Who has made a knife using only . . .

S

Summerland

Joined
Oct 13, 1999
Messages
567
I have read a number of interesting posts about the use of CNC machines, etc. In the same vein, let me ask a different question:

how many of you have made knives using only saw, files and sandpaper (and sweat!)?

What were your feelings about the results? What did you learn from the project?
 
My brother, Phillip, and I started out making knives this way. We taught ourselves how to make knives and didn't have any equipment in the beginning. It will definitely teach patience and control. It is also a great way to build your arm and shoulder muscles.
 
Some of my earliest stabs at knife making were the saw-file-sandpaper route, It will teach you patience that's for sure. Most of my smallest mini's are done that way, kind of hard to grind a half inch blade on the 2-72 belt and get any kind of a sholder.

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old pete
 
Summerland,
I just wanted to see if I could make one with just a hacksaw, file and sandpaper. A small integral caping knife that took weeks. It was a beautiful piece, but I don't believe the knife was really worth more because of the way it was made. I sold it for about the same price I sell them now - taking 1/10th the time with a grinder.
As for me, I much prefer the grinder. There is nothing like the right tool for the job.


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I Carry My Crosses for Christ to Give any Glory to God.
centercross.com
geneosborn@centercross.com
Fort Worth, TX

 
I realize that in the end, it's only the quality of the final product that sells most knives. But to some of us crazies, How it was made and Why is almost (maybe more) important.

I am a hobbyist woodcarver. I belong to a club whose members mostly use power carving tools. I use Only hand tools, and Never use abrasives. My carvings (like knives) are judged on the final product only. But to me, the Process of making things is what is most important. I am lucky, and don't have to support myself by carving. In fact, I have never been tempted to Sell anything I have made. There is a Huge gap between the value of my work to me, and what it's worth to most other folks. I give a lot of carvings away to my friends and relatives. If I bought a knife from any of you, I would much prefer to buy your first handmade knife than the products you make with a grinder or a CNC machine. But then, I Am a more than a little odd, peculiar and strange.

It's the Process of making something that I most enjoy, and learn the most about myself and my craft, Not in the selling of the things I make. Using power tools would help speed things up, but I don't think it would improve anything but the value of my time.

Just my thoughts,

Paracelsus
 
You are a one after me own heart, as they say, I like how it is done as much as what it looks like. by the way Paracelsus, if don't know your type of guy in the carving supply side, Buddy Cabe sure is. His address is Cabe Enterprises Hattieville Ar. Phone (501)-354-3581. A heck of a good supplier of woods and grinding supplies for us knife makers also.

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old pete
 
I've made a couple of blades using only the forge, files and sandpaper. There wasn't a need for a saw. They haven't been my prettiest blades, and they took forever, but you can be awful proud of a blade that you didn't use any electricity on.

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Oz

"Never try to teach a pig to sing.
It's a waste of time and it annoys the pig."
-Lazarus Long
Check out my egostistical homepage!
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/
 
if that y2k thing happens (hopefully it won't) then we'll all be using files, forges, and hand finishing.
 
I made probably my first 50 knives by hand from files. I annealed them with a charcoal fire and electric fan, heat treated them that way too. I did so much hand work I got to be one heck of an arm wrestler. But I learned the value of using power tools, the only power tool I had then was an electric drill. I think making knives that way is the purest form of our craft,I know most of the forgers might think differently. It's just that the pride you get from making knives like that is much greater, even though the results obtained from power tools is faster and quite often better. But I guess I did OK, I sold every one I made, a lot of my older customers still talk about those file knives.

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Jake Evans Member of the HORDE, SKULL BASHER, Wielder of the Mighty Blade Soul Stealer
 
I made a few knives this way. They weren't terrible but, they weren't things of beauty either. Prior to doing this, I had wondered why makers charged so much for a fixed blade knife. Especially the ones with no handles attatched. After I made a few this way, it made me appreciate the work done by profeesionals.

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Paranoia is only smart thinking
when everyone is out to get you.


 
I made three of four this way and I also gained new respect for custom knives and the quality of knives that are out there. I can tell you that a belt sander changed everything - in terms of speed and accuracy.
 
folks I don't want to bring anyone down but I have visited Wolf Loerchner's shop, and that is essentialy how he does make knives. He hass no belt sander, no suface grinder, no milling machine, no lathe, no power saw, or any other such techie stuff. He does have a suface plate, lots of files (a whole lot!)a lot of sand paper and sanding sticks, a tiny bench model sears drill press, a T.V., and a very full ash tray, as well as a full time job requiring three hours of commuting daily. He is also married and has children! If all this were not amazing enough, he actualy has time to make 15 to 20 knives a year with museum quality finishes. Go figure.

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I envy Wolf's patience. I have seen some incredible knives done only by file. It amazes me.

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Paranoia is only smart thinking
when everyone is out to get you.


 

That's how I started 6 years ago, and it's the way I do it today
smile.gif


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KSwinamer
 
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