Making my first knife and sheath

V

Vivi

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A while back I posted about making a knife using the bare minimum of tools and materials. I'm ready to try it now that the weather has had a chance to cool.

I have a small file and an old axe handle I wanted to make the knife from. I thought the easiest way, based on the links I read, would be to heat the file to soften the metal, then grind / cut it into shape using whatever I can find and finally make a slot in the axe handle and insert the stick at the end of the file into it for a partial / hidden tang knife. Does this sound like a good idea or should I go about it another way?

Also, I wanted to try and learn to make my own sheath's. I was wondering where to order the leather I would need and where I can read up on sewing techniques, treating the leather, getting inserts into the sheath and so forth.
 
You did not mention heat treating. Heat it up red-orange in very low light, let cool, that should be enough to allow working on it. When you have it shaped to your satisfaction you will have to harden, and temper it. Again, heat red-orange, quench in warm thin oil, then, using an oven thermometer, bake for an hour at 450o. Let cool to room temp. Repeat the bake one, or two more times. You should have a decent blade. What I described is a simplistic approach, but will do well for a simplistic knife. Later, you can get into more complicated, and controlled methods, but this would be a good start until you learn more about it all.
 
You don't say where you're at in NE Ohio on your profile, but there are many good and friendly knifemakers in your area that would most likely be willing to assist with the heat treatment. There is a gentlemen in Columbiana County (mdoyle I think), just east of Canton, Ohio if I remember correctly. There are others also. Look one of them up and see if they will assist you with your project. Just remember to not wear out your welcome, if invited to their shops. Some of them rely on knifemaking to put food on the table and a roof over their heads, and their time is extremely valuable.

When I visit another makers shop, I try to show up with something valuable to them in my hands, if possible. Even if it's just asking if they'd like you to pick up a Starbucks for them on your way to the shop. Be courteous, have an open mind and don't request or expect them to use their shop tools on your project. If I would like to work in another makers shop, I always offer to pay for that service. For example, I spent three days in another makers shop (8 hours a day), making damascus. I paid $150 per day for the use of the power hammer, forge, gas, welding rod, tools, etc.

Be a good friend when visiting another makers shop and you'll make a friend.

Good luck with your project.

Ickie
 
It's a long drive, but for $150.oo a day, you don't have to bring anything. Hell, I'll give you a sandwich, coffee, and a piece of steel to play with, and a place to sleep when you wear yourself out, plus instruction. When you want to take a break, I have a thousand feet of St. Johns River bank you can fish from.
 
scottickes, I'm just a bit south of Akron.

bikermikearchery, thanks for that link. That should help me get started with the sheath when I'm ready to make it.

LRB, thanks for your generous offer and your informative post about heat-treating. I'd love to take a little knife making vacation and begin learning a new skill.

I'll update this thread whenever I try and heat up then shape the file, letting you guys know what happens.
 
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