What equipment do I need to start making knives?

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Pubathedog

Joined
Oct 25, 2012
Messages
10
I need to know what all I need to make knives. I have about a $200 dollar budget, so tell me what I could use for an anvil or a forge. Thanks for any help.
 
Ask yourself: has anyone asked this question before? It is a pretty good question, and the answer is yes. Try searching on google with the phrase site:bladeforums.com following the query. Suggested first searches: start making knives, cheap anvil, post anvil, cheap forge, beginner forge, and starting knifemaking. Also, we can't forget that there is a wealth of information right in shop talk, right at the top of the page. If you have any more questions after searching and reading the stickies, then come back and we will be more than happy to help.
 
Here's how someone made their first knife (Critique My First Knife). Although some will tell you different, in reality you only need some basic hand tools. A few files, a hacksaw and some sandpaper is the very basics. A 4" grinder is a help as is a drill. You'll also need some way to fasten the handles to the blade. Most use epoxy but you could use screws if you have them.

It won't be easy but it it's something you want to do, then it shouldn't matter how hard or how long it takes!
 
Man, you need to slow down! Read, read and then read some more. All of your questions have been asked before and if you took a small amount of time reading the answers they got then people would be much more likely to help you out as it shows you have done some basic research.

Here: http://bit.ly/PwmPJX

I'm not trying to be rude but you are asking people who have spent years working at this to bend over backwards for someone they have never heard of. I know a lot of people here would do just that the first few times but these kind of questions are a daily thing.

My experience is that if you show that you have done your research and are willing to expend effort learning this on your own then people will be much more inclined to help with specific questions.

Don't be discouraged, teach yourself what you want to learn.

Cheers
 
#1 is desire, if you have a strong desire to make knives the equipment will take care of itself.
My first knife was made on a hand crank grinder borrowed from my grandfather. Later it was a file, blow torch and wet stone.
 
Listen to Ed. If you have the desire, you will figure out how to get it done.

For me, reading through many of the posts on blade forums gave me ideas on how to do things with what I had on hand.

I used a one brick forge and used motor oil from the family minivan to harden my first blade, got a toaster oven for 98 cents at a garage sale for tempering. The toaster oven was priced at a dollar, but I only had 98 cents in change or a $20 dollar bill. They took the 98 cents. I still use it for tempering and heating Kydex.


Ric
 
bladsmth, I actually haven't been able to use the BFC Google search engine lately, I'll type in a query, press enter then it says Loading but doesn't do anything. Has anyone else had trouble with it lately?

Edit: Nevermind, I figured it out. If anyone is using the Firefox privacy addon Ghostery, be aware that it will block the search results for some reason. Unblocking the Google AJAX Search API will fix it.
 
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