Source for traditional patterns/info?

I

iandh

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Dec 8, 2010
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I'm PM'ed Blues regarding this a while ago, and he gave me some good suggestions, but I was hoping to collect some more if possible. I've done some forum searching as well as googling, and thought making a thread now might be useful after I've already done as much homework as I can.

I'm looking to get into traditional knifemaking, and was hoping for some literature suggestions. I read through the catalog scans thread above, and they have some great stuff in them. I'm basically searching for a pattern for my first project, and I'd like to try to tackle something unique. I'm a "dive into the shallow end with no helmet" kind of guy.

I was recommended Levine's 4th, but it seems to be close to impossible to get ahold of. There is a 5th edition, but I'm not sure if it would be completely suitable for my purposes. I did read that it lacked proper pricing info, but for my purposes that probably isn't an issue.

Thanks!
 
iandh said:
I'm PM'ed Blues regarding this a while ago, and he gave me some good suggestions, but I was hoping to collect some more if possible. I've done some forum searching as well as googling, and thought making a thread now might be useful after I've already done as much homework as I can.

I'm looking to get into traditional knifemaking, and was hoping for some literature suggestions. I read through the catalog scans thread above, and they have some great stuff in them. I'm basically searching for a pattern for my first project, and I'd like to try to tackle something unique. I'm a "dive into the shallow end with no helmet" kind of guy.

I was recommended Levine's 4th, but it seems to be close to impossible to get ahold of. There is a 5th edition, but I'm not sure if it would be completely suitable for my purposes. I did read that it lacked proper pricing info, but for my purposes that probably isn't an issue.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Iandh
Bernard Levine has the 4th edition for sale at times they also show up on the auction site once in a long while. Good luck with your knifemaking, I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Regards

Robin
 
I have the 5th and it shows lots of patterns. I think the inaccuracies concerned values, and at this point I suspect both editions are somewhat out of date.

I think there may also be an issue about whether Levine was treated fairly in connection with the editions after the 4th, but I didn't hear of that until after I bought the 5th.
 
If you are just looking for patterns, the 5th edition is fine. There were a lot of detail modification/omissions/etc. that Levine and others had issues with in the 5th edition...but for pictures on patterns ideas, etc., I think it would be fine for your purposes. If you are dead set on a 4th edition, I'll send you a pm. Or if you want some unique pattern ideas, maybe contact one of the many great knife makers who frequent this forum...they could probably give you both ideas and pointers
 
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And there are also catalog reprints available for purchase that show knives close to scale, but the main thing to me would be to handle as many knives as possible and buy some to take apart.
 
Mike is right on- if you've never made a slipjoint before get some to take apart. Being able
to handle them and take them apart will probably give you a feel for what you're up against.
If you're really into self abuse try a 5 or 6 bladed right off the bat.
Ken.
 
Thanks for the replies so far everyone.


kc custom said:
Mike is right on- if you've never made a slipjoint before get some to take apart. Being able
to handle them and take them apart will probably give you a feel for what you're up against.
If you're really into self abuse try a 5 or 6 bladed right off the bat.
Ken.
Click to expand...

One of the reasons I have a huge amount of respect for knifemakers is because I'm a machinist by trade (amongst other things). I've done a lot of custom tool grinding by hand, and have gotten a lot of compliments from other machinists, some that have been in the business longer than I've been alive. Even so, I'm not at all confident that I could replicate some of the blade grinding I've seen done. Some of it is just truly mind blowing.

I hope to be as good as some of these guys one day... I think I can be, but it's going to take a lot of sanding belts and burnt fingertips to get there.

If making a Stockman as your first knife is diving into the shallow end, then making a 6 blade as your first knife is diving into an empty pool. I'm into self abuse, not suicide. :D
 
The best thing to do imho is to upgrade your membership to knifemaker so that you can hang around the knifemaker's forums to discuss all the nuances of building knives from techniques to patterns etc. Discussing the books on traditional patterns is fine here but once we start morphing into the other arena it'll be time for this thread to be moved. (Fair warning. ;))
 
Blues said:
The best thing to do imho is to upgrade your membership to knifemaker so that you can hang around the knifemaker's forums to discuss all the nuances of building knives from techniques to patterns etc. Discussing the books on traditional patterns is fine here but once we start morphing into the other arena it'll be time for this thread to be moved. (Fair warning. ;))
Click to expand...

Understood. I had some spare cash in my paypal but it got converted into knives somehow (which can now be seen in the ebony thread :)). I've got a few auctions ending on ebay tonight so perhaps I'll go ahead and pull the trigger as you suggested.

Speaking of books, are there any books other than Levine's that are notable in the knife world?
 
As much as I use the Levine guide my go book for inspiration is the Sheffield Exhibition Knives book.
 
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