Very newb hopeful knifemaker with some anvil and other related questions

S

Sunny93

Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
1
Hi all,

I just joined this site today to hopefully get some insight on some questions I had and have not even thought about yet.
Im 21 years old and looking to make some knives as a hobby. The first question I have is what is a decent and cheap anvil set up. I have no welding experience or equipment but live close to a few junk/auto yards. Also since im in the lower mainland BC (delta) I cannot seem to find any railroad track laying about which I've heard would suffice. However, I do have access to free rebar, files, and railroad spikes for practicing on.

My second question is if it is even worth while to make knives out of these materials (will they hold a useable edge and will they make decent camp/survival knives)

ps: I am sorry that i realize that most of this is probably asked but I do not know how to search for things yet on this site.
 
Since no one has responded;

It is a bit foolish to make knives from materials that are not suitable. Rebar won't work at all. RR spikes will make only very poor knives.

Get a few bars of basic forging steel and make the knives. If they turn out good, they will be usable.

1070, 1080, 1084 ( best choice), 5160, O-1 all are good starter steels for forging. Most get them from Aldo at New Jersey Steel Baron, or from knife suppliers like USA Knifemaker supply. many other suppliers are listed in the stickys. The stickys also have most of the info you will want to get started.
 
Fo the stock removal method of knife making, an anvil is not required. You can aslo ship your semi finished blanks out to be heat treated. A hack saw, a few good files and a load of sand paper are all you really need. Well, and a drill, bits, epoxy, handle pins, etc. It is fairly cheap to use had tools. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r9iNDRwwBQQ
I reccomend this jig for filing.
 
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The stickys have a load of info and there is a tutorial, "How to Instructions for Making a Knife". The info in the stickys is pretty much a necessity to make good knives, so read it all thoroughly.

Second - Fill out your profile. Knowing who you are and where you live may help a local maker offer some help.
 
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