Want To Get Started Making Knives

B

BuffaloWang

Joined
Aug 17, 2012
Messages
12
Hello BF!

Now this is just another newbie looking to start making knives as a hobby, but don't get turned away yet! Like Wayne says, it takes dedication and patience to learn; something I'm willing to do in order to learn. Going to start with stock removal.

I've skimmed through various parts and read through the $50 Knife Shop, but I'm still a bit confused. I'm more of a "How To, step 1...50" type of guy until I can figure out the gist of it.

I want to start so what should I do? I want to start as cheap as I can, while being reasonable. Do I make a belt grinder? Do I buy one [if I do, it'll probably be the Harbor Freight $40 1x30 grinder]?

What materials and tools do I need to get started? TIA
 
SBuzek said:
Read this .... twice and then any questions you have we'll try and answer.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/694673-How-to-instructions-for-making-a-knife

Stan
Click to expand...

Just read through this. So if I go through hand tools stock removal, I will need:
10-12" mill bastard
10" second cut file
Wet-or-dry metal working paper- 100/220/400/800/1000/1500/2000/2500

Not quite sure on the procedure though. When you file and sand, and where. If anyone has pictures or has gone through this guide?
 
There is a few vids on U-tube? Google a bunch of stuff like how to grind a knife or how to draw file a knife blade.
Eddie
 
1. make the steel flat
2. cut out the profile
3. scribe the center line
4. make a distal taper (optional)
5. grind in the bevels
6. drill the tang pin holes
7. sand
8. heat treat
9. sand some more ( and then sand some more and wish you sanded better before heat treat)
10. attach scales
11. profile scales
12. redo scales to get rid of blocky scale syndrome
13. sharpen
 
First, fill out your profile with all the info, then follow these steps.
Willie71 said:
1. make the steel flat
2. cut out the profile
3. scribe the center line
4. make a distal taper (optional)
5. grind in the bevels
6. drill the tang pin holes
7. sand
8. heat treat
9. sand some more ( and then sand some more and wish you sanded better before heat treat)
10. attach scales
11. profile scales
12. redo scales to get rid of blocky scale syndrome
13. sharpen
Click to expand...

The "How to make a knife" tutorial has all the steps, including getting the work space ready and the tools needed. It goes step by step with about as much detail as words will convey.
 
bladsmth said:
The "How to make a knife" tutorial has all the steps, including getting the work space ready and the tools needed. It goes step by step with about as much detail as words will convey.
Click to expand...

Hey Stacy!

Thanks for the message.

So I'll go buy these things:
10-12" mill bastard
10" second cut file
Wet-or-dry metal working paper- 100/220/400/800/1000/1500/2000/2500
System Three T-88 or slowest curing
Light tension spring clamps
Blue Painter's Tape

Thinking of 1084 .125", width: 1.25", length: 48" from NJSteelBaron

So from what I understand, this is the setup:
p2g7MLjl.png


I'm going to start with a "rectangle" piece of metal and draw the pattern on it. Is there a way to heat treat the knife myself? Maybe with Wayne's one brick method?

What's good/where to get handle material?
 
Yea, do some reading. It will tell you to make a pattern that works for you and then go with that. Even the very experienced makers most often do that. Frank
 
Last edited:
Get a sturdy vice, some files, sandpaper and a drill and go at it. Get some steel, and there are good sources here on this forum. Let your creativity flow. As for heat treat, send it out, you can learn about heat treat later.
 
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