New to Knife making. Could use some advice! Thanks!

N

NightPanther

Joined
Mar 25, 2019
Messages
6
Hello!
I could really use some advice on knife making and would greatly appreciate any tips/tricks from all you vets out there.
I've never made a knife before but I really want to make a survival knife for all the hiking/camping I do, especially for summer! I have a really good Schrade SCHF45 bowie knife but to have something to call my own is really special to me and is something I always wanted to do.

Im kind of in a pickle though because I dont have any tools or a place to operate and do the work.
I was wondering is there any way to get around this? Is there manufacturing places that can cut out steel for you? Or would I need to get in contact with someone? Maybe offer to pay them to let me use their shop/tools?

Heres my plan so far: And please tell me if this is a bad idea or if its maybe something thats not possible at all. hahah

Looking on the internet I found some Damascus steel billets online for a kinda decent price... I think... Would I be able to cut out my knife pattern via just a hack saw that I could pick up from Lowes? I live in an apartment so its a challenge to get to power tools.
Would cutting the knife straight out of a billet not be as strong as something that was forged? I might be a little confused...

If its possible to cut with a hack saw and I got the profile down... My Dad does have a belt grinder he would let me use. Maybe I could sharpen it and clean it up with that? He lives about 2 hours away from me so I could plan a weekend to just do that if it would work.

Also if there is any knife making sources out there for noobs I would greatly appreciate it!!
Thanks for your time!!
 
When I first started I went on Ebay and got a already drilled and sharpened blank with scale holes

I finished the handle and pinned it. I always suggest people new start there because the blade forging and grinding is one thing but I struggled the most with finishing it and is still my least favorite part.

As for your work space a tool box with files and a hack saw is where many start. But I'm no expert just some thoughts. You can make nice stuff with hand tools you just have to have the patience it takes to cut that stuff up and milling with files. It's easy but takes a lot of time

There's this old man on here that just use files and sand paper and his is some of the best custom knives I've ever seen
 
Oh man thats awesome!! I would really love to see his work.
I've always wanted to get into knife making but I was under the impression that it costs a lot for all the tools? I can definitely buy a hacksaw and files and all that...
Hand tools, what i mean...
I think thats really incredible to do. Maybe I think thats where I should start. :)
P.S. Love your signature!!!
 
If you want to make one knife, buying a blank and finishing it out would be the best way to go.

If you want to make more than one, a small investment in tools will get you started.
These aren't optimal, but will get the job done, and you can upgrade later.

$9 angle grinder from Harbor freight
$59 Small belt grinder from HF
$59 drill press from HF

Small heat treat forge (you can build one for less than $100).

Assorted bits, belts and cut off wheels and epoxy.

Some steel from Aldo and handle material, and some brass rod for pins.

You'll be making knives in no time.
 
Bad Ninja said:
If you want to make one knife, buying a blank and finishing it out would be the best way to go.

If you want to make more than one, a small investment in tools will get you started.
These aren't optimal, but will get the job done, and you can upgrade later.

$9 angle grinder from Harbor freight
$59 Small belt grinder from HF
$59 drill press from HF

Small heat treat forge (you can build one for less than $100).

Assorted bits, belts and cut off wheels and epoxy.

Some steel from Aldo and handle material, and some brass rod for pins.

You'll be making knives in no time.
Click to expand...

Ohhh thats not bad at all!! Im guessing a little under $400 would get a small hobby going?! :)
I really like Frozen Bears idea of using hand tools for a start.
Although would love to get a little set up going if its something I really enjoy. Im going to go talk to my dad... Maybe he would be interested too and we could set it all up on his property. Father/Son knife making bonding time! hahah :)
I just dont think the apartment landlord would appreciate it if I was outside using a small forge. Then I would have to awkwardly explain that im making a knife. :p
 
Books are your friend. Go to Amazon or your library. Titles you want:

The $50 Knife Shop
Modern Guide to Knifemaking by Zerra
Step by Step Knife Making by Boye
How to Make Knives by Barney

This forum can help - go here: https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/shop-talk-bladesmith-questions-and-answers.741/

Seek local help, go to a gun show or (even better) a knife show. For example, the Oregon Knife Collector's show in Eugene, OR will have custom makers, most of who belong to multiple professional organizations for bladesmiths. Those organizations will have reps and tables at larger shows.

Buy one more book - the latest Knives annual - it will have, in the back, lists of all the clubs, professional organizations, and custom makers. See who's near you and talk to them. Also check out local meetings. and "hammer-ins".

Good luck. There are several dozen guys on this forum who started just by what they picked up here. Charlie Mike (RIP) was a great example.
 
You NEED a hacksaw, a coarse, large file, a smaller, finer file, a good clamp(and a surface to clamp to) wet/dry sandpaper 120-180-240-400. (Wrap the paper around a free paint stirring stick)
With that you can make a knife on your balcony.
I started out in a small appartement.
You will want lots of other tools etc after that but this is enough to get you started if you outsource HT.
 
With most tools you arnt paying for a better final product youre paying to get there faster if that makes sense. Your paying for efficiency. A small drill press followed by a cheap angle grinder will save a lots of time. With a grinder make sure it's corded. This stuff can easily be found on Craigslist for dirt cheap.
 
scott kozub said:
With most tools you arnt paying for a better final product youre paying to get there faster if that makes sense. Your paying for efficiency. A small drill press followed by a cheap angle grinder will save a lots of time. With a grinder make sure it's corded. This stuff can easily be found on Craigslist for dirt cheap.
Click to expand...

