Looking for wisdom/direction from all you makers

Mimic Knife & Tool

Mimic Knife & Tool

The super part time maker
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Mar 15, 2021
Messages
719
Hey BF makers, my name is Andrew and I recently decided to dedicate time, money, and effort into this passion of making knives and leatherworking. I have made a few knives and sheaths with humble hand tools, a few power tools(power drill, portable bandsaw, 1x30 belt sander) and a homemade coffee can gas forge. I will be picking up a 2x72 kmg soon from a BF member and have some more money to use ($1000 or so). I need some direction on how to best use this money for my purposes. I would love to hear suggestions from all of you on this. What would be the next essentials in the timeline of building my knife making skills and shop?

Much love and appreciation in advance!

Here’s some options I was considering:
Drill press
Heat treat oven
Knife making consumables (belts, steel, scale material, etc.)
Mini mill?
Save some money to outsource heat treating
 
Your needs are going to vary from mine most likely. But I'm wishing now that one of my first purchases had been a heat treat oven. Though having consumables is a necessity as well, you can buy them as you need them if you have to. Whereas a heat treat oven will be a major purchase. One draw back is I don't know of any decent heat treat ovens for around $1000. You will need to spend at least $1200 probably more.

I will add that for the majority of heat treat ovens you will need 240V. There are quite a few that are 110V. But personally I believe you get far more bang for your buck from a 240

Saving my scheckels for one now
 
Last edited:
seanj said:
Your needs are going to vary from mine most likely. But I'm wishing now that one of my first purchases had been a heat treat oven. Though having consumables is a necessity as well, you can buy them as you need them if you have to. Whereas a heat treat oven will be a major purchase. One draw back is I don't know of any decent heat treat ovens for around $1000. You will need to spend at least $1200 probably more.

I will add that for the majority of heat treat ovens you will need 240V. There are quite a few that are 110V. But personally I believe you get far more bang for your buck from a 240

Saving my scheckels for one now
Click to expand...
Thanks for the input! I guess I’ll need to save a little more money if I decide on an oven. I think I’d like a 240v also, luckily I’m an electrician so I’ll install what I need when the time comes💪🏼
 
Buy a cheap drill press and good cobald drill bits. I outsource HT and I'm happy with it.
Keep the rest of the money to buy whatever you end up needing. You'll probably want stuff you don't even know exists
 
it pays to buy sandpaper sheets in bulk. Usually 50 sheets per box. 60, 130, 220,320, 400, 600
a dead flat granite slab pays for itself, which ain't much.
a decent variety of good quality files, a hacksaw and some blades. Golf balls make for good and cheap file handles.
a portaband and drill press, to me, are essential tools- even more essential than a belt grinder if you're just starting out imo.
an assortment of basic handle materials- sheets of plain micarta and g10, and some pin stock or threaded fasteners of some kind if you prefer.
probably $1000 by now
 
DrubieG__MimicKnives said:
Hey BF makers, my name is Andrew and I recently decided to dedicate time, money, and effort into this passion of making knives and leatherworking. I have made a few knives and sheaths with humble hand tools, a few power tools(power drill, portable bandsaw, 1x30 belt sander) and a homemade coffee can gas forge. I will be picking up a 2x72 kmg soon from a BF member and have some more money to use ($1000 or so). I need some direction on how to best use this money for my purposes. I would love to hear suggestions from all of you on this. What would be the next essentials in the timeline of building my knife making skills and shop?

Much love and appreciation in advance!

Here’s some options I was considering:
Drill press
Heat treat oven
Knife making consumables (belts, steel, scale material, etc.)
Mini mill?
Save some money to outsource heat treating
Click to expand...
Drill press is almost essential if you dont want to get angry!
The rest CONSUMABLES mate, you'll chew through belts and sandaper fast when your technique is not up to scratch.
And again heat treat is essential.
 
