So where do I start?

sierra11b

sierra11b

Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
622
I want to begin knife making. Maybe make tantos and other Japanese style blades down the road. I am completely ignorant to the subject and am having trouble taking the first step.

I want to educate myself with books and eventually make it to a bladesmith class here in Northern Ca. What books would you recommend? I know these books wouldn't be a replacement for an actual class (which I plan to take within the next year) but can you start knife making with the knowledge they give?

I don't know if I can even start seeing how I live in a residential neighborhood. It's and older neighborhood so the houses aren't completely crammed together like most housing developments in Ca. I have a decent little area in my back yard under a covered RV storage area. Is it acceptable to work in an residential area or should I be expecting a toilet paper covered house and a visit from the cops? How much area should I dedicate to working?

Tools are keeping me from getting started too. What tools do I need and where to get them? If there's a place to get them used and if I can make some of them (forge)? How much all of it will cost me?

Help me take that intimidating first step in the right direction. :)

-Eric
 
read all the posts you can. Order some 0-1 steel and send it off to heat treat or you can do it yourself. Making knives is the most satisfing thing I have ever done. You will love it forever!

http://www.knifenetwork.com/workshop/index.shtml

Here are some good reading too.

I learned more from the forums than anybook I have! Join the forum so you can search topics that you need to read about.
 
read everything you can.... then start working on stuff, then you can kind of answer some of your own questions, or atleast have some theory and some terminology to use when asking questions. where are you located? you might be able to find some local smiths to give you a hand
 
take pictures and post what your doing. These guys will push you in the right direction...ask me how I know ;)
Great place to learn!
 
Good to know. I'll keep all of this in mind.

So if you were to recommend ONE good book which would it be?

Also, Which types of tools should I be looking to get as a beginner and is it acceptable to make knives in a residential area?

Thanks in advance.

I'm in Sacramento. Hell, I'd love to come over to someones house over a weekend to see how it's done. I'll buy you lunch and some beer :D Maybe even some type of mini apprenticeship?
 
For a complete newbie - Wayne Godard's,"The $50 knife shop",Jim Hirsoulas',"The Complete Bladesmith",and David Boyes,"How to make knives".
Most people start out with stock removal,so the neighbors won't complain.Forging is a bit noisier,but kept to daylight hours,and limited time span,it will be tolerable.When you have made a few knives and are ready to forge invite the neighbors over to a BBQ and show them your setup.They will be over to get you pounding regularly.
 
Done. I bought:

Step-by-Step Knifemaking: You Can Do It! - David Boye

How to Make Knives - Richard W. Barney

Wayne Goddard's $50 Knife Shop - Wayne Goddard

Complete Bladesmith : Forging Your Way To Perfection - Jim Hrisoulas

And The Craft of the Japanese Sword - Leon Kapp for good measure ;)

Now to figure out where in the hell to set-up shop. Crap. :(
 
Bob Engnath, a huge asset to the industry passed away several years ago. He and wife Stevie had Blades and Stuff in Glendale CA. Bob had a great supply catalog and offered many preground heat treated blades. He answered many knife making questions over the phone. As his buisness grew he spent more and more time on the phone. He self defense he began a how-to section in his catalog. Before Bob passed away this information comprised half his publication, about 35 pages. I believe it is one of the most comprehensive over view of all types of fixed blade construction. Their is a very good section on on Yakiba blades, clay quenched traditional Japanese geometry blades. Bob made swords and Japanese pieces, was a very good scrimshander, and one of the best and prolific grinders. This 35 pages of great information is seasoned with Bob's dry wit. I would reccommend this as a must for every knifemaker. I think Bob also did some how-tos that are probably still on-line. I'm perttty sure you can google his name and get all this infomation on-line. If you can learn the information in this 35 pages you will be able with practice to built knives...Take Care...Ed
 
That's the one. When I started making I printed the whole dang thing and still refer to it. I've kept notebooks of articles and threads that I've read and printed along the way, and they have proven indispensible. The books you listed are a great way to start. I'd also recommend the DVDs, as watching what people do and how they move is very helpful. Good Luck! And have fun.
 
My best advice for the beginner is to not put the cart before the horse. Learn the basics first, and learn them well. The basics of knifemaking are as important to the craft of knifemaking, as learning The Alphabet is important to the English language. Without the basics, you can't effectively build upon anything and do it well. :cool:

In other words, study everything you can get your hands on. There is not one single method that is better than another... or even correct info! There is a lot of myth, lore, and legend in knifemaking. Stay informed, and the more you know, the better you will be able to handle any situation. Stick to the basics, and when you are comfortable with those, you'll discover that you will be craving to try new techniques and processes, and your skills will grow. ;)

Above all, ASK QUESTIONS. This board was spammed big time about a year or so ago from some punk down in North Carolina (yeah you, Bubba Goode!) :footinmou :p :) Well, it seems that feller has turned out to be one heck of a darn good knifemaker! Just ask. :D
 
jhiggins said:
This board was spammed big time about a year or so ago from some punk down in North Carolina (yeah you, Bubba Goode!) Well, it seems that feller has turned out to be one heck of a darn good knifemaker! Just ask. :D
Click to expand...

Ask questions? Me? I remember asking about 1 question every 3 days for about 6 months just to get where I am now. Still, like Higgins says. Learn how to walk before you run. I am still learning loads all the time. I recomend picking a steel and learning it first then you will have a better feel for what the difference between the steels are when you move on to other types of steel. But then again...all I have used is 0-1 and I couldnt be happier ;)
 
A year and a half or maybe 2 years back, I decided i was in a finicial situation to buy an anvil- so I did. I made a coal/charcoal forge from an old barbq grill and was given a hand crank blower. And i started. I had already read several books. BTW i recommend in addition to what you have, take a look at "Plain and Ornamental Forging" by Ernst Schwarzkopf (a general blacksmithing textbook, good for tools and techniques) and "Metallurgy Theory and Practice" by Dell K Allen (boils about 1000 years of theory down to a few days read, concentrate on chapters 6, 7, 9 and 10).

I work in about an 8' square of yard, so the weather must cooperate. I have done stuff besides knifes, but have made 5 or 6 servicable knives and destroyed probably twice that. Some by accident, others destructivly tested. Mostly i've used 1095.

The usenet group alt.crafts.blacksmithing also has a wealth of info and some very helpfull people. If your ISP doesn't have usenet groups, it can be accessed from groups.google.com.

Rember ask questions and be safe.

ron
ps if your interested my first completed knife can be seen at
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/Ronsfirst1.jpg
 
Thanks for everyones responses.

Are there are willing smiths in or around my area (sacramento) that would be willing to show me the ropes?

I'll make you dinner before hand if you let me watch :p
 
The knives annual has knifemakers state by state, supplies, schrimshanders, leather workers, engravers, commercial cutlers. It is a very good reference...Ed
 
If you can, find a local teacher. The guy helping me has been a great asset. Don't forget this forum. EVERYONE is great. :)
 
check out ABANA (a blacksmithing assn.) They have a website with links to local chapters. It's general blacksmithing not strictly bladesmithing.
 
jhiggins said:
My best advice for the beginner is to not put the cart before the horse.
Click to expand...
This is good advice, it was my biggest problem starting out :D Be patient, take your time!
 
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