A cheap angle grinder is about $9 with warranty at HF.
Tabletop drill press is under $60.
With warranty.
 
Frozen Bear Trading said:
When I first started I went on Ebay and got a already drilled and sharpened blank with scale holes

I finished the handle and pinned it. I always suggest people new start there because the blade forging and grinding is one thing but I struggled the most with finishing it and is still my least favorite part.

As for your work space a tool box with files and a hack saw is where many start. But I'm no expert just some thoughts. You can make nice stuff with hand tools you just have to have the patience it takes to cut that stuff up and milling with files. It's easy but takes a lot of time

There's this old man on here that just use files and sand paper and his is some of the best custom knives I've ever seen
Click to expand...
Hi bear I agree with you, I found a blade on eBay(old) and I've become a student of Mr Gary Finlay ,he knows his stuff i'm learning heaps from him/I is customer and eBay friend as well.. works out well.. Anyway my first post,my knife blade arrived top Solingen Bowie blade,$16aus start as a learning like spprenticeship on my own virtually. .Put on scale s
Frozen Bear Trading said:
When I first started I went on Ebay and got a already drilled and sharpened blank with scale holes

I finished the handle and pinned it. I always suggest people new start there because the blade forging and grinding is one thing but I struggled the most with finishing it and is still my least favorite part.

As for your work space a tool box with files and a hack saw is where many start. But I'm no expert just some thoughts. You can make nice stuff with hand tools you just have to have the patience it takes to cut that stuff up and milling with files. It's easy but takes a lot of time

There's this old man on here that just use files and sand paper and his is some of the best custom knives I've ever seen
Click to expand...

and email myself. Lotta work to do by hand but very satisfying best affair I have W/knives.. regards live well& easy my friends....Baba⚔️️
 
as someone already mentioned , make some handles for already made blades , then slowly move to harder work,
start with files, hacksaw and sandpaper and buy tools then you know you need it .
At starting point you shouldnt think about saving time try to make best work you can no matter how much time it takes .
and dont save on tools if you are serious about this , cheap tools just waist of money .
 
Places to buy pre-made blanks that only need handles.
USA Knifemakers Supply
Texas Knife Supply
Jantz Knife Supply
Knifekits.com
 
Stacy's list of pre made blanks would be a good way to start.
If you want to do it yourself with files look up Aaron Gough's filing jig.
Also Be careful buying blades on ebay, I have seen many people complaining here over the years that they bought blades from ebay that were junk and wouldnt harden ( being new you may not even notice it). You usually get what you pay for.
 
Don't buy any damascus steel that is cheaper than what's sold by Alabama Damascus (www.alabamadamascussteel.com). If it's cheaper than ADS, it's 99.9% sure to be unknown steel from Pakistan or India. Even when they specify the steels used, it may be wrong. Better to use a known steel like 1084 which you can heat treat yourself very simply in a 2 brick forge.

I started in an apartment using a hacksaw, files, Harbor Freight drill press, Grizzly 1x30" belt sander, and a 2 firebrick forge heated by Bernzomatic TS4000 torch. You can get away without the drill press and belt sander if you substitute a handheld drill, lots of sandpaper, and even more patience. I did everything on my apartment porch with heat treating at night usually so less questions that way (always keep a fire extinguisher close!). Even now at my house, I still work on my front porch, and the only thing I upgraded was going to the 30000 BTU burner from Atlas Knife and Tool for my 2 brick forge.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Places to buy pre-made blanks that only need handles.
USA Knifemakers Supply
Texas Knife Supply
Jantz Knife Supply
Knifekits.com
Click to expand...

Oh my gosh!!! This is exactly what I was looking for!!!
Ive been browsing the past 2 hours just looking at these billets and blanks lol.. my world is blown hahah.
One of them is really really close to the design I want but I really need it bigger for the Ozark Forests that im in as well as a cosmetic hammer'd look. <--- Yeah I know it might be a little tacky :p

Also I dont mean to sound like a coward here but I saw that you can pay to get your blades heat treated?
https://www.petersheattreat.com/
I think that might be a pretty good idea too... I want to make this a hands on project as much as I can but I really dont want to ruin it if its something that im proud of.

Anyways thanks again!
Have a great day
 
milkbaby said:
Don't buy any damascus steel that is cheaper than what's sold by Alabama Damascus (www.alabamadamascussteel.com). If it's cheaper than ADS, it's 99.9% sure to be unknown steel from Pakistan or India. Even when they specify the steels used, it may be wrong. Better to use a known steel like 1084 which you can heat treat yourself very simply in a 2 brick forge.

I started in an apartment using a hacksaw, files, Harbor Freight drill press, Grizzly 1x30" belt sander, and a 2 firebrick forge heated by Bernzomatic TS4000 torch. You can get away without the drill press and belt sander if you substitute a handheld drill, lots of sandpaper, and even more patience. I did everything on my apartment porch with heat treating at night usually so less questions that way (always keep a fire extinguisher close!). Even now at my house, I still work on my front porch, and the only thing I upgraded was going to the 30000 BTU burner from Atlas Knife and Tool for my 2 brick forge.
Click to expand...

Awesome! This is great advice. I saw a lot of Damascus online going for like $30-100 range. Im going to be more wary now.
 
Where are you located? If you lived by me, I’d help you make a knife for a 6 pack of beer or a pound of good coffee beans. ;) There may be other makers who’d do the same.

That said, it doesn’t take $100,000 in tools to make a good knife, and many of the tools should be in your average home shop regardless, or in other words, will have continued use well beyond knife making.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top