When designing a knife

C

CShepherd

Joined
Feb 27, 2006
Messages
1,085
Hello all,

I'm new to this knifemaking, in fact getting ready to heat treat my first blade on Saturday from a Nicholson file. So far it's going pretty well for my first knife. I'll post some pics soon.

My question is about when designing a new knife, do you design a knife based on the abilities of the equipment you have or do you just design independent of that.

For example, when designing finger grooves, I have to consider that I have the ability to grind and sand to a certain diameter based on the limited equipment I have. Also my forge is capable of heating a blade up to 6" so I dont' really design knife blades any longer than that.

I'm just curious how different makers go about it.

Thanks,

Charles
 
You need to design to what your equipment is capable of, unless you know someone who has equipment you can use. It will be hard to ht a blade if it doesn't fit your forge. More equipment will come with time.
 
you could send the blade to be heat treated. other issue are limited to what equipment you have.
 
Design what you want,Then if you think you can make it now go for it.Otherwise keep designing and save the designs untill you feel you can make it.

Finger grooves can be carved in with a round rasp...A blade can be heat treated by passing through the forge,just keep moving it back and forth,with some practice you can do a big blade in your little forge...Just experiment with the equipment you have and push it to give you all it can.

Bruce
 
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