My first attempt at making a knife

Feezle

Feezle

Joined
Jan 30, 2012
Messages
519
A few hours in. Lots of learning. Who knew that I didn't know how to properly use a hacksaw? Lots of sweat and even some blood into this one so far (wear gloves). Going to make a jig tomorrow for filing the bevel and also work more on cleaning up the profile. Any feedback is welcome.

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See how your drew the top of your grind straight?

That grind line should follow the edge of the blade and curve with the blade.

As you file you will need to follow the edge to be successful and will drive yourself crazy trying to keep that straight. Follow the flow of the curve, then it will all come together much easier.
 
I'm assuming the jig will help with this. I'm considering just tapering the whole thing(flat gring I believe?).

AVigil said:
See how your drew the top of your grind straight?

That grind line should follow the edge of the blade and curve with the blade.

As you file you will need to follow the edge to be successful and will drive yourself crazy trying to keep that straight. Follow the flow of the curve, then it will all come together much easier.
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Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Good start.

I would also suggest that you leave off the lanyard hole for now. It will add one more problem to your first build. Once you have the basics down, add the extras.
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I may do that. The whole handle construction has me concerned anyway since I have no grinder and no band saw. Not quite sure how I'll be accomplishing it.
 
You can do it all with a wood rasp, some files, and sandpaper. A 4 in hand rasp should be available at most hardware stores, and would speed the process up a fair bit.

I did my first knives like that, and it was slow but it worked
 
You haven't filled out your profile, so we don't know if you are 16 or 60, live in the USA or Aukland, etc. That info will help us help you.

There is surely a neighbor/friend/BF member/shop teacher/etc. near you who could help with cutting out the handle scales on a bandsaw or scroll saw.

I highly suggest that you read the stickys and especially the one on "How to Instructions for Making a Knife".
I suggest a FFG - full flat grind for a first knife. That is a bevel d=from spine to edge. Simpler to do with limited tools and skills, too.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
You haven't filled out your profile, so we don't know if you are 16 or 60, live in the USA or Aukland, etc. That info will help us help you.

There is surely a neighbor/friend/BF member/shop teacher/etc. near you who could help with cutting out the handle scales on a bandsaw or scroll saw.

I highly suggest that you read the stickys and especially the one on "How to Instructions for Making a Knife".
I suggest a FFG - full flat grind for a first knife. That is a bevel d=from spine to edge. Simpler to do with limited tools and skills, too.
Click to expand...

I filled it out. I'm in the Youngstown, OH area. I have read the majority of the sticky threads. Very helpful.
 
Day 2.

I spent the majority of today rearranging my garage and building a filing jig. I'm not really a handy person so this was an accomplishment. I am not completely impressed with it and v2 will be a lot better.

I'm also not impressed with my files. I bought a pack of the Husky files as that is all my hardware store had. I will be going out to get a Nicholson Bastard file probably tomorrow. The filing started out ok but after a while my file became so littered with chips that it is just scratching up the blade. I need to get one of those file brushes too.

Oh and the whole drill bit as an edge scribe thing...thumbs down. I hope I end up with an even bevel but at this point I wouldn't put money on it. One more thing I need to look into purchasing.

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Definitely going to need a file card. On the next one start the plunge further forward on the blade. I seem to remember when I used a jig like that the plunge always seemed to end up further back than I planned.
I would also (on the next one) clamp the blade in a position so that when the file is against the bolt stop, it is in more of a vertical position. It is easier to work with a straight up an down plunge line as a beginner.
 
If you want to spend a bit more, grobet files are about the best there is.
Nicholson has gone down hill some since moving to Mexico and Brazil.
They're alright, just not great
 
So I realized that not all files labeled Bastard files are the same. I've been using a Bastard Mill file. That is probably why it has been taking so long.
 
I read someone on here, one of the higher end knifemakers that is also on this site, uses the husky files and takes them back for free replacement every time they dull because they have a lifetime warranty.

Your huskys might be just as good as the modern day Nicholson as Geoff pointed out.

Try to track down some older Nicholson black diamonds or the grobet or a magic cut file.
 
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The 10" Husky in the pack is a single cut. I need something double cut for profiling and beveling don't I?
 
Assuming it's the simonds magicut file you mentioned, I'd be wary of that too... Last Simonds files I bought had "India" stamped on them.
They cut OK, but my general experience with Indian made tools doesn't give me high hopes on them lasting too long......

I use files enough for fiddly detail work that grobet is all I buy anymore. They're just so much nicer to use, cut faster, leave a better finish, last longer, ect

That said you'd definitely want to get a file card, and a coarser file. Either a 00 cut Swiss pattern flat file, or a double cut coarse bastard file
Also the larger size files are as a general rule coarser than smaller files of the same "cut"
A 12-14" coarse bastard file will remove metal surprisingly quickly if you have a solid enough bench and vise to really put some muscle behind it
 
Thanks guys! I bought a file card yesterday and started using some sidewalk chalk on the file as well. It seemed to help some. It's still not moving enough metal. I didn't open the Nicholson that I bought yesterday and will be returning it and seeing if I can find it a double cut bastard file somewhere.

I have noticed that I'm getting more of a convex edge than a flat grind. I was doing some reading and I think it's because I'm seesawing the file a little bit. Going to try to work that out as well.
 
Try draw filing after a bit. That will smooth out the high spots quickly. I have and used a course double cut 10" bastard file when I did my first few on the filing jig like you have. They work very well for quick removal.
 
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