Newbie looking to get started.

N

NazT

Joined
Jan 12, 2010
Messages
11
First time poster, long time reader.

I'm in the gather information stage now about knife making.
It's the excited stage and the "holy #$@!" stage there is so much that to learn I don't know where to start.

I'm getting some books Step-by-Step Knifemaking- David Boye, THE ADVANCE KNIFE MAKERS MANUAL - Harold Hoffman. I don't know if they're any good or not I just needed some place to start. I'm reading everything I can on the web too, not sure how factual it is.

So where do I start? From what I've been reading a kit is the best place for me to start, but which one? And what else will I need (you guys must think kits are for losers, ALL of your knives are OUTSTANDING!)
What tools will I need? I have files and drills but I'm lost on things like stones and grinders and cutters.

I've read the noobie postings just need some guidance and I know the great people here will help.

Thanks for all your help, keep up the great work!
 
Welcome to BFC! The guys here will help you out alot. I myself buoght a piece of ats 34 and used a dremel tool, hacksaw, files and sandpaper to make my first one and sent it to Texas knifemaker Supply for the heat treat. I bought the steel there too. After the first one I decided to buy a 2x42 belt sander from sears for 140 bucks. and I havn't stopped spending money since. If you can afford a beter grinder then get it. I made more tha 30-40 knives on the craftsman though. Good luck and have fun. We love pics too.
 
Welcome,get a paid subscription so you can use the search feature.nearly everything been asked and covered before.
 
Check out the catalogs and websites for TexasKnifeMakers and Jantz. They have the supplies and equipment you will eventually need. They also have kit blades to get started on. I'll check the shop tomorrow. I might have a couple of old kit blades kicking around that I could shoot up to you.
 
Hey, welcome to the Jungle.

I'm from Newton actually and its nice to see someone from the area getting into it. I don't have too much of a shop (nor am I that good of a maker) but send me an email sometime (tcasals11@gmail.com) if you want to swing by and I'll see what I can do to get you started.
 
Welcome again,
I see that you are in New England. ( the profile helps a lot)
There are a lot of makers up there, and several knife makers organizations. There are hammer-ins held many times a year at places like Indian George's forge, Ashokan (NY), and then there is the ABS School of Bladesmithing, which is held at the New England School of Metalworking.

Send Indian George an email and he will fill you in on many of the local Boston area makers and events. indgeo@juno.com ( I think that is current)

Others to contact would be Tim Zodawa, Don Fogg.

Stacy
 
You can come down for a visit before a Hammer-In.I Usually have people over here ever Saturday when the weather warms up (over 40). I will also be starting classes this spring. I'll be doing the Damascus making and Gary (Wolf) Rua will be doing the forging. I have four workstations setups. I start a newbie making Cable Damascus into a knife. Fell free to call me before 8:00PM on my cell 508 951 2719:thumbup:
Checkout Justin's site for pix of the HI's.
http://www.tharkis.com/ig09spring.html
 
Nazt ill be running a demo forge at the Winslowshire renn fest in Norton mass thats June 26 and 27, feel free to stop by tell me its you and Ill be glad to give you a quick and dirty on forging and the rudiments of thermal cycling, heat treatment etc. I might also be guest instructing at prospect hill forge Waltham Mass this February.
 
metalbender2 said:
Nazt ill be running a demo forge at the Winslowshire renn fest in Norton mass thats June 26 and 27, feel free to stop by tell me its you and Ill be glad to give you a quick and dirty on forging and the rudiments of thermal cycling, heat treatment etc. I might also be guest instructing at prospect hill forge Waltham Mass this February.
Click to expand...

When are you going to do a demo at one of my HI's??????;):D
 
metalbender2 said:
Nazt ill be running a demo forge at the Winslowshire renn fest in Norton mass thats June 26 and 27, feel free to stop by tell me its you and Ill be glad to give you a quick and dirty on forging and the rudiments of thermal cycling, heat treatment etc. I might also be guest instructing at prospect hill forge Waltham Mass this February.
Click to expand...

Prospect hill forge? what's that about? Details if you got them.
Let me know about feb. I'd love to check that out.
Thanks for everything so far. I should have joined ages ago!
 
12345678910 said:
Step-by-Step Knifemaking- David Boye

is an excellent book. It shows a lot of different build styles and is a very good detailed approach.

This thread also has preview of several other good books.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=603203

I'm not sure what Harold H book you have, but the online documents that I have seen with his name were not reliable info
Click to expand...

That just saved me buying a few books! Although I'll probably buy them anyway.
 
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indian george said:
You can come down for a visit before a Hammer-In.I Usually have people over here ever Saturday when the weather warms up (over 40). I will also be starting classes this spring. I'll be doing the Damascus making and Gary (Wolf) Rua will be doing the forging. I have four workstations setups. I start a newbie making Cable Damascus into a knife. Fell free to call me before 8:00PM on my cell 508 951 2719:thumbup:
Checkout Justin's site for pix of the HI's.
http://www.tharkis.com/ig09spring.html
Click to expand...

When you have a schedule let me know. I'll try to make a few!
 
See what filling out your profile does.:D:D:D:D

Thanks guys for offering him a good start.:thumbup:

Stacy
 
just google prospect hill forge :)
my dates still firm for winslowshire but it looks like were moving the date to the prospect class to june...scheduling conflicts suck :/ just keep a hairy eyeball on their site.
hey george! sooner than you think bud *grins* just remember LOTS of cheeseburgers man, LOTS of cheeseburgers.......
 
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