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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Wanting to try and learn bladesmithing
- Thread starter Valholla
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2016
- Messages
- 1,692
I know many times local knife groups will have a "hammer in" kind of event where you can do this. Do you have any state or local knife clubs?
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2018
- Messages
- 25
Valholla,
do lots of research.. go to what i like to call youtube university. if you watch enough videos on how to make a knife with simple tools, and find that its something you want to try, I highly recommend starting with a basic kit project.. you can find tons on the internet and its a really fun way to get introduced to some of the basics of knife assembly.. thats how i got started, and now i cut my own blanks out of steel i buy. Im a couple of years in, and I just love it.. I find my self daydreaming about it while im at work about what ill do in my shop that night when i get home.. or like now, ill be all over the forums and internets while im slow at work.. you can make a knife with just a file and sand paper and a chunk of decent steel, and I started making them that way when i wanted to be more involved in the process.
I wish you good luck, and much patience.. its fun but its hard work.. figures i would pick some sort of hard work as a hobby
do lots of research.. go to what i like to call youtube university. if you watch enough videos on how to make a knife with simple tools, and find that its something you want to try, I highly recommend starting with a basic kit project.. you can find tons on the internet and its a really fun way to get introduced to some of the basics of knife assembly.. thats how i got started, and now i cut my own blanks out of steel i buy. Im a couple of years in, and I just love it.. I find my self daydreaming about it while im at work about what ill do in my shop that night when i get home.. or like now, ill be all over the forums and internets while im slow at work.. you can make a knife with just a file and sand paper and a chunk of decent steel, and I started making them that way when i wanted to be more involved in the process.
I wish you good luck, and much patience.. its fun but its hard work.. figures i would pick some sort of hard work as a hobby
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
- Messages
- 38,105
Start by filling out your profile. It is hard to give advice or help to someone we don't even know where they live.
Read the stickies. There is a wealth of knowledge there. One is a tutorial on "How to make a knife". It covers tools, methods, and materials.
Find a local group that does bladesmithing/blacksmithing. Even knife clubs are a way to meet knifemakers.
Be realistic. You are not likely to make a stunning knife the first few times. It takes time, hard work, and gradual learning to get to the level of the knives you see in the books and here on Bladeforums. Start slow and simple. A 3.5" blade/4" handle drop point hunter is probably the best first knife.
Draw up plans and sketches. Post them here for other makers to look over and help you avoid pitfalls. You will learn a lot faster by starting with a good plan.
Finally, watching Forged in Fire and You-Tube videos can be either helpful or harmful. The problem is as a novice, you don't know which is which. Stick with tutorials and videos from well known makers. A lot of those are here on Bladeforums.
Read the stickies. There is a wealth of knowledge there. One is a tutorial on "How to make a knife". It covers tools, methods, and materials.
Find a local group that does bladesmithing/blacksmithing. Even knife clubs are a way to meet knifemakers.
Be realistic. You are not likely to make a stunning knife the first few times. It takes time, hard work, and gradual learning to get to the level of the knives you see in the books and here on Bladeforums. Start slow and simple. A 3.5" blade/4" handle drop point hunter is probably the best first knife.
Draw up plans and sketches. Post them here for other makers to look over and help you avoid pitfalls. You will learn a lot faster by starting with a good plan.
Finally, watching Forged in Fire and You-Tube videos can be either helpful or harmful. The problem is as a novice, you don't know which is which. Stick with tutorials and videos from well known makers. A lot of those are here on Bladeforums.
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2011
- Messages
- 5,036
Be careful. Being bitten by the knifemaking bug is like being sentenced to 20 years hard labor. But it's hard labor in a pool. You wade in a little at a time....until you are in the deep end. It can be very frustrating at times. Be smart and follow advice. Locate someone experienced near you who can give you pointers and some hands-on learning. Be focused. Making a few knives the very best you can will teach you more than making dozens half-assed. But when you finish your first knife you will be very proud.