thinking of making a knife-1st attempt

R

ryk

Joined
Jun 27, 1999
Messages
180
Hello
I am currently toying with the idea of trying to make a knife, ive never made one before, and im currently reading a few things like the Blades n Stuff catalog.
I guess im just looking for advice, this will be a first time for me, I have a dremel tool but not much else, and im willing to buy hand tools, but i want to avoid powertools(i move around too much to lug one with me everywhere)
I was just thinking of buying barstock, using a hacksaw or dremel w/cutoff wheels to cut it to shape, and shape it with files?
any advice on what steel to use for a first timer? or basic blade design-i was thinking of a simple fixed blade, maybe drop point? with slab handles?
I would greatly appreciate any advice or hints/tips by anyone, I have a lot of respect for you guys
thanx in advance
 
Hello,

A couple of things I would recommend.

First, skim through this forum for posts titled "Beginning Knifemakers FAQ #x" Some of these will be helpful in getting you started.

Second, I would check out a couple of books, "How to Make Knives" by Loveless and Barney and something like "Step-by-Step Knifemaking -- You can Do it" by Boye.

The Loveless and Barney book has a good section on using hand tools and the Boye book is very good.

These should get you started.
Spencer
 
Spencer Stewart>
thanx, ill definitely check those books out when i get a chance, and ive been reading posts in here for a little while.
I was mostly curius about methods of stock-removal type making without much power equipment.
but thanks for the book reccomendations, ill see about ordering them in the near future.
 
I think it is great that you are going to give it a try with a minimum of tools. Keeping things simple is a good idea, and a plethora of tools doth not a knife (or knife maker) make.

Perhaps the very first knife might start with a blade that is already well started, that is with a blade from Jantz, or K&G or others. It might not be the dream knife you have in mind, but it would be a good start in that direction and a lot less frustrating.



------------------
Regards,
Desert Rat

 
first, if you want to make your first knife try using 1050 or 1095, you can get them pretty cheapabout $20 for 6'. use hickory for the handle, it's a good choice for a first knife, becuase it's very inexpensive and works easy. for your guard use brass. and use squeeze type rivets, i think they call them cutler's rivets.
 
I built my first knife with hand tools only by following Loveless and Barney's book. I loved every minute of it. Very rewarding and I have never done a kit knife before. Although some recommend it, so it must be a good idea. I'm kind of stubborn that way, I want to do things the hard way!

Spencer

You can see my first knife here
 
Spencer Stewart>
nice knife, especially if its your first, real nice looking.
Ill be happy if my first attempt even remotely looks like a knife and is able to cut more then two sheets of paper before resharpening
smile.gif

I just ordered the two books you recommended from amazon(through the bladeforums links) and ill read them when they arrive, in addition to this forum and what i find on-line and such

magnum .44>
thanx for the recommendations, i will definetly consider those materials once i get around to gathering supplies

Desert Rat>
thanx, im considering a knife kit, but i think i want to try actually filing out a blade and all. if i get really sick of it, i figure i could fall back on a kit.

thanx for everybodies help and input, ill probabally post a few more questions once i finish reading.
 
The most important thing that I wish I knew when I started my first stock removal knife with files is to anneal the steel before even cutting it. Throw it in the oven at 450 or so for a few hours, then let it air cool. It will work MUCH easier that way. I wore out two hacksaw blades and a file before I was told that.
 
Unless it's an air hardening steel you might have even better luck heating it up to nonmagnetic and letting it cool as slowly as you can (not at all hard out here in the summer -- just put it out in the sun -- it's well above 110 degrees most of the day).



------------------
Regards,
Desert Rat

 
also, it's good to get a table top belt sander, and some 36grt zirconia belts, or ceramics for stock removal, it's work a thousand times faster than a file, and you can fallow up after the heat treat with grts 40- 600 for a satin finish, it will cost about $150, it will improve the knives you make too, if you've already made one with a file, make one how i suggested and compare.
 
Regarding annealing. If you order your steel brand new, in most cases it should already be annealed. I order my O1 and it comes annealed.

Spencer
 
thanx for the tips, i appreciate them.
im still awaiting my books, once i get them ill probabally have a better idea of what im going to do.
as far as the belt sander, i want to wait on that one, i move around too much to invest in heavy bulky expensive things(small compact expensive are ok, cause they are relatively easy to take with my, and heavy bulky cheap are ok, cause i can leave them behind/give them away) and i want to see if i can do one half decently before i get much invested in it. if i am satisfied with my results, i will definitely consider getting a grinder/sander when i finally get a semi-permanent dwelling
smile.gif


I am a little worried about heat treating though, but ill see what the books have to say. have many of you sent your blades off to heat-treaters? if so, how expensive/reliable is it? is it worth it?
thanx again, i really appreciate the help
 
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