want to learn to make my own knives

joncevans

joncevans

Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
200
Hey guys, I've had an interest in knives since I was old enough to walk. I've bought, sold, traded, sharpend, and about everything else you can do with a knife ever since. I own what my wife says is too many knives, and I will only buy knives that I can use for the most part. That being said, I only buy what I would consider to be a QUALITY KNIFE. Now I have an urge to make knives of my own, but I dont know where to start. I've looked at belt grinders from Grizzly, and others, and I've looked at God knows how many books, and DVD's that a fella can buy. I've even looked at a few classes to take. I want to start out with fixed blade, and sheaths for fixed blades. I want to learn to make this QUALITY KNIFE that you only see in places like these. There are so many QUALITY KNIFE MAKERS in here. I have had the pleasure of speaking to a handfull of you guys either by phone or by email, Bgoode, Beck, are on the top of my list of QUALITY KNIFE MAKERS. I look forward to talking, and meeting more of you over time, but for now can any of you guys give a good ol boy from Eastern Kentucky a point in the right direction of where to start?
 
Sorry guys.......looks like I need to learn how to use the computer to.....didnt mean to duplicate this thread three times..
 
You seem to need to decide if you want to make them of collect them.Too many people rush out and buy a couple of thousand dollars of equipment and supplies,only to find that they either don't possess the skills to make knives,or don't have the desire to do that much work.Here are some ways to decide and get started:
1) Go to the Blade Show in June.It is held in Atlanta,Ga.This is the big daddy of all shows.You can meet everyone from Bill Moran to Tai Goo,join the ABS,See demonstrations on many things,meet a lot of the BF guys and gals,get more catalogs than you can ever need,and buy everything you want (and probably more than you intended to).Take a tote bag or back pack,good walking shoes,and take your time.There is so much to see that the three days is not enough.I would say don't buy much of anything but food and drink on the first day.You get a planner sheet with locations and makers on it just to figure out who you want to see and who you want to go back to.
2) Go to a hammer-in and see/meet/try some of what you have read about.
3)You can make a pretty good first knife from a blade you purchase from a good supplier. If this appeals to you ,go to the Blade Show in Atlanta in June,or any of the other knife shows that the suppliers set up at.A "kit" knife is a good way to get started.Most can be made with simple tools and equipment,many with only hand tools.
4) Find a maker near you and go visit him/her.They will be glad to show you what goes into this art, and will most likely be glad to teach you .It never hurts to find out what their favorite brand of beer is before you go ( In IG's case the word beer on the can is more than sufficient).
5) Check out the societies,guilds,clubs in your area.They know the who/what/where/when of all the above info.
Most of these things listed can be found on this site,or by a few minutes on Google.Visit things like the ABS site,Club sites,and as soon as we get it back up again the www.knifehow.com site. (It is up,but we are still moving the links and tutorials around. Everything is stacked in the submissions box for viewing)
Stacy
 
Try to find a local maker they may not mind alittle coaching, and definetly start reading the knifemaking how to books. You can find them at Texas Knife, or any of the suppliers. Good Lucks.
 
I know that I want to make them.... of all of the knives that I have, there is always something I wish I could change about them at some time or another. Maybe the handle, the grind, or even the sheath or carry option that any particular knife may have. I have played around with Kydex, and tried to make a different sheath for a few of my knives. I have also always been interested in leather work, but I know that equipment is not cheap, so would probably go with kydex for a while. I'm not really into the fancy decorated knives as much as a more rugged usable plain finish knife. I'm not looking to make a big career change, and go into knife making full time, I just want to give it a whirl, and see where it goes. Maybe make knives for my Dad, and my brothers, and a hand full of friends. However it would be nice to be able to pick up some extra cash from selling one ever now and then. I plan on moving back to Kentucky this summer, or fall, but for now I live in north Texas. If you happen to know anyone in this area that I could look up I would appreciate it. Or if you could recommend a particular book or DVD, that would be a good start I would appreciate it..

ps........does anyone know how to get the duplicate posts off of here. somehow when I posted it, I managed to hit the button three times....

anyway I appreciate any input you guys can give me....
 
I'm in the same boat right now - always wanted to make my own (and get good enough to sell some and support my knife habit). I've read a number of books, but am not willing to shell out the money for proper tools until I know if I'll have the patience and perseverance to stick with it. I've ordered a kit knife to start - I figure if I can do good work with hand tools on the bolster and handle, then I'll invest in a cheap bench wheel grider. Then, if I can get passable blades ground with a wheel grinder, and handles finished well, I'll look into getting a proper belt grinder and supporting equipment.

As far as heat treating, I'll use O1 at first, so I don't need to buy an expensive heat treatment oven. If I enjoy the hard work required to finish a good knife, then eventually I'll get the oven and try some harder steels (or outsource it).

For me, the trick will be to step into it without spending a fortune, until I find out if I have the necessary apptitude (and attitude, and TIME) to stick with it (and until I learn how to safely use all the dangerous power-tools involved - I'm definitely a novice in the shop arena!).

Good luck to you
 
joncevans, there is no easy way here to delete a duplicate. About the best one can do is click "edit", erase all the text and simply leave "sorry, duplicate post" or something like that. Perhaps a moderator will see your need and delete them for you.

There are a great many knifemakers in Texas. Here is a link to a forum of Texas knifemakers and collectors:

http://www.knifenetwork.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=30

Have fun. :)
 
I tried to delete the text, but it wont let me leave a message shorter than 10 characters long. So I guess I will just leave them in here, and apologize to everyone again instead of cluttering up the thread anymore. And thanks to all for your input.
 
try leaving ten periods........................it's what I do

you don't have to do anything, though..... just info for "next time".:)
 
get a benchtop drill press, metal bandsaw, and a decent afordable grinder. Then build from there. Have as much fun shoping for the tools you need and build your equipment. Hell, you might have all you need already if you look around. Hand files and a hand drill can do alot with the want to do it..........just takes more sweat :)
 
fitzo said:
try leaving ten periods........................it's what I do

you don't have to do anything, though..... just info for "next time".:)
Click to expand...


Thanks fitzo...........
 
blgoode said:
get a benchtop drill press, metal bandsaw, and a decent afordable grinder. Then build from there. Have as much fun shoping for the tools you need and build your equipment. Hell, you might have all you need already if you look around. Hand files and a hand drill can do alot with the want to do it..........just takes more sweat :)
Click to expand...


Thanks BGoode... I talked with you a few months ago on the phone...I think you told me that the grizzly grinder was a good one to look at. I got a catalog from grizzly they have a g1015 model that is labled as a knife grinder. Is this a good one, and does it have the capability to perform the tasks that I would need it too? I have a porta band, and a sawzall, probably not real handy for this kind of cutting, but better than nothing I guess. Have hand drill, but they make some benchtop drills fairly cheap now. What about books, and DVD's? any suggestions? and nice talking to you again..
 
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