ok here we go(newbie help please)

N

neckringer

Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
13
I am here cause i want to make a knife or 100
nut in fancy just hunting/camp knife.
I have been reading a lot on heating process and what not.

my questions.
what can I make a knife out of that I can find layin around that aint to hard to get it down to size??? old file? old lawn mower blade???
also the pins in a knife handle. where can I order these or what can I make them out of. I heard i can just use brazin rod. Is this so?
how do you instal/ hammer them in and finish along with your wood or bone/ handle material.???

I would kind of like to do this will all stuff layin around to give it a real home made feel and a story.

If anyone would can post pics of knives they have made like this I would really appreciate it and use them
also any info or tips that could help me will be more than welcomed and appreciated.
thanks
Dave
 
ya I have been searching around a little.
I guess grind but I could heat treat if need be.
have drill press,
band saw (hand held
wheel grinder.
and other usual small shop tools.
also have torch, welder, blah blah no lathe or anything big
probably nothing I will need:D



just need to really know
what types of things can I use for steel
and what things to use for holding handle on. what ever those pins in the handes are called.

I have found this small article.
would not mind doing somthing like this.
http://www.hossom.com/tutorial/jonesy/
 
If you dont have any type of forge
and if you dont have any type of torch.

Then I think your best bet is to get a few knife kits, (Like the ones sold at texas Knifemakers Supply) , and build a few that way.

This would show you how a knife is made.
And you could see what direction you want to go in next.
 
Get a book on making knives. For you I would suggest, "The $50 Knife Shop", by Wayne Goddard.You need a lot more info before you get started.
Stacy

PS. Welcome to the Forums
 
bladsmth said:
You need a lot more info before you get started.
Stacy

PS. Welcome to the Forums
Click to expand...


Ya know, Stacy... you're such a stick in the mud! Whatever happened to the "Let's Fire This Sucker Up!" attitude? You can always find out what went wrong after things have blown up, you know...;) :D


I agree with Stacy, btw... Goddard's book is a must-have, but I also think "How to Make Knives" by Barney and Loveless is a must-have... in fact, I refer to that book at least once a month, and I always catch something I missed, or something that just makes sense now, after I've gotten a bit more experience!

Good luck! This is a fun and rewarding, but also very frustrating hobby!
 
Neckwringer, you could try to find a maker in your area to help with advice and heat-treat, nothing beats advice of the experienced.
 
Do a search for the Po-Boy Puukko. Sarge does a tutorial on making a knife from an old file. I've done several, and they are fun for beginners. You only need a grinder too!
 
cant I heat treat in coal or wood fire and dip in motor oil?

then after complete put in oven at 400 and slowly take it down over 6 hours?

I do have a torch !!!!!
 
neckringer said:
cant I heat treat in coal or wood fire and dip in motor oil?

then after complete put in oven at 400 and slowly take it down over 6 hours?

I do have a torch !!!!!
Click to expand...
You are old enough to do this right?

The next level up in knife making is the introduction of fire into the story.
Our human history and of making knives is and has always been , connected to the use of fire.

IF.....if you are able to use some type of forge, (gas, wood, coal) as well as a O/A torch, then you are all set to begin some REAL FUN!....Because (Nothing against the stock removal guys) but playing with fire is a lot more fun then sending your blades off to someone else to heat-treat.
 
neckringer said:
cant I heat treat in coal or wood fire and dip in motor oil?

then after complete put in oven at 400 and slowly take it down over 6 hours?

I do have a torch !!!!!
Click to expand...

A coal or wood fire fed by an air source is the most basic forge. Yes forges can be used to heat treat. A fire without an air source likely won't get hot enough to heat treat.

There is no need to slowly take the temperature down slowly when tempering. And the temperature to temper to depends on the steel and what you want from the blade.

So far your questiong are all very basic. I don't mean to be discouraging but a decent knife making book or some more time searching will answer most of the basic questions.

ron
 
yes they are very basic. I am about 7 hours into just starting to study.
Heck I barley know the different parts of a knife.
I just purchased a few recomened books.
also visited with a guy local this evening taht orders blades and makes his own handles out of hard to find material and rare stuff. He was very excited in helping me. So If I can figure out the rest of the blade stuff. I have a go to guy for handle help.
Im really just looking to build a very basic hunting/skinning knife that I can make out of something i have. Whether it be a 80 year old file my grandfather had or anything I can get my hands on.
for beginners it will be I made this knive from such and such.
That will about do it for my first one.
Also thinking about ordering a kit or 2 to get busy with some handle work.
 
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