What are the basics?

Kalindras · Aug 25, 1999

I've set up a small shop, and have been making knives for about a half a year (doing stock removal and finishing). I've been doing it "The Amish Way" (so my friends tell me)--using almost exclusively hand tools. The only power tools I've used thusfar are a buffer (okay, it's a grinder, but I stick buffing wheels on it), and a drum sanding mandrel on my 1/2 HP drill.

What I'm trying to find out is, what do you folks consider to be the most essential tools for knifemaking? Obviously, I have a fair assortment of files, but I was wondering if there was anything really ultra-useful that folks in general felt they couldn't live without. How 'bout it?

Thanks for your input.

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It's the SUSPENSE that kills me! --Bugs Bunny

Kisu · Aug 25, 1999

The first 2 that pop into my head is a drill press and a file guard. I don't know what I would do without them, wait a minute yes I do, I started off without them

Trust me those two things are essencial. Hope this helps.

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KSwinamer

Kalindras · Aug 26, 1999

File guard? Was ist dieses 'file guard?' Most of my files have a 'safe' edge...is this some tool that mimics that, to protect an adjoining portion of the piece?

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It's the SUSPENSE that kills me! --Bugs Bunny

Ellis · Aug 25, 1999

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Dave Ellis, ABS, Mastersmith

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Kisu · Aug 25, 1999

A "file guard" ist ein...oops is a pair of steel plates that are harden on the edge that protects an area from being file, aka. ricasso or the guard shoulders when you are going to place a guard on a blade. The two plates are tapped and treaded so that a pair of bolts can go through so that it is adjustable. Hmmm...this is awkward to type out, it was so much easier in my head

Maybe I should have stuck with German

Anyone else explain this better? If not I'll take another crack at it later if you don't follow me.

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KSwinamer

Kalindras · Aug 25, 1999

Ah, I think I see...essentially, it's a type of specialized clamp that fits around your piece to prevent you filing beyond a given point--sort of like a depth gauge for a drill, eh?

Kisu · Aug 25, 1999

Yeah, yeah that's it exactly. Whew..glad you understood cause I was starting to confuse myself

I have found the file guard to be really usefull even with things like getting that "perfect" ricasso.

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KSwinamer

magnum .44 · Aug 25, 1999

if your gonna get one expensive tool, etheir a plasma cutter or a belt sander i can't decide. the plasma cutter is like a cutting torch, but it is more accurate, and very easy to use. the belt sander is very important it's 1000 times faster than a file and you can do more with it, hallow grinds and saber grinds. your knives will look better, and you can polish easier. if your gonna get one you get a kamalazoo, with a 2" by 48" belt and 1/2hp motor. or you can spend $2000 and get a hardcore belt sander.