Shade Tree Mechanic

R

Rangerxanatos

Joined
Jul 17, 2006
Messages
33
Sorry if this has been posted before.

While surfing the net, I came across this site: http://www.primitiveways.com/pt-knives-1.html Is this actually a decent way to make a knife? Keep in mind I'm a poor college student with limited tools, so this is why I bring the site up. If it works like it says with these smaller knives, will it also work with longer and thicker knives of the same steel? I don't expect it to be all that pretty or anything, I just want something to get my feet wet and explore a little bit.

Thanks for any and all help!
Daniel
 
Last edited:
Heyyyy:D, that's the site I got started with. It sort of leaves some things unsaid and I seem to recall most of the knives he showed had very short/steep bevels. A *great* book for someone who has a small budget is the "$50 Knife Shop" by Wayne Goddard.

http://forgegallery.elliscustomknifeworks.com/ here you'll find a link to a one-brick forge (Actually, shown is the 1.5 brick forge, which I didn't like as much as my plain 1 brick).
It's made from carving out a soft firebrick and powered by a JTH7 berzomatic torch. I've heat treated knives with up to 6" blade length (but really, again, that's pushing it). The brick you can buy from Ellis custom knife works (Great guy/site for forge supplies!)
It should hold you until you can afford a venturi or blown forge.
Another option is to send out blades for heat treating until you get some more money. I think the torch and brick will set you back 50 all said and done.
I'd recommend a high tension hacksaw with good bi-metal blades for profiling, and some half-round and flat files (Nicholson brand). You'll need a good bench vise and should look for a good used drill press.
The sticky at the top of the forum has great info too. I was asking that same question 2 years ago, so what do I know :D

Oh hey, you're in Northeast Ga, what part? If there's no one closer offering, I could help you if you need to be shown anything.
 
Thanks for the info. I would want to try to heat treat them myself, just so I could say that I did everything myself. Also, why the half round and flat file? Is it just to take off different amounts of metal by different pressures? I think I can get a hold of a bench vise and drill press. Either ours or a friends... But if it comes to it, I wouldn't mind doing it in my hand (read safely in hand). I'm not really caring about the looks of it yet, just something to play with to see if I would like to make a hobby out of it.

I'm in Elberton, GA. It's about 3.5 - 4 hours from Columbus...

Once again, Thanks.
Daniel
 
You might want to edit your post to removed one set of http:// to make the link work.

Should read http://www.primitiveways.com/pt-knives-1.html

I skimmed the article and it appears correct to me. He appears to know his stuff and that is a good way to make a first knife. A 62 HRC 1095 blade is a pleasure to use. Good stuff, you'll never use walmart 440a junk again.
 
Well, I use a half-round file to do what the hacksaw won't on the profile, usually on the inside of the curve of the handle, or an index finger groove or something. Then I use the biggest flat mill file that home depot/lowes has and draw file with it for the bevels. As far as pressure, you let the file do the cutting, don't press down too hard.

I just remembered that the guy was making a hidden tang on the site, so no full tang handle-fanciness to cut:o , but if you get interested in knife making (it's addictive) and have to pursue it on a budget, you'll make friends with all the different files :D
here's nicholson's guide to filing.
http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/nicholson_files/Nicholson Guide To Filing 2006.pdf
 
Dick Baugh invented the Bowscraper! I have all three volumes of The Traditional Bowyer's Bible and he's mentioned in them several times. That's neat to see the crossover. And, no, I don't really make bows. It's too hard to be patient waiting for the wood to season. But they're fascinating reading nevertheless. Highly recommended.
 
Wow. That was very informative. I'm going to use both tutorials as well to help me learn how to make a knife. Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top