DrubieG__MimicKnives said:
Hey BF makers, my name is Andrew and I recently decided to dedicate time, money, and effort into this passion of making knives and leatherworking. I have made a few knives and sheaths with humble hand tools, a few power tools(power drill, portable bandsaw, 1x30 belt sander) and a homemade coffee can gas forge. I will be picking up a 2x72 kmg soon from a BF member and have some more money to use ($1000 or so). I need some direction on how to best use this money for my purposes. I would love to hear suggestions from all of you on this. What would be the next essentials in the timeline of building my knife making skills and shop?

Much love and appreciation in advance!

Here’s some options I was considering:
Drill press
Heat treat oven
Knife making consumables (belts, steel, scale material, etc.)
Mini mill?
Save some money to outsource heat treating
Click to expand...

Are you planning on forging everything, stock removal or a combination of both?

I see you have a coffee can forge, have you got anvils, hammers etc.

I would consider a bench grinder high up on the list, with polishing mops or discs.

You are far braver than I, I have been "collecting" tools for over year planning to make knives eventually!
 
Check out auctions, FB marketplace, Craig's list, and look for a large drill press like an old craftsman or Dayton.
Look for a 12" bandsaw too, again an old craftsman or similar.
A knife makers vise is pretty handy.
A portiband and table for cutting metal.
Attachments for the kmg, small wheel, large wheel, ect.
I just got some extra tool arms from a member here and realized yesterday how much time is saved not having to un bolt everything when I change from platen to wheel.
 
Way-Barney said:
Are you planning on forging everything, stock removal or a combination of both?

I see you have a coffee can forge, have you got anvils, hammers etc.

I would consider a bench grinder high up on the list, with polishing mops or discs.

You are far braver than I, I have been "collecting" tools for over year planning to make knives eventually!
Click to expand...
I’m doing stock removal with O1 steel for now.

You should start messing around with what you’ve got so far!
 
Save your money, and send out for heat treatment.... that can be done later, in a few years.

You would ruin all your first knives.

You need to build confidence, and knife making has TONS to learn about, I feel that doing Everything all at once, in the beginning, is Too Much.


I agree with Lorien.
First 2x72
Drillpress, and a Portaband are very early purchases.
Granite plate, or disk sander, next.

There is Alot to think about, with how you want things done. I think it's a constant learning experience.

Good Luck, and have Fun!!!
 
2x72-
-Basic drill press with belts to change speed and lowest speeds setting you can get (basic but needs ability to tram the table and get it accurate
-porta band saw like from Harbor freight but with either their new stand that lets you hold it upright or swag offroad table
-A used kiln/heat treat oven capable of carbon steels and parks 50 opened my world a little. (bought aftermarket thermo couple and PID controller for it off ebay). It will take forever to get to temperature, but I hated sending out for heat treat.
-after this buy as you need. Files, sandpaper, drill bits, as you make you will problem solve and learn what you need from a tooling perspective to overcome the current problem.-- 123 blocks, file guide, etc... surface plate - or big piece of plate glass, height guage, ..
-the one thing you may not understand is the continual costs of abrasives, cutting tools., band saw blades .
 
As per Lorien and the others:
Drill and a good set of bits
Portaband saw (look for a used one and make a SWAG table for it.)
Sandpaper and belts
Granite surface plate
Files (12" Magic Cut and a 10" second cut)

What attachments did the KMG come with? You want a flat platen for sure. One that tilts is usefull. A 10" contact wheel can be nice, but not necessary.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
As per Lorien and the others:
Drill and a good set of bits
Portaband saw (look for a used one and make a SWAG table for it.)
Sandpaper and belts
Granite surface plate
Files (12" Magic Cut and a 10" second cut)

What attachments did the KMG come with? You want a flat platen for sure. One that tilts is usefull. A 10" contact wheel can be nice, but not necessary.
Click to expand...
Im picking up this one from Jack ONeill
 
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