New to the forum, new to knife making.

F

FullFreyDog

Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
10
Hello everyone. I've been lurking around a bit all ready reading over everything I could find and viewing a great deal of the knives in the gallery and sale section. So much impressive talent here!

I'm a young guy, relatively broke, and just enjoy making things. I tinker with guns, recently began learning some basics of wood working and wiring electronics, I've assembled a few high-ish end PCs for myself and friends,... and somehow became fixated on blades. I get a great deal of satisfaction out of holding something that I made or modified well beyond it's original intended use, so I'm interested in honing an ability as a craft more than trying to start an occupation.

I've chosen my materials and design (actually, I'm imitating an existing one) and think I've got my methodology figured out. At the very least I'm fairly certain that I won't be doing anything potentially lethal. I won't go into it at detail because I think I'll learn more by plunging forward and making analysis of my mistakes and successes afterwards.

If it's not too much to ask (as I'm sure it's been asked somewhere before, but I haven't found it so far) why'd you guys start out working blades? How old were you, and what was your original set up as far as materials and tools you used? If you have any pictures of your first knife(or knives), I'd love to see them!
 
Actually quite similar to you in regards that I love making and modifying my own things. Electronic and otherwise. The more absurd the better. I wanted to make a knife because I had a spicific idea of what I wanted made, and couldn't afford one made by anyone else. A kind of "to see if I could" type thing.


Can I ask what materials and design your using? I just wanted to make sure you don't end up making a wonderful looking non functional knife out of your old bed frame.
 
I loved fooling around with things like wood working computer tech stuff, and buying lots of knives. I figured focusing my energy on collecting knives was my final venture. That got expensive quick. After becoming a member here I started to read through the newbie sticky at the top of this forum and figured I would try it out. I bought the steel and at every step would post what I was about to do and many knifemakers here would let me know what to watch out for or correct me if I was doing something wrong. My first knife was made with a files, hacksaw and sand paper. The second one was with a 2x42 craftsman belt sander. Good luck and make sure to post pics of your progress.
 
Can I ask what materials and design your using? I just wanted to make sure you don't end up making a wonderful looking non functional knife out of your old bed frame.

LoL. I'm imitating the Red Scorpion Six WSK/ Tom Brown Tracker for my first two knives. I know it's a complicated design with multiple grinds and arguable performance, but I like the knife... and can't afford one. The only real modification I have planned is removing the two notches closest to the tip of the blade to hopefully increase strength there. I've been reading up on making micarta and have been considering making some for the handle, but figure that can be done after I've got the blades worked out. If nothing else, I've got plenty of paracord laying around to wrap a handle. I ordered 5160 steel online and hope that it'll do a good job. I've heard mixed opinions on using it for stock grinding, but general consensus is the heat treatment is the most important part of drawing desirable qualities out of any steel.

As far as tools, I've got a hacksaw, drill, sandpaper, files, and an angle grinder. Small coffee can forge and a magnet. Steel should be here soon, but I feel like I still have more reading to do before I'm ready to begin.
 
I'm going to bed now, So I wont bother trying to talk you out of it. Maybe someone else can fill in? That's going to be extremely difficult to make, especially with your given tools. I must say I hope you have a camera, I'm interested in watching how it works out for you.
 
i would agree, for a very first knife go for something small with simple lines.
You gotta walk before you can run
 
Read all of the "good info here" type stickies.
Pick a simple design like a 4" flatground loveless type or something like that

-good luck

-Page
 
my first
I read the 50 dollars knife shop book
material: old file, after anneal on fire
cutting tool: handsaw, Radiac Cut-Off, 3" from harborfraigt
profiling: files
drill: Makita hand drill
grind: 8" grinder/ buffer from harborfraigt
finish: sand paper and wood block
handle: dried orange tree wood
pins: bras from hobby supplier
seat: old boots leather

comments from people around me:
"way you want to make a knife"
"its that legal?"
"Too much work
"just buy one"
etcetera.
Nobody talk me out of it
 
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I'm in the process of making my first one(s)... I kind of have 2 going at the same time. One was cut out for me by a member here and the other I cut out myself with a hacksaw. I have it as a WIP thread which you can check out here I believe there is a link on one of the pages that shows my other one as well.

Take it from someone only a few steps ahead of you.... There is a lot of work involved in it and it's not an easy thing to do well. Go with something fairly basic until you get some knives under your belt. Then consider moving into more complex designs. Make it too tough the first time out and there is a good chance frustration causes you to stop.
 
I would like to say welcome. There is a large amount of knowledge here at your disposal. Use it. You will make mistakes, but don't hesitate to ask ?'s. We are all still learning. Is something like this what you are shooting for?
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Yes, something like that! Though, I'm sure mine will somehow be more droopy and molten. I'm aware that the design is difficult and often criticized even by experienced knife makers, but the challenge of it inspired me. It's now to the point where I'd rather try and fail than not try it. After an attempt or two at this design, I'll probably move on to something much smaller and simpler, but for now I'm sort of set.

That's really really nice, Mr. Sharpe. Any tips for this particular design?
 
Lessee... started making customs because I couldn't afford them. Could've bought some very nice customs by the time I made a knife I was willing to carry and use. :p

Was poor, had a wife and 2 kids and worked at a factory making $8/hr, my tooling was super primitive and to be honest I was much happier making knives then than a lot of the time I spent on my high dollar grinder. That's why I've moved back to using only hand tools to make knives. I'm not saying this approach would be for everyone but it's my journey in the craft and I'll travel it for a while.

My shop at the start:
Forge made from a garbage barbeque grill with a hair dryer for a blower
Anvil was a sledgehammer in a bucket of concrete
tongs were pliers with pieces of pipe hammered down over the handles to lengthen them
Several files from yard sales
Bench vise from a yard sale
Hand drill from a yard sale
Boxes of sandpaper
Buckets of sweat

Worked my way up to:
Variable Speed Burr King 2x72 grinder
Metal cutting bandsaw
Wood cutting bandsaw
Drill presses
Welder
Oxy/Acet Torches
Lots more files
Boxes of sandpaper
Angle grinders
Buffer
Sea Robin Anvil
Bunches of nice tongs
Leg Vise
Propane and waste oil forges (just switch burner out)
Super handy dandy tempering oven

Shop now:
Anvil
Files
Boxes of sandpaper
Drill press
Bandsaws (metal and wood)
Welder
Buffer
Angle grinders
Tongs
Hammers
Propane and waste oil forge (just switch burner out)
Bunches of tooling I've been making for my anvil
Stake anvil for flatting
Top fullering tool for putting my finger grooves in
Top and Bottom fullering for well fullering
Hot cutter that bolts into my tooling so I have better control
Leg vise
Super handy dandy tempering oven
The drill press, saws and angle grinders are used to fabricate tooling for my anvil and stuff around the shop, not in making my knives.

I made most of my early knives out of 1095, now I mainly use 1084 from Aldo. Primarily use hardwoods, stag and wrapped handles. I'm mainly known for my smaller knives, I do make large blades every once in awhile but most of my knives are 4" blades or less.
 
Will lmao you must be bored . All I can add to this thread is good luck and keep posting we will be here to help when you get some files and a piece of steel.
 
Thanks guys. I appreciate all the help I can get. And it's really great seeing the set ups some of you guys started with.
 
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