One at a time, or a few?

BryanNomad

BryanNomad

Joined
Mar 25, 2013
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Knifemakers - Do you work on one blade at a time, or rotate through a few different blades in every shop session?
 
I work on several at a time. If i'm working on a particular task, like profiling or grinding, it's more efficient to do several in a row. I also have my HT done in batches, so I try to do at least 10-20 at once.

- Chris
 
It depends on the project. If you're building several of the same pattern, it's much more efficient to do them in a small batch. If you're building a one-of-a-kind, it might not work out to build more of a different design at the same time.
 
I just finished 26 neck knives and it took me 2.5 months from start to finish. There is a lot of benefit to doing them in batches, especially in grinding. When grinding that many you get into a rhythm and my grinds usually turn out better. Of course by the end of the batch, you've got to make sure you give each knife its individual attention to make sure it is perfect.

For one of a kind knives, I try to make them one at a time.
 
thanks guys, I'm doing my first "batch" of blades and it makes me feel like I'm getting a lot more accomplished.
 
I only make 15 or so per year................So, each one is done on its own...............That why I still enjoy the process after 20 years....I did 6 at one time for a wedding party, and never again..................Not as much fun..........I am working on one now for the fall deer season and it won't be for sale.....I hope to mount it with a buck rack......I wish................carl
 
I hardly ever do fewer than 4-6 at a time, and have been doing bigger batches of 10-12 for the past three batches. I profile them all, then drill holes, then grind bevels, then heat treat, all as a batch. I then hand sand and do handles one at a time. I also don't build sheaths until I can build 3 to 5 at once. I average about one completed knife per week, whether the batch is 5 or 15.
 
2 because that works good for kiln heat treat, quench plates and dry ice at the same time.
James
 
I like to hammer out 6-8 blades of the same steel then grind them and of those usually 5-6 will be make into knives so I heat treat and temper them all. Then I will usually just pick one and finish it out from there.
 
I´m working on several different knives in different stages of completion.
I spread shipping cost to the HT-firm by sending several at once.
Sometimes I am in the mood for handle work and do that, other times I am more in the mood for hand finishing and do that. That´s why I like having them at different stages.
 
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