed centerline!! It is amazing how much a file can take off in a single pass.

2. Get a file card/wire brush and get the shavings out of your file after every few strokes. You really don't realize how many scratches you are putting in the metal until you get to the finer grit sandpaper. Then it all shows up!

Don't be afraid to repost this thread over int he Shop Talk section--everyone is very friendly and full of good advice.
 
BTTT ....... jsut to keep you all updated.
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"A Szívemben A Vas Es Az Acél Orök Ereje Van."

Crushing the weak since 1970 .... the Demon has spoken.
 
If you do any power grinding remember that areas that are thinning out properly like tips and edges tend to get hot quick, dip often in the water bucket If it changes color you've burned the temper, and will need to grind past that. keep up the posting, I'm learning the same process and will undoubtedly learn from you as well.

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Tip broken? Chipped edge?most repairs under $10 e-mail me, comfort work too!
 
I am just interested in what the progress is on a rookie knife makers knife, what he/she discovers (so I can learn) and new innovations that they come up with. Good luck Metal-Demon!!

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Cameron

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"Look deep, deep inside and you will find a place of anger, vengeance, and brutality. Go there. It is your last hope to conquer the truly wicked."
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A few of my balisongs
My Photopoint album

[This message has been edited by BalisongMan (edited 11-20-2000).]
 
First I would like to say hello, as I am new to this forum.I will tell you some things that have worked for me.I use .062" aluminum for my templates, it holds up better.I would also discourage you from using unknown steels.As a new knifemaker start off with a good, easy to work steel like O1 or 1095.They are cheap and make great using knives.I still make the majority of my knives with O1.Get some Dykem layout fluid to mark out your lines with ,it makes much easier to see.Definitly use a water bucket when grinding and a little tip.Put a little dishwashing liquid, like Dawn in your water, it will allow everything to settle to the bottom instead of floating at the top.Good luck and have fun , Dave
 
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