New to making.

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dsalazar

Joined
Jun 22, 2017
Messages
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Hi everyone. I currently have the opportunity to start forging classes. It will start in a month and I will start with 1085 steel then finish the class with 5160.
I've re-handled fixed blades, stripped coatings, shaped new handles and some other mods bit never made a blade from steel.
I guess does any one have tips or advice before I jump in.
 
Hi dsalazar,
I dont have a forge. So i cant help you with that... but i have been making knives as a hobby for the last 3 years and can share my learningproces with you. Maybe it helps..(if not; just ignore my post... :-)

I use stock removal and what worked for me in the beginning was to keep it simple. The shape of my first knive was a straight piece if steel with a bevel and straight back blade shape. It helped me figure out the entire proces of building a knive.
After that first one i made more and made them more complex.
Along the proces of learning to make a knive, it helpt me sometimes not to focus on making a knive but just trying to learn a smal part of making a knive. I ones hand sanded a bar of steel for hours an hours to practice a satin finish. When i was happy about the result, i realised i didnt harden the steel... :(

I would say: go for it! Think it through and than try if it works. There's a lot to learn. Give it time and make a lot of knives. Test your knives, use them hard so every next knive will be better!
Good luck!
 
Don't get disheartened by mistakes or slow progress.stick with it
I read someone say once that all it takes to become a knife maker is determination.
Think that was hoss
 
Joseph H. said:
Hi dsalazar,
I dont have a forge. So i cant help you with that... but i have been making knives as a hobby for the last 3 years and can share my learningproces with you. Maybe it helps..(if not; just ignore my post... :)

I use stock removal and what worked for me in the beginning was to keep it simple. The shape of my first knive was a straight piece if steel with a bevel and straight back blade shape. It helped me figure out the entire proces of building a knive.
After that first one i made more and made them more complex.
Along the proces of learning to make a knive, it helpt me sometimes not to focus on making a knive but just trying to learn a smal part of making a knive. I ones hand sanded a bar of steel for hours an hours to practice a satin finish. When i was happy about the result, i realised i didnt harden the steel... :(

I would say: go for it! Think it through and than try if it works. There's a lot to learn. Give it time and make a lot of knives. Test your knives, use them hard so every next knive will be better!
Good luck!
Click to expand...

Good advice. I am definitely going to keep it simple in beginning. I'm sure not all the ones I make will be forged. Stock removal does sound like a good way to get the process down. Minus forging part. It will give me a chance to focus on heat treat, bevels, handles, and what not.
 
You are seeking out instruction, that puts you ahead of most.
Learn what is taught.
Enjoy the class.

Clean up when you are done.
 
I
3fifty7 said:
You are seeking out instruction, that puts you ahead of most.
Learn what is taught.
Enjoy the class.

Clean up when you are done.
Click to expand...

I'm just looking for advice not instruction. Like one that said don't give up.,some things can be discouraging when you go in to it and things go wrong. I know will make mistakes. But advice or tips. Like maybe if I should buy heat resistant gloves because they help alot or something of the sorts.
 
dsalazar said:
When you say duplicate do you mean blade shapes and styles.
Click to expand...

Yes, knife design is one of the more difficult aspects of knife making. Also, there are many different methods of knife making. I see lots of new makers trying to incorporate too many different methods into their knife making. There is an overload of information out there, a maker would be better off to find a mentor to guide them through the early stages until they develope their own methods and identity.

It takes a while to figure out if you want to make one off art pieces or duplicate a set of standard models.

Different coaches have different styles but all win games.

There is a certain rush making something beautiful and useful. Enjoy the journey.

Hoss
 
DevinT said:
Yes, knife design is one of the more difficult aspects of knife making. Also, there are many different methods of knife making. I see lots of new makers trying to incorporate too many different methods into their knife making. There is an overload of information out there, a maker would be better off to find a mentor to guide them through the early stages until they develope their own methods and identity.

It takes a while to figure out if you want to make one off art pieces or duplicate a set of standard models.

Different coaches have different styles but all win games.

There is a certain rush making something beautiful and useful. Enjoy the journey.

Hoss
Click to expand...
Very much appreciated. That is helpful advice. Sounds like I'm going to keep it simple as I can until experience is gained. Is there certain equipment that helps. Not tools but like welding aprons or leather gloves. Or ones that are better than others.
 
DevinT said:
Yes, knife design is one of the more difficult aspects of knife making. Also, there are many different methods of knife making. I see lots of new makers trying to incorporate too many different methods into their knife making. There is an overload of information out there, a maker would be better off to find a mentor to guide them through the early stages until they develope their own methods and identity.

It takes a while to figure out if you want to make one off art pieces or duplicate a set of standard models.

Different coaches have different styles but all win games.

There is a certain rush making something beautiful and useful. Enjoy the journey.

Hoss
Click to expand...

This is the best, most important, and hardest to follow advice you're going to get. Until you gain the confidence and ability to choose your own techniques and methods for good reasons related to your goals, your capabilities and your equipment, pick someone and do it their way. Don't ask the committee for their opinion on how to proceed with every detail. You may get 100 right answers but you only have enough time and energy to master 1 or 2.
 
dsalazar said:
Hi everyone. I currently have the opportunity to start forging classes. It will start in a month and I will start with 1085 steel then finish the class with 5160.
I've re-handled fixed blades, stripped coatings, shaped new handles and some other mods bit never made a blade from steel.
I guess does any one have tips or advice before I jump in.
Click to expand...

I recommend you contact the instructor or students who have completed the class for specific things to bring to help with the learning. Too many variables from class to class and from different instructors for the members here to give advice.

Hoss
 
You said you have the opportunity to take forging classes then spoke about them in the affirmative. I understood that as you are lined up to take classes, thus seeking instruction. Which is immensely valuable.

Advice
Don’t swing a hammer heavier than you can control.
 
3fifty7 said:
You said you have the opportunity to take forging classes then spoke about them in the affirmative. I understood that as you are lined up to take classes, thus seeking instruction. Which is immensely valuable.

Advice
Don’t swing a hammer heavier than you can control.
Click to expand...
Thats some good advice. Sorry about the wording. I should have said I took the opportunity to start. It starts jan 14th and i paid my spot. I'm not really looking for techniques or other people's process. It was just for the general stuff. I was provided info on what to wear. When I asked about other stuff like gloves, apron etc I was told that's up to me.
 
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