Knifemaking Workshop WIP

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DerekW64

Joined
Apr 1, 2017
Messages
2
Hey everybody! My name is Derek White, and knifemaking has been a passion of mine for the past 3 years. I have been making knives with minimal tools, hacksaw and files. Not even an angle grinder sadly. I have used belt grinders and bench grinders, but I do not own any of these myself. Things are looking like they're about to change in less than a year,

I am currently in the process of making a workshop that I will be eventually be bringing students into and teaching them how to make knives and tools, more specifically wood carving tools like chisels and adzes, and other things of that nature.

I have shop space available, but I do not have the equipment yet.

I am writing a grant proposal for $5000 worth of equipment, and it is looking like it is going to get approved.

$5000 is a lot of money to me at this point in my life(I'm 18) but I know it wont be nearly enough for a shop with up to 8 people (4-6 students + me and my mentor) working in it.

In my grant proposal, I requested these tools,
2 HP VFD 2x72 KMG Belt Grinder - $3145 CAD

A Wide variety of belts, ranging from 36 grit to 220 grit (Should I go up to 400 grit? Or higher than that?)

The "Mighty Knife" Canadian knifemakers forge - $885 CAD

A Milwaukee portable band saw, which
probably wont be used very often, just to cut the steel down to length when students start their projects

And 12 feet of 1/8"x2" 1084 steel, plus I have my own personal steel that I will bring in if that stock runs out

Total cost rounds up to about $5500 CAD, and I'm guessing with all shipping costs will be at least $6000

I am focusing a lot on teaching these students general safety, and I will have a mentor that will also be helping

Please let me know if I could be spending this money smarter, or what other things I am forgetting. I will be writing another grant before November 1st, and that will be able to cover the rest of the cost, things like PPE for everyone and other tools I am forgetting.

Thank you for reading my post, which I am sorry if it's too long lol.
 
I'd recommend getting a less expensive belt grinder and then pick up a disc grinder with a variable speed reversible motor
 
Man sounds like you’re jumping into something that could turn into a disaster quick. I see you want a forge. Do you have an anvil to use let alone several anvils for students to use? 12 feet of steel won’t last very long with 4-6 “students” maybe a day or two? What about hammers, tongs, propane bottles to run it, and the numerous other things one needs for a forging set up? U say you don’t even have an angle grinder or bench grinder yet want to teach people how to make things? I don’t wanna burst your bubble buddy but I’m not real sure you know exactly what you’re about to get into. You say you’ve been doin this for 3 years, do you really feel that makes you good enough to be teaching others whom I’m guessing you’re gonna want to pay you to be taught? I was SLIGHTLY involved when The Center for Metal Arts moved into the old Cambria Iron Work facilities in Johnstown PA. Which BTW is absolutely amazing! Check them out online. A friend of mine was helping wire the building and i tagged along for a few trips. Those guys brought tractor trailer loads of equipment with them, bought some new Anyang hammers, a Nazel and spent countless dollars on electrical work just to get the building ready to hold a class. I’m talking boatloads of cash. And these guys had already had an established reputation and classes fill up quick. They’re amazing artists/blacksmiths and bring in other people to teach. Nick Anger has had classes there. I just want you to really think about what you’re thinking you can do and realistically what’s gonna happen with it. I wish you the best of luck.
 
I would recommend getting one or two 1x30 or 1x42 grinders first, Then get a Devil Forge DFSW. Its a good forge for heat treat and light forging and its only $140 US. But you can always upgrade
 
A little bit of backstory as to why I want to do this, I come from a native tribe that is trying to bring back traditions that were lost after the smallpox epidemic, and one of the most expensive roadblocks for apprentice carvers (We carve totem poles and dugout canoes) is ordering adequate carving tools. What I want to do is just to simply teach anyone who is interested how to make a simple knife or tool through stock removal,
NickBoyle said:
Man sounds like you’re jumping into something that could turn into a disaster quick. I see you want a forge. Do you have an anvil to use let alone several anvils for students to use? 12 feet of steel won’t last very long with 4-6 “students” maybe a day or two? What about hammers, tongs, propane bottles to run it, and the numerous other things one needs for a forging set up? U say you don’t even have an angle grinder or bench grinder yet want to teach people how to make things? I don’t wanna burst your bubble buddy but I’m not real sure you know exactly what you’re about to get into. You say you’ve been doin this for 3 years, do you really feel that makes you good enough to be teaching others whom I’m guessing you’re gonna want to pay you to be taught? I was SLIGHTLY involved when The Center for Metal Arts moved into the old Cambria Iron Work facilities in Johnstown PA. Which BTW is absolutely amazing! Check them out online. A friend of mine was helping wire the building and i tagged along for a few trips. Those guys brought tractor trailer loads of equipment with them, bought some new Anyang hammers, a Nazel and spent countless dollars on electrical work just to get the building ready to hold a class. I’m talking boatloads of cash. And these guys had already had an established reputation and classes fill up quick. They’re amazing artists/blacksmiths and bring in other people to teach. Nick Anger has had classes there. I just want you to really think about what you’re thinking you can do and realistically what’s gonna happen with it. I wish you the best of luck.
Click to expand...

I see completely where you are coming from, I am only 18 with 3 years of experience.

I plan on teaching these people very basic stuff, like stock removal and how to heat treat basic high carbon steel and why every steel is different in that regard, and will be accepting applications based on expression of interest. Obviously I can't afford everything with only my only source of money being a $5000 grant, as I have said there are multiple Grant's (as well as the schools metalworking shop) available to me that will cover the rest of anything that I am forgetting.

I'm really sorry that I probably came off as a douche that wants to make a quick buck off of some hobby, but I truly do love making knives, and I want other people to be able to make their own carving tools no matter what their financial background is.

Honestly, I really should focus on improving myself, I do have a mentor that is a blacksmith/bladesmith full time, and is willing to, and has before, taught workshops doing the exact thing that I wish to do.

Thank you all for the advice

Edit: removed unnecessary wall of text, still learning how to post to this forum
 
Having great plans is a good thing. Wanting to preserve traditions, especially in your community, it commendable. However, you have to have the experience to teach. If you have been making the tools you plan to teach for a while, and they have been tested by the old carvers in your tribe/village, then proceed. If you haven't start by making the tools and testing them.

Don't give up, though. No good project comes to fruition without hard work.
 
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