what tools do i need to have a good shop

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rotation5

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Apr 9, 2009
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hey so im basically getting into knife making i have no experiance so i plan to teach myself with books and stuff. i just have one question. can anybody give me a list of tools i need. i only need basic things and the cheapest possible i dont have much money. thanks
 
I'm totally knew to this stuff, too, but I think what you need is going to depend on whether you are going to forge the blade or just do stock removal.

This is an interesting 4 part bit on youtube of Greenpete making a bushcraft knife (stock removal of a file) with pretty simple equipment.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=greenpete+knife&aq=f

Good luck. I plan on making some knives in the future, as well, but I think I'll start with a few knife kits first.
 
One thing that could be of benefit to you would be to fill out your profile. You might be a quick drive from someone that could help you out in person.

A drill press is pretty indispensable for drilling pin holes for handles... Other than that there are options. A hacksaw can be used to rough-profile blades cheaply. (I used to use a hacksaw to start, and a half-round file to finish the profile shape) Files and sandpaper, or an angle grinder would be cheap ways to start shaping bevels. A supply of wet or dry sandpaper (Silica Carbide) in a progression of grits will be necessary for finishing blades on the cheap.

You'll either need to send the blade off for heat treating, or get equipped to heat treat your own blades.. which is nothing to skimp on costs with. ...I started with a one brick forge, others started with/use an inexpensive coal forge. If you want to pick up a book on basic knife making on a budget, you could get "The $50 Knife Shop" by Wayne Goddard. Read the stickies at the top of the forum. Some of the long posts may make your head hurt, but it's important information. :) Also, a lot of this gets covered every two weeks here if you watch the forum. I've had more questions I didn't know I had answered for me just by checking in here once a day.

Edit- Yeah that greenpete video shows a pretty dang simple coal forge and methods. Now I feel like an a$$ taking 30 minutes to post all that, lol.
 
Yeah, this can be expensive. Since the first of the year I've purchased a band saw, drill press, 30" belt sander' 42" belt sander, 6" belt sander, router and table, drill press, skill saw, orbital sander, screw guns, files, clamps, sandpapers, Dremel, all kinds of bits and blades, a bunch of stuff to makes kydex sheaths and holsters, kydex, micarta, wood, blades, pins, adhesives . . .

Cost. about $4000.00. :)

And I haven't even made a blade yet. No forge, no anvil, no hammers, no heat treating equipment . . .

I just can't wait to buy all that stuff.
 
Read the stickie at the top of the forum for newbies it should answer most of your questions and then some.
Mace
 
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