New knife maker?

P

PetersonME

Joined
Dec 21, 2005
Messages
15
I'm wondering if there is room for one more full-time knifemaker? I have been researching as many books as I can afford. I think I am about ready to put some equipment together. Perhaps there is someone who has recently decided to stop making knives that would be interested in sell some equipment? Should I take a class on knife making before I invest?
Thanks Marty
 
With your jewelry experience all you need is the jewelers saw to profile a blade and a few files to draw file one out. Just dive in and get your feet wet.

I wanted to quit the knife business this morning but got over it by noon.

Welcome.
 
i wouldn't invest a lot of money before you think about what you can do with what you already have. a little practice on a few kit knives, stock removal and maybe some basic heattreatment without using much more than you probably alrerady own. jewelers saw,files,sandpaper and the will to try is all you really need.


finishedlargesmall.jpg
 
you can start by making it down to the New england custom knifemakers association hammer-ins held in newbedford MA. or give indian george a buzz and see if you can stop on down there.
NECKA was put together so we could all kick back and eat pickled eggs and habaneros, i mean uhhh so we can kick back and teach others how to make knives. we have poeple in the club to teach every aspect of the business, from forging, and grinding blades to high end folders and fixed blades.
and how to drink tequila with habaneros and limes:D

hey look i havent noticed this smiley yet :jerkit:
is that the smiley for hand rubbed finishes???
 
PetersonME said:
I'm wondering if there is room for one more full-time knifemaker? I have been researching as many books as I can afford. I think I am about ready to put some equipment together. Perhaps there is someone who has recently decided to stop making knives that would be interested in sell some equipment? Should I take a class on knife making before I invest?
Thanks Marty
Click to expand...

Well Marty......... I decide to quit about every 30 minutes or so. But this danged stuff is addictive. After you make your first knife, you spend the rest of your life trying to make the next one better than the last..........."Crack-Heads" ain't got no addiction compared to makin' blades.

Do yourself a favor....... Read everything you can get your hands on (especially on the knife related forums). Attend knife-maker get-togethers (hammer-ins)...........Jump in feet-first with a "Can-Do" attitude, and see where it takes you.

It "ain't" for everyone, but for those who become addictited, there is nothing like it.

Besides, you will meet some of the most wonderful, and knowledge sharing friends on the face of this earth.

Go for it my man...........

Robert
 
I would think that one would want to start as a hoby, if the knives sell, go part time, then if you can make and sell enough to live on and you don't want to do anything else, go fulltime. If you really get the bug, you wont have time for anything else :p
 
Keep it safe! Thats the first thing. The second is keep it fun which has alot to do with the safety. You could read and talk and plan alot. I found that leads to thinking too much... a way to second guess your decsions and so you do not get as much done and action is what solves most challenges. Please first try to make alot of knives without looking at what anyone else is doing. I draw alot, and I see other's lines. Don't let that concept enter your knifemaking. Try to make the knives functional and let that dictate form and all the thousand descions involved in making knives.This will take learning by doing. A completed knife is a sum of "steps" break it down small enough you could do anything given time. Just don't get mental and the knife you design and start will in all probability not be the one you have completed. Thats ok too! These guys are serious, knifemaking is addicting because its absorbing, inventive and you get to see the results of your work..so your efforts are rewarded! Don't be in a rush to make your play your work. Enjoy this phase for what it is ad be ready to move on to the next if you see a way! Good luck! Be SAFE, thank you if you are.
 
I'm only 30 miles away. you are welcome to call me and come over on a Saturday and play in my shop. I have been recovering from an injury to my thumb caused by a broken mason jar, but will be starting back up in the shop early in January.

Marcel
 
Once the weather warms up we have mini-hammer ins down here on a Saturdays. We can do just about everything doing with knifemaking down here in my shop.:D
 
LoL live like a Hermit and make knives... Good one, Kit. That's about the size of it unless your name is George Rebello. :thumbup:
 
jhiggins said:
LoL live like a Hermit and make knives... Good one, Kit. That's about the size of it unless your name is George Rebello. :thumbup:
Click to expand...
Tell me about it.:confused: :confused: :confused: I got to start another head count to see how newbies and makers I have had over here.:D
Now is I was going to count turkey's Higgy would be the first one on my list.:p :D
 
Hi guys, Sorry to ressurect an old thread, I think its just better than starting a hundred of the same thing. I live in the UK (near London) and am interested in knife making, maybe eventually working up to swords and such.

Just wanted to ask what you would tell someone on the other side of "the pond" who knows very little... I can sharpen and use sand paper! (we all start somewhere) been looking around and I love some of the custom designs you guys have come up with.

Basically I'd like to know where to start? (apart from here). Would my colourblindness be a problem? Also, does anyone know anyone I can contact in the UK that would be able to help me?

Thanks,

Paul
 
MadTPot said:
Basically I'd like to know where to start? (apart from here). Would my colourblindness be a problem? Also, does anyone know anyone I can contact in the UK that would be able to help me?
Click to expand...

I'd suggest getting books to start, I'd say to get "$50 Knife Shop" by Wayne Goddard as your first book. It has good info about getting started cheap, and it covers both forging and stock removal so you can decide which path you prefer. Since you're colorblind you will need to get some high temp thermometers, since you won't be able to judge temp by color (assuming you'll be forging or heat treating your own blades). I bet you could find some knifemakers close to you here... http://www.britishblades.com/home/index.php
 
One thing i read was that the buffer is probably the most dangerous tool in a shop. Well when it sailed out of my hand and nailed my left hand cutting me i realized that what i had read on here was probably right.. That was my second attemp at a knife and it is coming ok..
Funny thing was when i started buffing it i remembered what guys had wrote in here.. And yet still wham,,the it was laying on the floor and me holding my hand...
haha,, boy it happened quick...Not giving up...just a battle scar
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top