What Do I Need to Make Knives?

J

joeG26er

Joined
Mar 29, 2000
Messages
297
I am very interested in making my own knives.

What do I need to make knives:
Band saw, drill press, grinder....?
Sources for materials?

I figure I'll spend $500 or so on equipment?

I have heard that Harbor freight has some good deals on good machines.

How do I get in touch with Harbor Freight?

Any other sources?


Thanks

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RKBA!
 
What you need is a desire and a will to succeed where many have fallen by the wayside. (philosophy first, practicality second).

I'm just going by my own paltry list and please mind the dollars, I come from the vast frozen wastelands to the north where a US dollar goes a heck of lot futher than one of our Canadian Piasters!

Basically;
Bench,vise,good lighting, good ventilation, good set of files (clean and sharp), needle files and rifflers, bench grinder at 1725rpm with 8 to 10" wheels, flat grinder (the guys on this page seem to like the 4x36 Delta with the 6" disc), buffer/polisher set up (hard felt and/or loose muslin), drill press with variable speed pulleys (1/2" jacobs chuck should do ya), a source of good steels (see this forum for outstanding sources) and above all, the ability to critisize your own work objectively (I know, Iknow...back to the philosophy again).

I know that there are a million things I left out but that's because I'm just starting out myself. Ask me in a year what you need and I'll have a longer list I'm sure.

All the Best

Dileas Gu Brath
 
Joe,
Welcome to the wonderful world of knifemaking!

I'd suggest you go to www.grizzly.com and order one of their knife belt sander/buffers model G1015. I just got one and it is well worth the $295 price tag.

With a good sander, you can get by for a little while with a hacksaw to cut out your blades, but you need a drill press or one of these little stands that hold a drill to drill straight holes. A vise to hold stuff, files, sandpaper for hand sanding, and the material needed for making the knife.

Gosh, I just realized something. I wish I'd started out with this much stuff....
smile.gif


Get a good sander above anything else...

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Craig Blankenship
Blankenship Knives
http://www.blankenship-knives.com
 
Hello I allway's like to see a new hand on the knifemaking trail that is why I built this site http://www.geocities.com/tbark44
it has alot of equipment in it but it all came from Pawn shop's and some I built my self so just give the pictures time to load and look it over but the main ingrediant for knifemaking is want to if you dont have enough don't start a good grinder to start with is the 4x36 or the 1x30 delta you can get belt's for both at the local wal-mart and their not that expencive the fisrt main tool I would sugest is a Drill press you can do almost anything with one including drill holes hehehe

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TbarK Custom Knives
http://vip.hpnc.com/~tbark Therefore I erge you brother's in view of God's Mercy to offer your body's as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship Romans 12-1
 
Wow,
Thanks - where should I get all this stuff and how much should I expect to pay?

Can I get away with anything less?

Are there any books or reference materials I should get?

Thanks!

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RKBA!
 
As far as books go, I can't remember the titles but the books by Loveless and Boye are pretty good. Also, "The Complete Bladesmith" by Jim Hrisoulas is real good.
These can be ordered from Texas Knifemaker's Supply, K&G or most of the other supply houses.

Look at other folks work as something to strive for and a challenge. We all strive to make a better knife and try to improve with each one we make.

C Wilkins
 
you can get away with a lot less if you want to work hard.you can start with a c clamp to hold your metal to the table,or a vise to hold it,use a hack saw to cut it out ,and a file to shape it.I did this but i also have a grinder now a 2x42 from sears.very nice for about 190.00 it,s much faster but get some junk steel to practice on so you don't mess up your good stuff.hope this helps you.
David
 
I strongly suggest you go visit a knifemaker and see what he uses. There are plenty of good ones in Florida. Look for one who makes the kind of knives you're interested in.

Good luck! You're about to get the bug.

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
 
You will be better off to buy some 1095 or 1075 to start with it's cheep and soft allready and you dont have to take the pit's out like you would junk steel and it's very easy to heat treat your self

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TbarK Custom Knives
http://vip.hpnc.com/~tbark Therefore I erge you brother's in view of God's Mercy to offer your body's as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship Romans 12-1
 
What about files?
Specifically which ones do I need at a minimum?

I live in NE Florida- what knifemakers should I go see? Do they allow visitors?

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RKBA!
 
Where in NE FL are you? If you're in the Jacksonville area, you can come by my shop and I can show you my shop. I started in the $100.00 range.
All you need is what you have and can readily get. My first completed blade was cold forged from a large nail with a claw hammer using a 30lb dumbell for an anvil, and finished with one file. Don't let a lack of tools limit you.

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Oz

Now, what other news did I have? Oh yes, IT'S A GIRL!!!
See her and my latest blades @
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/
 
Just checked your profile. Does PVB stand for Ponte Vedra Beach? If so, you're all of a half an hour away. I'm in Middleburg technically, but the division is Orange Park South. I'll be working in the shop on Sunday if you want to come by.

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Oz

Now, what other news did I have? Oh yes, IT'S A GIRL!!!
See her and my latest blades @
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/
 
Originally posted by joeG26er:
What about files?
Specifically which ones do I need at a minimum?
Click to expand...

Can someone please answer this question? I'd love to make a real knife by hand. I've made some out of wood, (Ed Fowler didn't laugh) http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=254126&a=1889225&p=16606839
What kind of files do I need to work on steel? What sizes and shapes? Where can I order them online? I know I can do this, I really wouldn't care if it took me all year.



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"Will work 4 Knives!"
Homepage: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=254126
 
A good sense of humor and lots'a patience when dealing with the clowns on this forum!
smile.gif

Seriously you'll find some of the best help here on the forum, I'm a beginner also and have figured that I'll try the hand made route until I can afford a decent belt grinder. You should be aware that files come in a variety of grades, the most commonly available beng the bastard cut, which is a coarse grade and about the only one available through hardware stores. Finer grades such as second cut and smooth you'll have to order from a supply company, the idea being to cut down on the amount of sanding you'll have to do to achieve your desired finish by using finer cuts of files. -Guy T.
 
I have had the somewhat dubious honour of pretending to be a gunsmith for the last 30 years (pretending only because everytime I think I know something about gunplumbing someone comes along and points out my shortcomings). I found that the best files for doing intricate work come from the Swiss, Autrian or German houses. They are a little pricey (a set of Nichols needle files ((10 to a set) with cost around $200.00 canadian) but well worth the price. They cut clean without burring and usually come in at least 2 grades (fine and extra fine cut). A file that clogs quickly or drags chips will cost you more time and frustration and you don't need that just starting out. You can get some good files at lower prices but you have to be willing to scour some of the lesser known supply houses (plumbing, electical, jewelry and art supply) and you should come up with enough on your budget to accomplish almost anything.

If there is anything on this forum that I would observe, it's that the vast majority of these folks have a great deal of hands on experience and after seeing some of there work I realize (not for the first time) that I have a very long way to go before I can make a knife that I'm satisfied enough to put my name on. I wish the Best in your endeavors.

Dileas Gu Brath
 
The best everything comes from the Swiss, Austrian, and Germans (except maybe knives) Take Sig, Walther, Mauser, Steyr, Hammerli, well you get the picture, their lathes and milling machinces are the best too...but if you are not wealthy you will have to settle for second best and buy american!!!

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
Thanks to all for the great info.
I still would like to know how to get in touch with Harbor Freight. $150 for a grinder sounds good?
All I have right now is a Dremel kit...

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RKBA!
Click Here To Make $5with Paypal!
 
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