What would you need to start knife making?

tritiuminator

tritiuminator

Joined
Feb 20, 2009
Messages
212
Hi all,

I'm thinking of making knives and was wondering what sort of equipment would one need to start? I collect mostly tactical fixed knives and folders and I'm interested in making edc fixed knives for starters.

I've yet to get some text on knife making. All I have for the moment is garage space and desire to start it up.

Hope you guys can enlightened me.

Thanks
 
What's your budget? You could start with a file and a C-clamp. Or you could drop $10,000 on a complete shop set-up.
 
Are you going to forge or do stock removal? That kinda skews the costs a bit.

Chris Moss makes better knives than 90% of the people out there using around $100 in tools (not including the cost of sandpaper).

Top end grinder about $2000
Belts $300 or so to find out what you want to use
Drill press (I use a HF) $200
Foredom or other flexshaft tool $175
Files/Rasps $100
Sandpaper $50
Materials for about 10 knives $100
Consumables (drill bits, adhesives, gloves, tape) $200
Vise $75
Use the rest of the money to build benches, random power outlets, storage stuff

That's what I'd think but I'm 100% sure others will have different ideas. I went a different route to get to where I am, started pitifully cheap, wallowed in the pits of knifemaking hell to make the money to learn and upgrade tooling.
 
I started with a cheap vise, hacksaw, file, cheap drill press and sand paper. I used known cheap steel 1095 and the cheapest handle material and pins. After I made half a dozen that way I started upgrading the equipment and using more expensive handle material.

I still go back to the file sometimes just to slow things down and enjoy the process, but I have no desire to make knives for a living. I will keep the day job. :)

Lane
 
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Will Leavitt said:
Are you going to forge or do stock removal? That kinda skews the costs a bit.

Chris Moss makes better knives than 90% of the people out there using around $100 in tools (not including the cost of sandpaper).

Top end grinder about $2000
Belts $300 or so to find out what you want to use
Drill press (I use a HF) $200
Foredom or other flexshaft tool $175
Files/Rasps $100
Sandpaper $50
Materials for about 10 knives $100
Consumables (drill bits, adhesives, gloves, tape) $200
Vise $75
Use the rest of the money to build benches, random power outlets, storage stuff

That's what I'd think but I'm 100% sure others will have different ideas. I went a different route to get to where I am, started pitifully cheap, wallowed in the pits of knifemaking hell to make the money to learn and upgrade tooling.
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Stock removal will be best to start with i think
 
i just started also... i made a work bench, had some tools already,, but bought about 10 files of varying types, a vice, borrowed moms drill press and sandpaper... got some blanks to start from mr mickley (sp) at www.usaknifemaker.com and went to shaving metal.. it's slow going but i tried using a handheld belt sander upside down, just couldnt get good use of it so i abandoned that idea pretty quick...
 
I just need to figure out the solid working surface. It has to be relatively small and fit on my front porch. Everything else will likely be found at thrift shops, garage sales or flea markets. That work table seems to be a fairly critical foundation to all else.
 
If you're going to put $3500 into a knifemaking setup, I highly recommend you visit some local makers if you can. Buy them lunch, visit their shops and ask questions. See how they make their knives and what equipment they use. Everyone does it differently, with that kind of up-front outlay it'd be nice to know how they use it and if it's right for you.
 
Its all unique, as AcridSaint said. I use a bandsaw, 1x30 HF belt sander (upgrading to a no-weld sometime), scroll saw, miter saw, drill press, files, sandpaper, and a decent vise. I'm not saying by any means that my setup is good, but I already had a drill press, miter saw, and scroll saw, so with getting the bandsaw and sander, I had about $200 invested. All together, steel, sandpaper, wood, brass for pins, etc, I have about $350.

I got my first piece of known steel from a guy locally who had a machine shop and was retired and moving to Florida. Check your newspaper and craigslist daily in both the free and tools sections. You'd be surprised how cheap you can find stuff if you wait long enough. (I got 3 or 4 Nicholson's files for a dollar each, and that piece of steel for a dollar)

If you have the capital to start, don't get a 1x30 grinder. Instead, get a KMG, or go to usaknifemaker.com and look at the No-Weld grinder. $25 for plans, and about $350 for the entire grinder with a frugal approach. I have heard nothing bad about them.
 
