Re-profiling factory blades

[fishbulb]

I have been interested in knives for a while, and recently decided that I would like to try making them for my own use. The problem is that I am in a apartment that is not very fond of heavy industry going on in their buildings. Also, as a college student I do not have the financial resources to set up a typical shop. I've been thinking of solutions to this for a while, and decided that probably hte best way for somebody in my situation to learn the fundamentals would be just reshaping off the shelf knives.

I tried this once before with a carbon steel Ontario kitchen knife that I filed down to a more effective shape, and I was fairly pleased with the results. The steel is nothing "high end" but seems to work just fine. The only tools I have right now are a number of metal files and a Dremel kit. Since I won't be doing any really heavy grinding I don't think that the lack of tools will be a problem.

My only real concern is the heat treat on these blades, and how much I can do to them before I mess it up. Heat treats are still somewhat of a mystery to me, and I don't want to overheat the blade with the Dremel and ruin it. I plan on doing most of the shaping with the files, using the dremel for polishing and sanding. I would appreciate some help with this question, and other advice or suggestions on any aspect of this plan.

 

[peter nap]

It sounds like a good idea for apt dwellers. You should also consider 90-99% finished blades from the supply houses. Keep a bucket of water handy while working with the dremel and dunk often. Watch for a color change and keep it around straw color. You will be OK. To be honest, the heat treat won't make a tremendous difference except on the edge. IMHO.....anyway..good luck and have fun

 

[Peter Atwood]

You might have some problems though, because the steel that you're trying to work has been hardened. My experience has been that hardened steel is very hard to file, the file typically skates off the steel, and the Dremel bits will wear out fast. Why not get a kit knife from Koval or Texas Knife Supply. Try the Darrel Ralph 605 folder kit from Kovalknives.com.... You'll have fun and it's only about $30.