Two Cheezeburgerz and a large SNARK

Status
Not open for further replies.
Always shop for old American vises, Wilton for example, but there are lots of other old brands that will take anything you can dish out. The chinese jobbies just don't get it. Back east, old vises are more plentiful.
 
I'll chime in on the grinder.

One year ago, the fanciest knife I had ever seen was a Buck 110. I had no idea of the world that was out there. When I came across Beckers, I also came a cross the desire for a leather sheath and that lead here and to Youtube to figure out how to make one. It wasn't too long before I found out you could make knives at home. Who knew???? My budget matched my mechanical skills and my certainty that I was going to be capable of doing anything with it or like it, so the HF with coupon was about the right price for that equation. Maybe even a little too expensive.

Since then, I've made three knives, each progressively better, none anywhere near what would be called good because my mechanical skills still need a lot of work. But I've learned a lot. I'd like to get the Sears 2x42 for what I hear about it's improved usefulness, but I haven't put the money together for it yet.

Would I have loved to start with a better grinder? Yes. But, I wouldn't have spent that kind of money on something that could easily have become just another thing in my garage. I have no doubt that it's not the best tool, but I'm glad I bought it because I'd have missed out on learning and developing skills and having a heck of a hobby.

YMMV.
 
Tankerwolf said:
Dude. Just get the 1x30. It's not that bad. Will it last..... no. Will it give you a good idea of whether or not you like grinding steel.... yes
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that trying to make a knife on a 1x30 will teach you that you do NOT like grinding steel.

Vises: yes. you need one. Look in a flea market. Should be good pickings in Philly. I have a Cha's Parker that I dote on.
 
Knowing me id try and grind out a 3 foot long KNIFE with a 3" wide blade on the first try and break the darn grinder LMAO!!!
 
Im looking at vises and such on a site that rhymes with Craig's fist.. Will also check out a flea market next time we go by one.
 
Last edited:
WW & 710 - WOW!!! I mean it. That is the awesomest looking kydex ever! Congrats man!

Grinders, hmmmm, I know nothing. I can say that a crappy tool can lead to bad habits that have to be broken when you step up to a good / better one. I used a friend's crappy belt grinder this weekend and will not ever do that again. I can see myself adjusting to the limitations and quirks of that machine and having to unlearn a lot of it. I'm a strong believer in learning by doing and of course muscle memory is a PITA to undo when you finally get the right tool.
 
I tried my first black and tan tonight. Can't say I'm too impressed with it.


zuluninja said:
WW, I guess the best you can do is get a cheap HF belt sander and have fun with it, it's not until you try it that you start to learn.

On another note, the comment I made about not buying HI khuks because they get blessed to their god seems to have irked a mod, who sent me a pm explaining the concept and saying that if I were to base my purchases on religious beliefs, then I should stay with my Beckers and then added that Uncle E is a Christian and probably blesses the knife, employees etc (sarcastic tone? dunno, not gonna ask). I thanked him because I'm a Christian too :D
Click to expand...

What JT said. This is starting to get a little ridiculous.
 
Opinions and politics and religions and philosophies are like belly-buttons. That's all good until some nitwit gets uptight about "theirs" being "better" than "yours". Zero patience for that kinda baloney-sausage from me.

Facts are facts.

As for grinders... it ain't the machine that "makes" *anything*, it's the machine operator who gets it done. Quitcher bitchin' and get to work... make some mistakes. Steel is cheap ;)
 
Looks like a good time Jonny. Too many people for me personally but still looks fun.

bigghoss said:
Get it on video.
Click to expand...

LOL, that can be done!!

james terrio said:
As for grinders... it ain't the machine that "makes" *anything*, it's the machine operator who gets it done. Quitcher bitchin' and get to work... make some mistakes. Steel is cheap ;)
Click to expand...

I like your attitude on the subject!! :D

crimsonfalcon07 said:
I've done a blade that size on a 1x30. It was harder on me than it was on the grinder.
Click to expand...

Yea.... I keep weighing the pros and cons of the 1x30.. The pro being i could get one soon and do some playing... The cons being it aint the best tool for the job...

But hell even a decent vise seems to cost more than that grinder...I seen some used ones tonight around 60 bucks... SO i could spend more and still have to use files by hand.
 