TRI ill have to abbreviate your name cuzz ive been shooting gophers all day and my vision is blurred , lol we got 700 gophers give or take a few gut shot lol. I just got into theis hobby 10 weeks ago. I went and bought a 200 dollar drill press, a 4 1/2 inch hand grinder. I had a 6 inch bench wheel grinder, files hammers a few punches and centre punches. 30 Sheets of emery cloth various grit from 150 to 800 . I would buy a good buffer 200 bucks. The belt sander i have is a 1x30 but in my opinion great for handles but not so good for steel . I go through a pile of belts, I just bought a new knife grinder 2x72 with a motor for 1500 step pulley system . A variable speed is another 500 for top of the line and can go as high as 2500. Ithink you can get a kmg for like 1500 with a motor and then say another 600 for a bench grinder and a buffer, and a decent drill press. they would all run around 200 each. some brands are higher but you get what you pay for. Buy the KMG if you have that kind of money. I have 1 front shoulder of leather and youll need some leather tools ,leather punch a few stamps some dye ,needles waxed linen thread and snaps oh a couple packs of leather rivots. leather and tools 200 bucks. Thats what i spent at tandy the first time there, I made 20 sheaths out of a front shoulder.Keep the stamps to a min at first its a little tricky stamping. Oh youll need a thonging chisle.To date ive spent 2500- 3000 ,get saftey equipment respirator a good one and googles and heat resistant gloves are good, ear plugs or head phones. welcome to the room
 
I forgot to mention the files mostly used are flat bastard, big flat mill, a couple sizes round a chain saw file for the ricaso. Iwould get 2 sets of cheap jeweler s files like 5 bucks a set. I dont file to much any more but i know i maybee should. here is a picture of my first knife i finished 2 months ago.cpm 154 stainless steel with a vavona burl handle and brass pins with file work.
HPIM0675.jpg
HPIM0678.jpg
 
Awesome guys! What a wealth of info you all have provided. Thanks for contributing. I definitely learnt a few things from this thread.

Thanks again to all
 
all you need are a pillar drill, vice, files, hacksaw and patience.

you can outsource heat treating, and you can scavenge materials for aq first knife. Don't forget to factor in the cost of sandpaper and glue, i find that i often spend nearly as much in glue and paper as i do on steel
 
tritiuminator said:
:eek: Well if I were to put in $3500 into it for starters what would put it into?
Click to expand...

$3500 is a great starting budget! Spend the first $10 on a membership here so you can use the search function. :) Read the "sticky" threads. Maybe start with some kit blades to get used to assembling handles. Build or buy a good solid bench. Invest in your health! Get a respirator and goggles or face-shield. First power tool? Drill press, drill press, or drill press. I promise you won't regret it. Buy some books* and read the print off the pages. Follow AcridSaint's advice if you can find a local maker.

*"$50 Knife Shop" by Wayne Goddard and "How to Make Knives" by Bob Loveless (with a chapter on forging by Bill Moran) are a good starting point.
 
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James_Terrio said:
$3500 is a great starting budget! Spend the first $10 on a membership here so you can use the search function. :) Read the "sticky" threads. Maybe start with some kit blades to get used to assembling handles. Build or buy a good solid bench. Invest in your health! Get a respirator and goggles or face-shield. First power tool? Drill press, drill press, or drill press. I promise you won't regret it. Buy some books* and read the print off the pages. Follow AcridSaint's advice if you can find a local maker.

*"$50 Knife Shop" by Wayne Goddard and "How to Make Knives" by Bob Loveless (with a chapter on forging by Bill Moran) are a good starting point.
Click to expand...

Thats great thanks, was about to ask which books to read up. Hope they still available. Really guys thanks for sharing. I will be saving this thread for future reference...

In the process of tryin to get BF Membership
 
Wonder of Knifemaking is pretty good too. Might want to fill out your profile so people know where you live, there might be a maker nearby that you could visit.
 
Do not invest twice by buying low quality tools.
Human being cannot work with bare hands but with proper tools.
I wasted a lot of investment for the lessons before.
 
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