UPDATED WIP - My 1st knife (and now 2nd) with no workshop

MarinMTL said:
Also, quick question to you all. As you know I really don't have any space at my disposal, so I was thinking about buying a Dremmel rotary tool for some of the tasks. Is it safe to assume that a Dremmel with the proper cut-off wheel to cut through a 1/8. piece of steel (to cut out the shape for example)?
Thanks for the help !
Marin
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I did that when I first started and to be honest, you are MUCH better off with a good hacksaw. The Dremel can be handy for other knifemaking tasks though.
 
one word
"Bravo"
I like how you let nothing "stop you from starting"
Great job, this place is awesome.
When you see someone actually trying to work hard on a task, people love to help out.
 
Ahhrg, I just wrote and full update post and it was erased by mistake... I'll update you guys tonight ! Thanks for the tips !
 
I missed this in browsing. Shame... Glad I saw it tonight.

This is truly an inspiring post. Very nice work, especially given the lack of tools, shop space, etc. Exactly the kind of post that helps bring in bystanders from the sidelines to give it a whirl.

If no one else has volunteered, I would like to. If you'd like, send me your address and I'll send you a bar of 1095 you can cut and file to shape. Send it back to me and I will HT it for you as well. I'll also kick in some handle material if you'd like, cocobolo or G10... Something cool... Pinstock as well if you need it. I have acquired a lot of extra materials that need a good home.

I'd like to see what you'd turn out with proper materials. You just have to promise to do a WIP thread so we can follow your progress...

Email me by clicking my sig and following my website. Email at the bottom of the page. Or e.lucy@gmd.com

Cheers!
-Eric
 
Hi guys,
Sorry about the delay in my update, busy week.
By the way, thank you all for the feedback, this forum is absolutely amazing !
So here it is.
So the final word is, I worked with plain mild steel... yeap, too bad but it's my first knife so I figure it's not that big of a deal.
So I went ahead without any HT and started assembling everything with the epoxy. (sorry but I dropped my phone on the sidewalk this week and i got a shattered screen, and a shattered lens) so i couldn't take pictures of the process.

Then I did some final sanding up to only 320 grit (I like the natural effect) and finalized the whole thing with some ultra matt polish on the handle.
A few tweaks, sharpening and blade polishing later, here is the final masterpiece my friends (I really don't feel like it's one but I'm in love with it...you know...first times... :) )!

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Please let me know what I could better for the next one...because YES, THERE WILL BE A NEXT ONE ! I love doing this ! (also please keep in mind i have ZERO tools to work with, although I may invest in a small belt sander/grinder. Which one is best by the way?)

And a HUUUUGE thank you to Patrice who commented earlier this week and offered to provide me with some real steel. He happens to also live in Montreal and we met today (man, small world...) and gave me some awesome 1084 steel along with some Mahogany and Arariba wood for the handle and countless other supplies!! This knife makers community is AMAZING! Be sure I'll also be documenting the next one.

Thank you guys for your support !!(so exited, I guess it kinda shows...)

Marin
 
MarinMTL said:
And thanks for the offer Lucy !! That's very appreciated !
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not a bad knife for a first try, looks like the handle would come apart with any kind of hard use, and not heat treating the blade is 1 of the worst things you can do for your knife, but for something to show your friends, and say check this out i made it....great job
 
This is a great thread and nice knife. Don't let anything stop you now and get to work on that 1084!

Good man, Patrice!
 
GuyWithaFewKnives said:
not a bad knife for a first try, looks like the handle would come apart with any kind of hard use, and not heat treating the blade is 1 of the worst things you can do for your knife, but for something to show your friends, and say check this out i made it....great job
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Thanks for the support I suppose... I'll make sure to show it to my friends.
 
Well at least he said great job. :rolleyes:

No idea why you would say this will come apart. No need to worry Marin, I've seen the knife first hand and structurally it is a perfectly fine full tang knife. And one heck of a job for a first one with almost no tools. Better than mine that's for sure.
And using mild steel was not a "mistake" but a conscious choice to be able to start practicing right away.
A "mistake" would be trying to discourage an enthusiastic new maker with random false statements. ;)

I was very happy to meet you and I look forward to your second knife. Don't hesitate if you need anything.
 
Hey guys ! Ahaha thanks Patrice !

Just a quick update.

I am so into making knifes now that I made some room into a storage corridor I made while designing our condo to put a small workbench.

It's the biggest I could fit in the space I have (43" wide, 21" deep) but I'll make the most of it !

Here is the picture of it on the listing. I'll go grab it tomorrow for 55$. I'll send pics once it is installed.

Have a great week guys !

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The main thing to remember is to Take Your Time. Do the research, make drawings, plan materials, do each step individually. Don't try and churn out a knife in a day.
Second thing is to visit Patrice regularly.

Thanks for helping Marin out Pat.
 
Great job for a first knife. This thread is very inspiring. I am tempted to try one now.
 
Thanks dr_fosg8, go for it, nothing should stop you !

The main thing to remember is to Take Your Time. Do the research, make drawings, plan materials, do each step individually. Don't try and churn out a knife in a day.
Second thing is to visit Patrice regularly.

Thanks for helping Marin out Pat.
Click to expand...

Thanks Stacy, you're absolutely right. To be honest, I am just using this as a pretext to do what I've always wanted, have a workshop.
But I am far too perfectionist to try to do something like a knife in a rush. The first one was as good as my tools could allow me to make it, but I'll now be able to spend more time with some (more) appropriate workspace and tools for the second one.

I spend some free time drawing blade shapes and trying to optimize them before I move into the making.

Have a great day guys, until next time !

Marin
 
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looks like a good start. I started out in a storage room of an appartement.

Try and figure a way to have a vice so it doesn't move.
Also take your time figuring out the best hight for you. An inch to high or low can mean backpain

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Sad I missed this, but well done sir! Skip getting a grinder for now, get yourself a GOOD set of files, a good hacksaw and quality blades, and a cheap drill press. Been making knives for 2 years now still using my cheapy harbor freight $60 drill press haha.

Seriously amazing job, cant wait to see what you do with steel you can harden.
 
Thanks Hengelo ! Glad to see I am not the only one ;)
Tin Man you didn't miss anything ! I'm still here and more into knife making than ever !
I have finished my workbench and will be posting pictures soon.
Also I already started to work on my 2nd knife with the 1084 steel that Pat Lemee was kind enough to give me. New thread to come soon !
 
Marin, that is great, your enthusiasm is infectious. I have a few tools ahead of you, but my first knife was made with similar tools, and apparently less natural skill, it didn't look as good as your! I will try and see if my Pops still has it and post a pick someday. Best wishes for your knifemaking, and keep on with your shop, it is truly one's own as it develops. And a class act from Patrice, and Eric, use what resources are willing to help you!

Cheers--Don
 
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