tools, and advice for someone just starting out

kile

kile

Joined
Mar 19, 1999
Messages
620
I have been hooked on knives since I was about 10 years old, and Since I found bladeforums over a year ago, I have been toying with the idea of making knives myself, I have a few books on the subject, but I figured the people here would give me the best advice. What tools do I really need, I realize I could make a knife with just a file, but that would take forever. I just want a basic simple set up so that I can make decent fixed blades. What do I need? Thanks for any help.
Kyle
 
Hi Kyle,
As you can tell we are not to experienced in this area (and speaking for myself I should be).

There is a Shop-Talk forum on the general page and I am going to move your post over there.

Shop Talk Forum

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" The real art of living is too keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post.
In memory of James Mattis
 
Hi Kyle

A couple years back, I bought the Loveless / Barney book and made my first few knives using hacksaw, files, a drill and mountains of sandpaper. It worked. Many, many hours of work but it worked. My next step was to a 1x30 grinder. It didn't really work. Oh it removed metal faster than a file but not much faster and I kept having to clean up damage with - you guessed it - a file. My next step was Sears 2x42 grinder. I'm still using it, though my new 2x72 is on the way. The 2x42 does a good job at a good price. By the way, it goes on sale pretty regularly so think twice before you pay full price for it.

From my replay so far you can surmise that the knife shop centers around the belt sander / grinder. You need a drill press. A buffer is nice and easy to make out of a cheap, used bench grinder. A band saw is nice. (both metal and woodcutting) Oh yes - a vice is mandatory.

You may want to try a kit first to see if you enjoy the craft.

One hint. Start with a piece of known steel that is suitable for knifemaking. I've known a few people to start with a chunk of mild steel and turn out a 100 hour knife that is really unuseable.

Hope this helps some. If you search this archive you'll find lots more.

Rob!



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Rob Ridley
Ranger Original Handcrafted Knives
 
First, what kind of knife do you want to make?
What kind of steel? Stainless or Carbon?
Forged or Stock removal?
Folders or straight knives?
These answers will help define your goal.


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Sola Fide
 
Just don't start with metal that is expensive and your going to have to order. I just bought some flat stock for my local Menards and its working out great for me its cheap it comes in different sizes. I think you might be able to get a 3 foot by 1.5 inches wide by 1/4 inch thick for about $5.00 its not the best knife making metal but it will get you started and you don't have to be pissed if you mess up on the blade as so look at WWW.Jantz.com they have a lot of Stuff. Also look in to the Greaseless past compound that they have its a lot like a belt sander but if goes on your bench grinder (This is how I started out.) It also comes in a kit with everything you need the item number is WK634 take a look. Also you can buy a Bench grinder on Ebay I got a new one for about $35.00. If you like knife making just keep it up and you'll have fun doing it.

 
I have made 4 knives now and I have 3 others in various stages of construction. Here's what I can confirm:

1) Start with a kit knife. You still have to grind/file the blade but at least it is cut out for you and you should have instructions and all the pieces you need

2) As important as a grinder sounds, GET A DRILL PRESS FIRST!!!!!!!! Trust me. Read my past posts and you'll see how frustrated I was!! You can't drill straight holes with a hand drill and you NEED to drill straight holes, so a drill press is necessary.

3) The 2x42 grinder from Sears does go on sale regularly and I love mine. It has a disc and a belt which are both great. Just make sure you are able to get belts for em.

4) Do not be afraid of modifying your equipment! On the Sears grinder I ground off some metal on the table for the disc grinder so that I could glue a rubberized cork sheet to the disc. With that done all I have to do is glue a sheet of sanding paper to the cork with adhesive designed for gluing sand paper to things and cut off the excess with my utility knife (one of them gient razor blades) When the paper doesn't sand well anymore a quick zap with a propane torch heats the glue up enough so that I can peel the old paper off and stick on a new sheet!

5)Don't worry how long it takes you and how many mistakes you make. Each knife I have made I have made a whole different set of mistakes! I learn from my old ones and make new ones to learn from. My first knife took me 2 years of off and on work to finish. My next one will be 3 months work. I'm getting faster at my own pace (it is a hobby after all)

6)Share your info and insights with us please!!!!!

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"Come What May..."
 
thanks for the help so far, Let me see if I got everything. I should get a drillpress, a belt grinder, a vise, lots of files, and a buffer if possible. I have a drill press, vise, files, and I have a buffer attachment for my hand drill, and for my dremel. Will those be good enough? I have a bench grinder, that I could convert also. I just want to make simple fixed blades, by stock removal. What else do I need? also everybody is saying I should start with a kit, where should I get a kit from? I ordered a kit from Rob Simonich over a year ago, he told me he would put me on his list, and when he started making kits again he would let me know, where else can I get a kit?
Kyle
 
Hey Kile. Sorry for moving the thread, but I knew the folks over here would have better information. Left the thread open in Custom just in case.

