Startup shop equipment

LGOP said:
I definitely have the most emphasis on picking a good grinder first. I understand the resale value, and simply wouldn't want to have to upgrade later. I think perhaps a Wilmont Grinder? That's mostly why I started the thread was to get specific brand recommendations on grinders, band saw, drill press, belts.

I think my first steel to be worked with will be 1095. Somewhat on the cheaper end, but still a worthy steel. I plan to cerakote my blades so I have no real worries about rust.

For heat treat I plan to send my work off and let the pros handle at first.
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Sounds like a good plan
 
From what I have read, the TW-90 is the best out there. Look at Salems site. There are reviews of the different grinders. Different makers have different preferences, but I have never heard anyone complain about overspending on the TW-90. I have used a 1x30, Craftsman 2x42 converted to use 72" belts, but planned to make a2x72 for the better part of the year. I just didn't have the down time to do it. I bought the polar bear forge kit, and it is painted and awaiting assembly. It looks well made. The polar bear forge kit and KMG are the best bang for the buck and are fully functional. They won't hold you back.

If I may suggest, if you are sending out for heat treat, W2 and 52100 aren't that much more expensive than 1095, and have more curb appeal. Also buy belts in bulk. :thumbup: I have a local supplier of Norton belts, and like the Blaze for hogging. I use the structured abrasives after that. Rhynowet Redline is the sandpaper of choice for most, but the Norton Black Ice is good too. Its just more expensive. With shipping to Canada, the price difference is negligible for me as I can get the Black Ice locally. I think the Norton works better when getting above Rc 61/62, but I am not 100% sure on that yet. I need to observe more over the next few knives.
 
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I personally would not spend 8k if it is a substantial part of your savings.

If you are thinking about starting on fixed blades, you can do anything that you need to do with a three speed kmg (or similar quality) grinder and a cheap drill press. Many people get by with less grinder but I found that my learning curve and knife quality went waaay up after upgrading from a craftsman 2x42, I probably would have quit by now if I still had to use that thing. I would start there and see how it goes. After belts, hand tools, sand paper, handle material and steel you should be right around two grand.

If it goes well and people want to buy your product for a price that allows you to keep doing it, add more tools as you go.

One thing that I dont think new makers understand is that if you have the skills, ability and determination to have knife making become a "successful venture" you probably have the skills, ability and determination to make something much more financially viable and lucrative successful. Then you can make knives without all the stress and deadlines in your spare time.
 
I can certainly recommend a Wilmont grinder. Its a great machine and I wouldn't trade it. Depending on where you are in NC you are welcome to check mine out. Of course if you are close enough to come to me you would be better off just emailing Chris and trying to go check them out at the source. That's what I did before I bought mine. Chris is a super nice guy and answered all the questions I had. I had a Burrking before this and while it was a great machine I greatly prefer the Wilmont. I also like buying from other veterans if I have the choice, that's just my thing though.
 
Hey - I'm out of my league in this thread, I know. But I am retired military like you and just started this hobby. I've made three knives which turned out OK I guess for a total beginner. My suggestion has to do with heat treating and your budget. My steel is 1084 and in an old barn I found a really small old one burner wood cookstove and with a bag of charcoal, my shop vac with the hose reversed so it blew instead of sucking, some canola oil, and my wife's kitchen oven I had all the stuff I needed. Cost about $10. It worked great, my steel is hard. (I can't measure the hardness or anything but it's for sure hard. (I tried to drill a hole in one of the handles with a new bit in a good drill press and all I got was smoke.)).

So that's my two cents on a way to heat treat for pretty much no cost.

You probably won't have a little wood cook stove around but I think you could improvise the same thing with a fire pit, hibachi, or an old brake drum - voila - instant forge.

Have fun!!
 
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