I'm absolutely convinced that the first project any beginning knifemaker should tackle is a 3-4" blade with a full tang and a simple drop-point profile. Such knives are reasonably straightforward to make, and they're extremely useful.

Come to think of it, we oughtta have a Grind-In sometime and talk some vendors and sponsors into providing the requisite materials and tools... at a place where the host welcomes all kinds of folks... we could encourage everyone who wants to give it a shot to go ahead and give it a try... maybe enlist a couple respected makers like Hunt and Tagget to instruct folks and help 'em through every step... maybe we could even get some rascals to help with HT and sharpening... dang, I bet that would be a hoot...

:D
 
That would be awesome James!!

If i start walking now i can be in Knoxville in about 10 days :D
 
worldwood said:
If i start walking now i can be in Knoxville in about 10 days :D
Click to expand...

Cool, bring beer or bourbon or smoke or sandwiches or all of the above. I got knife-makin' stuff and a spare bedroom. Hope you like goofy dogs and moody cats...

Whatever the heck you do, please do NOT ask me about "magic". There's no magic to it. ;)
 
james terrio said:
Cool, bring beer or bourbon or smoke or sandwiches or all of the above. I got knife-makin' stuff and a spare bedroom. Hope you like goofy dogs and moody cats...

Whatever the heck you do, please do NOT ask me about "magic". There's no magic to it. ;)
Click to expand...

Knife-making stuff AND a spare bedroom.... Away from kids....Yea..... It might take magic to get rid of me :D



Me and the wife was talking with a lady she works with and she was saying she wanted kids.... and i made the comment kids are a**holes... She says well thats not very nice to say as a father... I said any parent in the world that hasnt thought at one point or another their kids were a**holes just hasnt been around them long enough ;)
 
Just finished watching a movie on youtube called "10 years Later"

Should of been called a bunch of idiots.
 
daizee said:
I'm pretty sure that trying to make a knife on a 1x30 will teach you that you do NOT like grinding steel.

Vises: yes. you need one. Look in a flea market. Should be good pickings in Philly. I have a Cha's Parker that I dote on.
Click to expand...

YES YES YES, to daizee's point, I promise you will not like grinding on said grinder lol, definitely need a vise. one more tool that would be nice. A drill press. The good thing about that, is that is one piece of equipment you can go cheap on. A small bench top one from HF will last a long time if your just drilling holes with it and not doing dumb stuff with it. I had one I gave away a few years ago that was 10 years old and I bought it for $40. bucks. Still worked great.

So, if you wanna try knife making. (And I say try, because your not going to be able to make a living with that stuff) your gonna need a grinder of some sort, or do it by hand with files and sandpaper. a vise definately, something to cut the metal with, and something to drill holes with. Theres no reason one who shops around couldn't find all of the above to get started for around $300. bucks. Granted, if you do get into it you will still upgrade tools as you can afford and your skill progresses. That never stops. For example, the grinder im getting ready to buy is a shade under 3 grand. So quite your bitchin about spending $150. bucks for one. :D

worldwood said:
Knife-making stuff AND a spare bedroom.... Away from kids....Yea..... It might take magic to get rid of me :D



Me and the wife was talking with a lady she works with and she was saying she wanted kids.... and i made the comment kids are a**holes... She says well thats not very nice to say as a father... I said any parent in the world that hasnt thought at one point or another their kids were a**holes just hasnt been around them long enough ;)
Click to expand...

I have to disagree with your logic there. I see your point and pick up on the sarcasm, but as a parent to two kids under 12 years old, there not assholes, there children. They are underdeveloped human beings that need guidance from us as parents to be taught how to be good people and contributing members of society.

My daughter, gives my wife and I enough grief to make up for both of our children. She's ADHD , has low self esteem, few friends, no athletic ability and struggles in her studies at school. She is constant drama. But she is my daughter and I love her as well as my son. It never even entered my mind that they where assholes nor would I call them such. Kids are a reflection of what there taught. Yeah, I might be a asshole, but its my hope that my kids grow up to be better than me.

I know you love your kids too WW, but I can understand why your wife's friend may of been a little taken back. But that's just me, just another point of view.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top