newbie question

B

Broken Blade

Joined
Mar 25, 2002
Messages
7
I have been "lurking" here for a while thought I would finally sign on and post. I just finished my first knife, actually my 2nd hence the name. I made it from a file using a Oxy/acetelyne torch, a hand held beltsander clamped upside down to my bench, and a bench grinder. It came out alright for a first attempt. It has a 4.5" bowie type blade with a 4.25" bloodwood handle. It isn't beautiful to anyone but me, but you can't tell it was a file either.

On to my question. I give up on files for now. What would be the best beginner steel using these primative tools? I will more than likely upgrade to a tabletop vertical belt sander before I start. Any and all advice is more than welcome.
 
Welcome to the forums! Nice to see someone from Truman's hometown. I'm just across the border in Kansas. Hey I use 01 and heat treat my own. It's a most forgiving steel. Let me know if I can help you with anything, you're about 20 minutes away--Dan
 
Thanks guys. Tangus, where is a good source of steel around here? It's nice to know someone is around here who builds knives. I know a couple people who assemble knives from ready made blades.
 
I was born in Sedan Kansas. Flat country. My vote is also for the O-1. Nice and easy to work, comes in several sizes and can be zone heat-treated with your torch. Holds a very respectable edge.
 
Bruce, being the newbie that I am, what is zone heat treating? I am not yet up on all the lingo that goes along with this hobby. Well for me it's a hobby.:D
 
BB, I would also have to say 01. If you don't want to start buying from knifemaker supply houses, at this stage of the game, you can always find it in usable lenghts, from machine shop supply stores. Most cities have them. It usually comes precision ground also.
Welcome to the forums.
 
Broken Blade,

send me an email and I'll respond with telephone number and you and I can talk about your current needs. You can come over if you like to get a look at some equipment before you leap out to buy.--Dan
 
Jerry Kennedy lives in Independence too. OP is my old stomping ground, I lived behind Glenwood theater and saw Clint Eastwood there. Dan, you ought to host a bunch of knifemakers!

Dave
 
Oh, zone treating is simply heating the edge and quenching in oil, You already have the torch so its will be easy to do yourself. Another advantage is that most O-1 has the tempering instructions on the wrapper.

Yes, welcome to the forums!
 
I also sgree with the 0-1 as it is easily found at the supply houses,and easy to HT yourself..
Good luck,Lets see the pictures of the first one:) no one here will laugh,we all started somewhere..
Bruce
 
I would like to put up pictures of it but i don't have the equipment to do so.

Tangus has very graciously volunteered his shop and his skills to "show me the ropes" so to speak. So I guess in a couple weeks we will find out if I want to pursue knifemaking. If it turns out well I will FIND a way to post pictures.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top