New to knifemaking. First tool to buy?

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therulebookman

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May 10, 2007
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I am new to knifemaking, and haven't made anything, but I think I can do it based on the research I've done so far, but I dont have any tools yet.

So my question is this, besides relatively inexpensive tools (files, drill bits, etc.) what is the best (and I think "most versatile" more specifically) tool I can get to start knifemaking for ~$30.

Some options of used tools I've seen on Craigslist for around this price are: Dremel w/ attatchments, Bench grinder (wheel type), and angle grinder. I already have a drill. Any other suggestions would be great.

Thanks in advance.
 
First tool to buy is actually a book called $50 Knife Shop by Wayne Goddard. HE shows you how you can make a knife and spend no more than $50.
 
In order of need...vise, drill press, buffer, grinder, etcher (for your name).

You can make a knife with files if you can hold it securely in a decent vise.
A Drill press is necessary for accurate holes.
Buffer to polish blades, guards and handles.
Grinder when you have to increase your production over what you can do with files.


If you start to make folders a milling machine is very helpful.
 
okay... i just posted that... before there were any replys... i take mine back. go with what George said. but when you do end up getting a grinder.... here you go:




i would sugest a grinder. i would also suggest a 4 1/2" angle grinder. it allows you to do rough work, (for when you have a real grinder) but it also alows you to see what you are doing. so you can do the rought stuff with the angle grinder and finish with files and or paper. that is my personal opinion, so anythin you do should be weighed against what will work best for you. there are no absolutes except well... er... okay there are some. but when it comes to how you make knives... it is what works for you

someone is prolly going to come and beat me with a stick now... but hey.. thats what i think

have fun!
and i hope this helps
~Chris
 
Knifemaker87 said:
someone is prolly going to come and beat me with a stick now... but hey.. thats what i think

have fun!
and i hope this helps
~Chris
Click to expand...

I'll be the one to beat you with a stick!!! :D But what these guys said is one really good opinion. I would suggest going to Harbor Freight and looking at what they have. You can get just about everything they are saying to get for about $100. It will work for now and you can make many knives with them.
 
Have you considered buying a kit blade and building that? Then all you'd need are hand tools (a drill (preferably electric which could be borrowed -hopefully), a couple of files, a couple of C clamps and a board or a medium vise, a small hammer, a screwdriver, a bunch of sandpaper and glue)? Just curious.

Syn
 
That is a tough question. I had a semi stocked workshop before I decide to try making knives. I would have to say the first important things were a belt grinder and a drill press. Those were the things I used to make my first knife. Although I had purchased it for R/C plane making, the 4x36 belt sander worked pretty nice once I glued a creamic tile cut to size on the platen. The 6" disc on teh side was nice, but I burned up discs pretty fast. At the time I did not have the faintest idea that I could use plain sheets and trim them to fit after using spray glue. I have since yanked the 6" disc and trimmed back the guard that went around it since it was starting to get in my way. But some folks have been suggesting this belt sander.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...rtical=TOOL&subcat=Sanders&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

My drill press is a benchtop model, actually a 9" model. You might find something else in another brand that you like, but for the most part you cannot go wrong with sears stuff. this one is a 10" model.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...=TOOL&subcat=Drill+Presses&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
 
I'm with Chris on the right angle grinder suggestion.
They can be used as a cut off saw using the 6" thin kerf blades. Excellent for this.
With an abrasive wheel attached you can do much of the rough grinding and profiling. I have two that I use in tandem. One of the most used tools in the shop.

Best of luck, Fred
 
Okay then.................if you're gonna go with the right angle grinder idea I have a thought about what you need to buy before you start grinding away.

REALLY GOOD SAFETY GLASSES

maybe even a face shield to go over them. Eyes are priceless, more then almost any other body part.

I'm ignoring the dust mask and other protective gear for now.

Syn
 
This is coming from someone who uses files, and for whom owning a real grinder is far in the future... but if that 30 is the only $30 you'll have for a while for knifemaking, I might just keep it for the supplies you'll use up. Quality steel (Such as 01 or 1095, whichever. I like 1095, personally), pin stock, sandpaper (Use it like it's free, is the advice around here for good looking finishing.), replacement files (They wear out somewhat quick if you're really filing a lot) etc.

