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daveinvegas

daveinvegas

Joined
Jan 2, 2009
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309
Howdie all,

I was recently laid off and I thought, since I have some time on my hands, I would try my hand with a knife kit. Since I purchased some blades, as opposed to making my own blades, and I am only installing or attaching handle material, I don't think I can really call myself a "knife maker", and I'm a novice handle maker at that (altho, I think my first efforts aren't bad). Right now I live in an apartment and can't even think about working with steel. Anyway, I guess I'm wondering if that is a correct statement that you don't "make" knives if you don't fashion the blade yerself? Thanks.
 
Welcome! Sorry to hear about your layoff.
I don't know what to call you, but you could work steel in an apartment, JTknives on here used to (or still does) grind out his knives living in an apartment.
 
JT is a full time knifemaker and lives in an apartment. Don't underestimate what you can do if you want to. Welcome to the addiction.
 
many people start with files and sandpaper, which can be quite apartment friendly as long as you don't mind dirty hands and the occasional sliver of steel stuck in your skin.:thumbup::D
 
Welcome many of us started out making kits. Its a good way to learn how to fit and finish a knife. That way when you start making your own blades you'll be ahead of the game.
 
Did i here my name ;). Yes i live in an apartment and make knives. I actually did it full time for a few months when i got laid off as an electrician. I now have moved my shop to my work as my boss was very kind as my apartment owners did not really like that i was making knives on a production level at the apartment. if your just doing knives for fun then there is no reason that you can do them while living in an apartment. but make the knives outside and only do light finish work inside. I would have to agree with what you said about not making the blades yourself. I think in order for some one to call themselves a knife maker they need to make the blades. I would relate it to a sheet rocker or painter pointing to a house and saying i built that house. they did not build the house thy just finished it and dressed it up, the builder is the one that built the house. Its a fine line that gets fought back and fourth a bit. I think in order to call you self a knife maker you need to have all the skills to make a blade and fit a guard and handle. But your on the right track. get yourself a few nice files, one flat file and one round file. a chain saw file works good for the round file. also get a hack saw and a drill with a few drill bits. there are a few other tools that make things nice when your just starting out. keep at it and injoy the learning experience.

O i almost forgot, a good place to get steel in small quantity is www.flatground.com thay have good prices on O1.
 
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Thanks for the welcome. JT: I have files, bits, drill press, grinder, belt sander, band saw, router, small wood lathe, hack saws, coping saw, Dremels, some blades, wood, Kydex press, screw gun and other tools. I bought the stuff to make gun and knife display stands and 1911 and High Standard derringer grips. I have the bench tools in the laundry room off the balcony and a bedroom dedicated as a work space. I usually build 1911's and do a little gunsmithing and decided that knives would be fun too and give me a better opportunity to create something a bit more unique. At this point I'm gonna have to depend on this for a few bucks to supplement the unemployment check. It's kinda tough going from $4500.00 a month to $1500.00 a month but I'm discouraged (yet). Thanks again everyone.
 
1911's a, i have been wanting to get me one in 10mm. sounds like your all set up then.
 
I started in a one stall garage (which was also my house at the time) with a
3" vise, 1/2 of a kithchen table, and a 3/8" plastic Rockwell drill. While I wouldn't
want to go back there- you can make knives if you want to.
Ken.
 
Dave , dont forget , Jan 16th-18th , Knife Show at the Riviera Hotel.

Be good to meet some more Vegas folks. ( Henderson here ).

I started with a 1 x 42 , a vise , a hand drill , and had minimal space to work on the front porch , now I have a 1100+sq ft shop . Never get discouraged , make do with what ya got.
 
John T Wylie Jr said:
Dave , dont forget , Jan 16th-18th , Knife Show at the Riviera Hotel.

Be good to meet some more Vegas folks. ( Henderson here ).

I started with a 1 x 42 , a vise , a hand drill , and had minimal space to work on the front porch , now I have a 1100+sq ft shop . Never get discouraged , make do with what ya got.
Click to expand...

I'm jealous!!
 
dave sounds like you got lots to start making knives inm kinda like you but i live in a basement like a troll all winter it -47 here today yes -47 so i stay inside as much as possibe . I have a room in the basement i just set up for knife making . go but a small 1 inch x20 inch table top belt sander /disc sander they run 75 bucks and its money well spent. I shaped 2 knives and handles in 3 days i did what you did as well and bought some blades so for now ill master handles and soon ill go to my friends shop and build a forge that way im ready in the summer ill be set. belts are about 75cents a piece and i use 60 grit 80 grit and 120grit the rest is hand sanded. i also bought a sanding drum set for 25 bucks it will attach to any drill press and really does a nice job on the finger gaurd area when sanding. kellyw
 
KellyW, sanding drum, for a drill press? What brand? I like that. I was thinking about buying a drum sander but would rather have a" belt sander for now. Thanks
 
Dave

The show is knives and guns , mostly custom knives , it is held with the antique arms show.
Not nearly the show it once was , but certainly worth it for the locals.

Check it out , it's worth it.
 
Hello:


Dave..I am/was in the same boat as you are, but I found a "teacher" more or less and as long as I show up every now and then with cold clamato juice and some tabasco he's very happy to let me "hang out" and ask questions and stuff.

I live in an area where the houses are close but not too close, but a coal forge is out of the question flat out and even hammering on an anvil gives me some aprehension so I go over to Jim's and he lets me use his. What that man can do is simply amazing....He has shown me a whole lot in the last few months. Most of it is way beyond me as he's working on winding up his 4th book...I am no where near his level, but still every little bit helps.

As far as I know he will be at the show next weeked at the Riviera, I will probably be there Friday...

Jason.
 
of course it will be worth it Les , you will be there.

If nothing else , the ride from the airport will be an experience ;)
 
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