What it takes to make a knife

Cobra281

Cobra281

Joined
Sep 9, 2010
Messages
1,300
I like going onto the "Custom and handmade Knife" forum here on Blade Forums. There are some unbelievable knives on here.

Hoping in the not to distant future to be able to make some myself. Our Ferrier (shoes our horses) is wanting to start making some out of his old files. We are tossing around setting up a forge at the barn.

Anyway ...

The amount of time, effort and skill it takes to make a custom knife still amazes me.

Hope it's ok to cross thread this link, because it's a great Work In Progress.


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/845501-Girly-edc-wip
 
I've seen a lot of videos with people making knives out of files; considering the files have already been tempered themselves, does the forging process "reset" the heat treat so to speak?
 
Arkanian said:
I've seen a lot of videos with people making knives out of files; considering the files have already been tempered themselves, does the forging process "reset" the heat treat so to speak?
Click to expand...

From what I've read, you have to anneal it to undo the temper so that you can shape it. When you are done, you re-temper it.
 
Honestly, it's going to be a learning experience for both of us. But, he has over 300 old rasps, (files) so we can make a few mistakes (LOL)

Obviously needs to be heated to be reshaped, then ground, etc. Then draw it back for hardness. And, and, and, ....

We're both like sponges, trying to absorb all the different methods

But, I am really looking forward to taking it to the next level.

In laws will be here this week end - My Father in Law was a tool and die maker back in the day.

Gonna' pick his brain too.
 
Goes without saying, (but I'll say it anyway) any input from folks with experience in this area is greatly appreciated.
 
If you keep the temperature of the steel down while you are grinding. Yo will never have to heat treat. Just have a dozen or so files ready for the grinder. Do a little on one, put it down, do another, put it down etc. Then, when you finish the pile, goe back in the other direction.
 
You will have to anneal the files because they are hardened to the point of being brittle and unusable as a knife. They do make good blades when you harden and temper them. I can show you the gas forge I made for about 40 bucks (that will get you started) using a propane torch. I used a Cat oil filter (free) for the forge body lined with Kaowool and refractory clay. Shoot me an email if you'd like.
 
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