What is your favorite step in knife making?

Fletch Helical

Fletch Helical

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Sep 29, 2009
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Seems there are always steps that many of us either mildly dislike or outright hate doing sometimes. What step or steps do you find the most enjoyable. For me as of right now I would have to say it's doing the handles, at least for stock removal. What little forging I've done I've really enjoyed the whole banging steel aspect and watching the steel move and take shape with each hit. But I'm not sure which I enjoy more between the two. If I HAD to choose I think it would be handle shaping by a very slim win. How about you?
 
I would have to say filework. I don't usually plan it, I just pick up a file and start. I always try to have it flow with the knife and compliment it.
 
This might seem silly but the last "Step" out of the basement with the finished knife.
Forging the blade comes in a close second.
 
I only make slipjoints. My favorite part is the fitup of spring and blade for that important "walk and talk" . If I do it correctly...it makes my day. I also like the fitting of natural materials to bolster and liners so that they flow properly.
 
I would have to say for me its a toss up between the design an the point I say its done. Sanding can become laborious, but that's only because I am still working on my technique with the grinder so I leave some ugly scratches still
 
I like forging

I like grinding

I don't like handles

I don't like guards

I like it when it all comes together

I LOVE it when the customer likes the end results.

Robert (who don't really like much of anything, but loves a few things):eek:
 
Definitely Forging . I like banging on the hot steel, kinda of my zen moments. a close second would be finish grinding ...steve
 
My favorite part must be the grinding of the blade. I hollow grind and always have 20 or 30 blades ahead of guards and bolsters.
 
Not sure, I like working on a new design, but then I also like working a wood handle, you never really know how the grain will appear until it is finished. The only parts that I dislike, are sheaths, and guards, I hate making a sheath, it is a neccesary evil.
 
My favorite point is when it's all done and I can show it off to you guys.:D Actually, other than that, I would rather spend 12hrs swinging a hammer and forging knives than 12hrs at my regular job sitting on my @#$. There is just something about hitting red hot steel and watching it move that I just love.
 
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My favorite part is handles too, but it's at the very end after finish sanding when I peel the protective tape off the blade (and it actually resembles a knife!)
 
Definantly the Forging! I got to swing a hammer today onto some hot steel so that made my day! Pretty much the list that Mr Dark gave. I feel the same way...

Jason
 
At this point, since I have only done 5 or 6 knives, it is the point that I bring it to my wife and her eyes light up and says "YOU MADE THIS?"
 
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