Newbie here. Question about heat treating.

K

karmazon

Joined
Jun 21, 2009
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I want to get started in knife making. I don't have much money and limited space(corner in a garage). What equipment do I need to heat treat a knife and how much does it cost? Thank you.
 
I'm gonna cut them out from steel bars. Sorry, don't know what that's called. I'm not gonna forge anything.
 
Several options. One, build yourself a charcoal forge, get some 1080/1084 bar stock. Option two, buy yourself some stainless bar stock in any number of steels (440C, D2, 154CM, etc.) and send them out to be heat treated. Either will work, just depends on what kind of knives you want to make. Have you read all the stickies yet?
 
jkf96a said:
Several options. One, build yourself a charcoal forge, get some 1080/1084 bar stock. Option two, buy yourself some stainless bar stock in any number of steels (440C, D2, 154CM, etc.) and send them out to be heat treated. Either will work, just depends on what kind of knives you want to make. Have you read all the stickies yet?
Click to expand...

Yeah I read the stickies. I saw the option of sending them out to be heat treated but it's too expensive for me. Would charcoal forge be safe to be used inside of a garage?
 
Google or search the forums for 'one brick forge' There's also a 'two brick forge'

Those will probably be your best bet. Also coffee can forge...

People have even done it with the stove top electric burner and a propane torch for extra heat.
 
69_knives said:
Google or search the forums for 'one brick forge' There's also a 'two brick forge'

Those will probably be your best bet. Also coffee can forge...

People have even done it with the stove top electric burner and a propane torch for extra heat.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much!
 
Unless you want to make larger knives, one of Wayne Goddard's "one-brick" or "two brick" forges would be a good heat supply with easily variable heat capability. No matter the heat source (short of an electric kiln), you are going to need to deal with carbon monoxide.

One of the things you are going to have to come to grips with is the expense. A person can't build knives without spending some money. It sounds like you are going to be doing a fair amount of filing. Don't buy junk files... it's like throwing your money away. Get in touch with Falcon Tool Co. http://www.falcontool.com and ask for a catalog. They don't sell junk files and their prices are better than about any other place you will find.

Mike
 
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