Looking For Suggestions (Newcomer)

colu41

colu41

Joined
Dec 24, 2014
Messages
1,598
Ok. I plan on really getting into this, so before I do, I would really like some suggestions on what I should, and should NOT do.

My biggest concerns in this process is heat treating. Will any of the steels I purchase have to be heat treated? Also, do you heat treat before or after initial shaping?

I've watched a couple youtube videos on the process but everyone seems to do it differently.

Maybe a list of must have tools also.

I currently have, vice w/ anvil, drill press, angle grinder, 1x30 belt sander, dremel with countless attachments, and also a 3 wheeled custom grinder with a buffing wheel.

Honestly everything else just looks like time and patience. I do a lot of DIYs and do quite well with my hands and learn very quickly, so I just would like a few suggestions to make this go smoothly for me.
 
I'll preface this by saying I was you three weeks ago. With my newfound wealth of experience (sarcasm intended) I will say this: you will need to harden and temper your blade. 1084 is probably the easiest to do this yourself with to learn the basics. Canola can be used to quench. Alternately, send away to someone who does it professionally. You have all the basic tools needed, and as you noted, you can make do with a lot of elbow grease and patience. I assume you have a few good files and a variety of grits of sandpaper. Flap wheels for the angle grinder are a good idea I discovered too late for my first knife, but in time for the handle. I did almost all of my work with an angle grinder, files and sandpaper, although I did get the use of a band saw to rough cut to shape and a brief stint on a decent belt grinder. Read all the links provided, enjoy yourself and be safe. Make sure you make a sheath for your knife as soon as it starts bordering on sharp and your not working on the blade. I averaged a band-aid a day learning little things like that. Be safe and have fun!
 
Start with small knives or you could get frustrated keeping long grinds straight(ask me how I know?). It's an addictive hobby but is very fun and rewarding when you finish your first knife. I suggest keeping your first knife. I gave my first 6 or seven away as gifts and wish I had kept one or two. I did keep all the crappy ones. Be patient and expect to screw up some. You just have to chalk it up to educational cost. You can probably find someone to do your heat treat for you. I have someone who heat treats and surface grinds mine for $5 a blade. I would suggest sharpening very last. I don't want to work with a sharp blade. I'm a mechanic by trade and need all my fingers! Not much technical advice but it's the best advice I can give in my limited experience. Good luck,
 
Thanks Mike & Rookie. That is some good advice. And I do plan on starting with a couple small knives. I may pick up some cheaper steel to make a few before going on to the better stuff. I planned on doing this just as a hobby. Keeping some for my collection, giving a few away to friends and relatives who are into knives and hunting, and IF, and I mean IF I can make even a half decent blade, I would like to sell a couple. I don't plan to get rich, just make a few extra bucks here and there. But heres my problem. I was looking at "handmade" knives on ebay, and saw countless damascus blades with custom bone, ivory, ect handles go for like $30-$40??? For what I understand the metal is worth more than that. It seems unless you're a complete master/intuitive genius knife maker continuously making new and innovative designs, theres not much money in it.
Regardless I still want to pursue this, just to have satisfaction of making something that I love. Thanks for all the info again!
 
colu41 said:
I was looking at "handmade" knives on ebay, and saw countless damascus blades with custom bone, ivory, ect handles go for like $30-$40???

For what I understand the metal is worth more than that. !
Click to expand...


That's shit from India or Pakistan

The ivory is cow bone

The Damascus is from tin cans and bottle caps


It's a shame as the public gets fooled into getting used to low prices and crap quality.

3/4 of the job of a handmade knifemaker is to educate your customers and the public as to what quality is.
 
12345678910 said:
That's shit from India or Pakistan

The ivory is cow bone

The Damascus is from tin cans and bottle caps


It's a shame as the public gets fooled into getting used to low prices and crap quality.

3/4 of the job of a handmade knifemaker is to educate your customers and the public as to what quality is.
Click to expand...

Thats what I was afraid of is obviously the quality isn't there but the public doesn't know or even think that. They just think they're getting a great deal, making all the great knife makers out there seem overpriced.
 
I'm definitely no pro, but like it was mentioned up there earlier that sticky is very helpful. I also enjoyed the videos by Walter Sorrells. He shows some nice tutorials and also has a series on knifemaking tools. I loved it.
 
Think about it this way they've gotta be total garbage when they're selling them for $15-$20 and still making a profit. Saw one once and it wasn't just warped it was like a "W" warp and was out about .050"-.060".

Jay
 
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