What would you like to see in an intermediate knifemaking book?

good ideas, Scott. Some of those considerations certainly fit the ballpark. I take it you're big on Toyota style industrial practices to increase volume, etc, lol. I'll have to look that up.
 
Zombie, yes, and yes. I've got a format and co-authors in mind, they just don't all know it yet, lol.
 
Jason Fry said:
Zombie, yes, and yes. I've got a format and co-authors in mind, they just don't all know it yet, lol.
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I like the cut of your jib sir!
Keep em guessin' :eek:

Personally I prefer collaborations to single authors in instructional formats.
Sort of a forum vs a lecture.

Having several knowledgeable persons in the same field of study describing "their" methods will always leave a viewer/reader thinking rather than feeling overwhelmed.
Best of luck to you sir!:thumbsup:
 
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A section on integral knives could be good, as well as methods of creating san mai blades of various types, and a section on damascus steel finishing techniques, patterning theory, and steel choices. Discussion of takedown construction styles including frame handles would be good, and a chapter on layout, design, and flow with examples of various maker's work to illustrate. The use of milling machine and lathe to fabricate and fit furniture would perhaps be helpful. Hamon could get a fairly indepth treatment, covering the basic theory and methods used to obtain different looks. Kitchen knives could be a big chapter... geometry, weight, materials choices, and handle design are all fairly particular.
Applied arts such as relief carving, handle sculpting, and inlay or engraving could be touched upon... as could the decision whether or not to include them on a given knife.
Other things such as the decision to go full time or stay at a serious hobby level could be discussed perhaps, and the business of knifemaking and marketing in the modern age is usually overlooked as a topic of discussion. Work flow and shop layout are good subjects, and whether to take custom orders vs. working only on spec, or some combination thereof, is a stimulating topic to be sure.
I always find the mental well-being of the maker, as well as the focus required for productivity, to be an engaging subject and quite important. It's very easy to burn out- that's why I loved Don Fogg's "The Way" section at his old site. Things like just knowing when to stop and just sweep the shop and reflect a bit...
 
How about a comprehensive look at heat treatment for knife making steels. Something that encompasses all the basics in one place. I know when I want to try a new steel I spend immeasurable amounts of time looking for all that I can to get a base line. You can also include some of the metallurgy aspects that some have spoken of already.
 
for some backround and science on steels and heat treat, this book was written for us "Metallurgy of steel for bladesmiths" by John Verhoeven https://archive.org/details/Metallu..._Others_who_Heat_Treat_and_Forge_Steel_By_Joh more ideas can be found by reading the posts of Roman Landes on this site and hypefreeblades forum http://www.hypefreeblades.com/forum/search.php?author_id=114&sr=posts
if I started a thread that listed heat treat info for steels I used, would you contribute the steels you use that are not on the list?
 
The importance of testing to dial in your equipment. It's one thing to look up a recipe to heat treat W2, compared to doing 20-50 coupons testing different temps, soaks, and quench mediums.

Specific metallurgy would probably be too overwhelming and there are several good sources for that information. There are great General guides as well as specifics on several sites on the web.

An area I see lacking in many newer makers is understanding of ergonomics and geometry. How much drop in the handle, where is the tip relative to the index finger and but of the handle etc.
 
Willie71 said:
The importance of testing to dial in your equipment. It's one thing to look up a recipe to heat treat W2, compared to doing 20-50 coupons testing different temps, soaks, and quench mediums.

Specific metallurgy would probably be too overwhelming and there are several good sources for that information. There are great General guides as well as specifics on several sites on the web.

An area I see lacking in many newer makers is understanding of ergonomics and geometry. How much drop in the handle, where is the tip relative to the index finger and but of the handle etc.
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That last part is what I've been wanting to say, but I wasn't sure if that qualified as "intermediate". I'd gladly buy a book that could help me understand the finer points of design!
 
AlaskanHunter said:
That last part is what I've been wanting to say, but I wasn't sure if that qualified as "intermediate". I'd gladly buy a book that could help me understand the finer points of design!
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I think in knife design you enter an area best done with experiments rather than books. A book can show you the difference between a drop point hunter and a french chef's knife or the difference between a Japanese and Western style handle. I mostly do kitchen knives. look at the folks in my household. I have large hands, my wife has small hands, the granddaughter that cooks with us has average female hands. a knife that is comfortable for me, too big for wife, and uncomfortable for grandkid. I have made identical blades but had three different handles.
the same blade shape may be used differently. I usually pull cut or slice, so blade should be thin as possible with very low angles. the wife is a rocker chopper. heavier blade a little thicker at the edge. but seen in a photo, both knives are basic chef's knives.

Maybe that is another business model. make a spec blade and have numerous handle options
 
Jason Fry said:
good ideas, Scott. Some of those considerations certainly fit the ballpark. I take it you're big on Toyota style industrial practices to increase volume, etc, lol. I'll have to look that up.
Click to expand...
I have worked in places that use some Toyota practices for the last 20 years. I reference them because there are many books available that talk about what to do and keep it simple. A lot of it is common sense. If I am buying an SAE grade 7 bolt, the lowest cost and the highest cost product should perform the same. If I use Starrett O1 PGFS, the lowest cost and highest cost should be identical. If I look at how my work area is arranged, can I change it so work flow is easier or so I can sit if I need to. do you work on only one knife or do batches? experiment with stuff, a brand new Blaze belt rough ground two blades, it took two Norzon belts to do two blades, but the total cost of 2 norzon belts was $3 less than the one Blaze. which do you buy next time? just some thoughts
 
Proper heat treat of steels as it pertains to real world usage of knives would be at the top of my list. It would be nice if that info would come from reputable sources rather than the "internet"
Also it would be nice to show processes from start to finish, such as tang tapering etc. Step by step tutorials would be great.
It would also benefit more people I feel if these processes were shown on equipment that is obtainable. Not everyone can afford a fully operational machine shop.
 
I like the idea of having a book that outlines how to test your designs. I think this would be really helpful for those of us that need a good, solid refresher on the scientific method!!
 
scott.livesey said:
for some backround and science on steels and heat treat, this book was written for us "Metallurgy of steel for bladesmiths" by John Verhoeven https://archive.org/details/Metallu..._Others_who_Heat_Treat_and_Forge_Steel_By_Joh more ideas can be found by reading the posts of Roman Landes on this site and hypefreeblades forum http://www.hypefreeblades.com/forum/search.php?author_id=114&sr=posts
if I started a thread that listed heat treat info for steels I used, would you contribute the steels you use that are not on the list?
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those are great resources. thanks dont think i have stumbled across those before.
 
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