Jacob mentioned the $50 knife shop.. it's an invaluable resource for technique, and material/equipment suggestions

.. A drill press is important to have, though, if you just have to get a big tool. I use files, and I still use a press. There's nothing like having nice straight holes.
 
Well, I'll have more than $30 in the future, but $30 is whats left of a gift that I recently received, and I just wanted it to go toward knife making tools. As far as material, I plan on my first knife being 5160 as I have heard that it is fairly easy and cheap to get, and the handle being paracord wrapped and I already have the paracord (this may change...we'll see). I've been planning to use files and my electric (cordless) drill and a hacksaw, like in that link from the beginners sticky. I was just wondering if there was something that I could get for $30 that would make that first knife easier and that I could use in the future.

One other thing to consider, I'd like for the tool to be fairly versatile to other crafts like carpentry or something because I'm prone to jump from hobby to hobby, and just in case I jump to something else, I'd like for it to at least be potentially useful. The angle grinder seems like it might be a good option due to its versatility (maybe not for wood working but for other things).

Is there any way to secure an angle grinder to a workbench in a sort of fashion that it could be used similarly to a bench grinder?

speaking of a first aid kit...do any of you use a cut resistant/proof glove when working at all? It seems that getting cut would be pretty easy, since I already know its easy while sharpening.

Thanks, yall have been a great help so far.
 
Harbor Freight has a 1x30 belt sander/grinder for $30. You can also use it for wood working and other things. My first belt grinder was a 1x30 from Harbor Freight. I used it to make my first knife and still use it to this day mostly for handle work. Hope this helps. You can go on the Harbor Freight website (www.harborfreight.com) and find a store near you if you don't know where one is.
 
A cheap angle grinder can be had from HF for $10-$15 and will be useful for cutting and profiling, but I wouldn't bother grinding with it. Buy some decent files and shape your blade. Just buy GOOD FILES and you will be able to draw file it rather quickly. Goddard's book has a bit on how to properly draw file.

The drill press is a great idea as is a good vise. You really do *need* a vice.

You may end up spending more time filing/sanding out the ridges and uneven grinds if you try to grind with an angle grinder, knives are not what they're made for. Belt sanders are appealing, but they just don't compare to a belt grinder... don't know why people insist on calling belt sanders grinders, they are sanders being used as grinders. Kinda like calling a knife a screwdriver...

As much as it hurts, don't let yourself cheap out and continually upgrade your power tools, go without until you've saved for something worthwhile. The KMG is awesome, but even a Coote is a fine, fairly affordable grinder if you're patient enough to save for it.

Just my opinions.
 
If all you have is $30 - get two GOOD (not at HF) files and a stack of wet-or-dry sandpaper. You will need 100, 220, and 400 grit. Use a block of hardwood to back them while sanding. Many superb knives have been made with nothing more.
Next cheap tools would be a 4" angle grinder and a vise.
Stacy
 
#1 Grinder
#2 Drill Press
#3 Buffer
#4 Vise
#5 Heat Treat Oven
#6 Stamp For Name

More information at my Website, check out my Knife Shop Tour. And I hope this was of help to you.
 
therulebookman said:
Well, I'll have more than $30 in the future, but $30 is whats left of a gift that I recently received, and I just wanted it to go toward knife making tools. .... I was just wondering if there was something that I could get for $30 that would make that first knife easier and that I could use in the future.
Click to expand...
Put me down as another vote for the angle grinder. Compared to the draw-your-profile-drill-holes-around-it-and-hacksaw-through-the-holes plan, it'll save you a TON of time. An angle grinder is not a precision tool, so cutting barstock into pieces and roughing out your blanks is the perfect place in the process to use one. And, it's less than $30, just like you asked for.
Keep in mind that an angle grinder throws big, hot, jagged sparks fast and far. Take steps to keep the sparks (which cool quickly into jagged little bits of steel) out of your eyes, mouth, off your clothes and hair as much as you can, and for the love of God, away from flammable parts of the building.

therulebookman said:
Is there any way to secure an angle grinder to a workbench in a sort of fashion that it could be used similarly to a bench grinder?
Click to expand...

NO. THEREIN LIES DESTRUCTION.
 
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