Try Texas Knifemaker's Supply texasknife.com

and Koval Knives kovalknives.com

One or both should have kits.

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" The real art of living is too keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post.
In memory of James Mattis
 
Kile,
A bunch of fellow knifemakers provided a bunch of information and we came up with a suppliers list. If you would like it, shoot me an email.

It sounds like you have quite a bit of the right tools to start with. If you do have a bench grinder, I would seriously think about placing a buffing wheel on it before I would on a hand drill. As everyone else can attest to, the buffer is the most DANGEROUS piece of equipment in the shop, bar none.

So, a drill press is a VERY good thing to have, a grinder of sorts, and a buffer is actually optional. I use my buffer less and less these days but when I first started, it was a different story.

I gained my interest doing kit blades at first until I built up the courage to grind a blade. That was only 6 or 7 years ago. As mentioned before, it is a good jumping off point.

The only advice that I can offer you is once you start, keep at it. Don't get discouraged when the grind just doesn't come out right, or its not exactly centered, we all go through that. Enjoy.

If you have any questions, post them or send an email. Knifemakers are genuinely good folks.

C Wilkins
 
While I would agree that good quality tools make things easier, I think that good tool operators are much more important. The craftsman makes the knife not the tool.
My point--- try to make a few knives with what you have, even if money is not an issue. From there you will learn what tools really do make a difference. Then buy good tools to perform that job.

John

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http://www.toptexknives.com/yeackley.htm My contribution to the world of knife fanatics.

"Evolution of a Maker"
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=216199
 
I just finished a kit and I had a blast with it. Here is the list of what I bought....

Vise (INDESPENSABLE) $15
Clamps to mount vise to table $20
Clamps to hold tang to wood $5
Files (set of 3 from Sears) $10
Hobby Rasp (Sears INDESPENSABLE) $8
Sandpaper (various grits) $10
Wax Paper $2

Knife Kit with Epoxy and handle $27

Thats it really....and the total ..... $97

Most of that cost will be used over and over if you do it right and get good quality tools to begin with. If you have a table that you can mount to you wont have to get clamps to mount it to. The table I am working on is not mine so I have to do this.

Michael


 
Michael,
where did you get your kit? Are you happy with your finished product? How does it work?
 
I would agree with John Yeackley, try making some knives with files and sand paper, and don't be afraid of ordering some steel. O1 and 1095 isn't that expensive and you will be able to heat treat small blades yourself.
Get the Loveless-Barney book "How to Make Knives", Barney has an excellent chapter on making knives by hand. I actually enjoy using files but some people viciously hate it. Experiment for yourself and enjoy the learning process! -Guy Thomas
 
If you want a kit blade, any of the knifemaking supply houses have them.

Downie Knives downieknives.downie.com
10076 Estate Dr.
Port Franks, Ontario, Canada N0M2L0
Tel: 519.243.2290

Jantz Supply http://www.jantzsupply.com/
P.O. Box 584 email: jantz@brightok.net
309 West Main
Davis, OK 73030
Order Line: 800-351-8900
Phone: 580-369-2316

K & G Supply http://www.knifeandgun.com/
P.O. Box 458 Mail Stop I. email: sales@knifeandgun.com
Lakeside Arizona 85929-0458 email: info@knifeandgun.com
Information (520) 537-8877
Fax: 520-537-8066
Order Line: 800-972-1192

Sheffield Knifemakers Supply Inc
PO Box 741107
Orange City, FL 32774-1107
cust serv 1-904-775-6453
fax 1-904-774-5754

Texas Knifemaker's Supply http://www.texasknife.com
10649 Haddington #180 email: jimll@hal-pc.org
Houston, TX 77043
Phone: 713/461-8632
Toll Free: 888-461-8632
Fax: 713/461-8221

Tru-Grit http://www.trugrit.com/
760 E. Francis St. N email: Trugrit1@aol.com
Ontario, CA 91761
Sales & Technical Support: 909-923-4116
Outside of California (orders only: 800-532-3336)
Information - Trugrit1@aol.com

Koval http://www.kmg.org/kovalknives/index.html
5819 Zarley Street Suite A
P.O. Box 492
New Albany, Ohio 43054 USA
Ph. (800) 556-4837
In Ohio (614)855-0777
Fax (614) 855-0945

Pop Knives and Supplies
James Poplin
103 Oak St.
Washington GA 30673
Tel: 706-678-5408

Universal Agencies Inc. http://www.uai.org ~or~ http://www.knifesupplies.com
4690 South Old Peachtree Rd. Suite C email: info@uai.org
Norcross, GA 30071-1517
Tel: 678.969.9147
Fax: 678.969.9169
Order Tel. 1.800.864.7824

 
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