New member checking in

MasonOstrom

MasonOstrom

Joined
Dec 28, 2022
Messages
104
Good morning all. New member and a new knife maker checking in. I’ve only been making knives for about a month now but in that time I have made some that I am very happy with. I’ll be checking in here for info on improving my product as well as just general knife nerdery.
 
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These are a few examples of some knives I’ve made. Right now it is basic stock removal with 1/8” 1084 steel blanks. I’m using basic home tools for profiling and grinding bevels. Heat treat is done in a brick pile “forge”, then tempered twice in the toaster oven. Handles have been everything from oak to g10 to micarta, and I’m working on some segmented scales from micarta and g10 scraps right now. Currently I’m working to save up for a legitimate belt grinder and a more efficient way of heat treating.
 
Gotta love the satisfaction of turning out a great final product, especially working with rudimentary tools and equipment..

Welcome to the forum bud, it's good to have you!
 
Nice job!
Newbie maker here too.
You will be amazed at the difference a variable speed grinder makes.
Also, go buy a porta-band saw and either buy a table or make one. HUGE IMPROVEMENT for not much $.
 
Forrest Taylor said:
Nice job!
Newbie maker here too.
You will be amazed at the difference a variable speed grinder makes.
Also, go buy a porta-band saw and either buy a table or make one. HUGE IMPROVEMENT for not much $.
Click to expand...
I’ve got a bench top band saw but it really only gets used for handle material. I’m having a heck of a time finding blades for cutting metal for it.
 
I’m a new member, once I get gold membership I will be selling 2 Spyderco knifes. And much more on here. I do plan on dealing with and meeting new people.
 
Welcome to BF! Looking forward to seeing more of your finished work 👍
 
MasonOstrom said:
I’ve got a bench top band saw but it really only gets used for handle material. I’m having a heck of a time finding blades for cutting metal for it.
Click to expand...

Depending on the model the blade speed may be too high. I tried using my 12 Craftsman band saw when I started. Even with metal cutting blades it just wouldn't cut annealed steel like D2. I bought a Milwaukee Porta-Band and built a table and mounted it to the wall. Works fantastic.
 

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Forrest Taylor said:
Depending on the model the blade speed may be too high. I tried using my 12 Craftsman band saw when I started. Even with metal cutting blades it just wouldn't cut annealed steel like D2. I bought a Milwaukee Porta-Band and built a table and mounted it to the wall. Works fantastic.
Click to expand...
I wonder if that’s the issue with mine. It’s a 9” craftsman. It was a cheap offer up find, but has worked well for cutting handle and sheath material.
 
Welcome!

Very nice start to what will hopefully be a lifelong passion
 
MasonOstrom said:
I wonder if that’s the issue with mine. It’s a 9” craftsman. It was a cheap offer up find, but has worked well for cutting handle and sheath material.
Click to expand...
I use my 12" for cutting everything except metal.
Before getting the Porta band I was profiling my blades with a sawzall or a hack saw. Neither one worked very well.
 
I use a angle grinder and cutoff wheel, and a jig saw with metal blades for roughing out my knives. Im actually profiling and beveling on a 3x18 hand belt sander clamped in my vise. A legit grinder (probably a 1x42 or 2x42) will be my first order of tool upgrades.
 
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