What's next, more tools or materials?

T

tr3yanderson

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Mar 6, 2017
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Yay for me...the wife was so kind to get me a drill press and an angle grinder for my birthday. So now I have an angle grinder for cutting out blanks, drill press for holes, and a 1x30 sander for grinding and beveling. I use a two brick forge for heat treating. I'm very new to this (only completed two knives so far), so my question is what tools should I save up for next? or should I just use the very limited funds I have to just buy more materials and consumables?

Thanks,
 
With a 1x30, you'll need belts pretty often. IMO the next thing to do is work toward a better grinder. If you're two knives in, with limited equipment, don't shoot too high when it comes to materials. Use quality, but no need for walrus ivory or whatever until you gain some skills/experience.
 
I would buy lots of good belts...and whatever specialized hand tools / files/ sanding backers etc you end up needing to keep improving your process
 
A granite plate with some sandpaper tacked down is nice for hand lapping scales and tangs. Get rid of those glue lines! Some sort of small wheel is nice for inside curves too.

Probably a carbide plunge guide.
 
valknut said:
Make some knives man! Go to AKS get a couple of sticks of 80crv2, a sheet of g10, and some pins.
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Yeah I'm thinking I just need to get some more materials and belts and get in the garage and make a bunch more knives. This forum is great but it can also have it's downside, the more I read what others are doing I think oh I NEED that first. I need a band-saw before I can move on or I need to acid etch a logo, or I need mosaic pins, or man that burl looks freakin' awesome, I need some of that. Hamons...Yes please; need some of that in my life.

Salt pots, what the heck or those? Don't know and don't care but need it. Oh Damascus, where to begin; that means I need an anvil and some hammers and a better forge...heck I need a house with a shop, must notify the wife. Man, I don't know how you all tame this beast!!!!

Okay, but seriously it really is hard to to make another "basic" knife when I'm already dreaming of my dream knives I want to make. but obviously, I need to get out and just crank out a bunch for more practice. I have several friends and family that would love a new knife, so that'll be my goal the next few months.
 
Maelstrom78 said:
A granite plate with some sandpaper tacked down is nice for hand lapping scales and tangs. Get rid of those glue lines! Some sort of small wheel is nice for inside curves too.

Probably a carbide plunge guide.
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Granite plate, that's a good idea. I have a father-in-law who works in counter tops; maybe he would have some scraps. Thanks
 
What are some of the little tools/items that you all find very useful that other new makers like myself may not be aware of? Things like scribes, layout dye, file guides,...etc.
 
In your situation and degree of experience, I would suggest you get:
A bunch of belts and sandpaper. Belts in 80 grit, 120, 220. Paper in 220, 400, 600.
A couple bars of 80CrV - 24X1.25 X.125" and 24X1.5X.125"
A 12X12X1/4" sheet of black canvas Micarta. ( I would stay away from G-10 and carbon fiber until you have very good dust recovery)
If you still have a few bucks to spare, get a dozen 1/4" Corby bolts and the matching counter-bore. They make handles simpler and rock solid.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
If you still have a few bucks to spare, get a dozen 1/4" Corby bolts and the matching counter-bore. They make handles simpler and rock solid.
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+1 on the Corby bolts- they have made glue ups and handle construction so much faster, easier, and stronger. Definitely recommended. Pop's knifemaker supply has inexpensive bolts and counterbores- I wouldn't get them anywhere else.

http://popsupply.bizhosting.com/handle_screws.html
http://popsupply.bizhosting.com/counterbore_tools.html

Good files are really nice too. New-old stock is great, from back when they were made right.

-Tanner
 
i would try the jantz supply $49 hardened file guide before buying an expensive carbide one, just in case you accidentally scuff up the faces too much.
 
Thanks for all the replies, just ordered a couple sheets of micarta, and some more belts. I've got enough 1084 from Aldo to get working on 7 or 8 knives. I like those Corby bolts, once I'm out of my pin material I think I'll go that route. I've got a few designs that I've come up with that I like a lot. though I may just make a bunch in one design and try different variations to see what I like best.

The heat down here in Texas lately has kept me out of the garage to do any work. but I'll throw I couple box fans out there and I should be good to go.
 
Have you looked at making a filing jig aka Gough jig? This will assist on filing bevels by hand vs using the 1x30.

From my own experience, a nice Nicholson file works and good technique work way better and saves more money than using the 1x30. For rough grinding at least.

Save the 1x30 for handle shaping.
 
Before I had a grinder that let me use a small wheel attachment a cheapo Dremel took me very far in profiling finger choils and sanding areas my 1x30 couldn't fit. The Dremel is relatively cheap nowadays but their attachments are not so look to Preferred Abrasives for any sanding drums or cutoff discs. I still use my Dremel for the inside rings of my multi tools and karambits.
 
A 1 x 30 belt is less that one 9 x 11” sheet of sandpaper ... So I would save up your money to get a 2 x 72” Belt Grinder! Have Fun, Stay Safe!
 
Rhinoknives1 said:
A 1 x 30 belt is less that one 9 x 11” sheet of sandpaper ... So I would save up your money to get a 2 x 72” Belt Grinder! Have Fun, Stay Safe!
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Interesting, never realized that. I was just going to save for a 2 x 42 belt grinder, but maybe I should just wait to save up for a 2x72. Thanks
 
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