Who here makes knives by hand

M

Mr.Wrong

Joined
Aug 5, 2004
Messages
197
I have a new respect for those who make knives with such primitive tools ie. files, half decent bench grinder, Rail road track anvil, and a 4# hammer. To those who do...... My achy :eek: hand salutes you.
 
I think you'd have a hard time finding a knifemaker that hasn't done it that way, at least the first time. After one or two most people decide that files suck and buy some tools :D
 
I'm one that hasn't but I admit I learned better before by doing it that way on rifle stocks. The hardest way is not always the best way. Sorry but true.

RL
 
im the same way all my knives are made with only a hacksaw files and sandpaper the only time i use a power tool is a drill press when i have to drill holes for handles or to shape pins.

BROOKSKNIVES.canada
 
Sometimes doing things with hand tools will give people the opportunity to succeed at something that they would have never thought possible any other way. Not everyone can afford to jump in with thousands of dollars to invest in something that they have no idea they will want to pursue at a higher level. I know this to be true because it's the only way that I have ever finished a knife. Some day I will have a real shop, but for now, I'm doing just fine with what I've got.
If anyone wants to learn the importance of being able to control a file like it's an extension of themselves just go work for the likes of Chris Reeve for a few months. A very large percentage of their one piece line of knives have a substantial amount of file work done to them prior to leaving the shop. When I was there, he had us filing a 2" square out of 1/4" S30V. It and to be within a few 10,000ths of perfect in every direction. Even though I had years of experience hand filing knives of my own design, I learned a lot with that exercise. After working with the folks at CRK, I have a tremendous amount of respect for the ability of those guys and gals.
I guess what it all boils down to with me is that every experience has the potential of teaching us something new no matter the amount of knowledge we have going into the new experience. Whatever knowledge we come out with be it good or bad has the potential of being invaluable in the future.

Is it possible to be over-knowledgeable in the fundamentals? I don't think so, but everyone has their own opinion.

Rick
 
Mr. Wrong you have a lot to look forward to, calluses, burnt fingers, burn holes in your shirt and probably a little blood here and there. ;)
Oh yah, and a really cool knife that you made yourself !!!! :D

Joe Foster
 
My first knives were made with the only power tool being a 1/4" B&D hand drill (metal cased).You will learn a lot doing it the hard way.You will also decide what equipment you need the most.The good news is that it is hard for anyone to file their thumb tip off accidentally(unlike a screaming 36 grit belt).Keep at it,and let us see the pics when done.
 
All I have is a half finish knife and a nasty burn :eek: .... but hey making a knife is better than............ :confused: .............. well it just darn relaxing :D.
 
There's a great deal to be learned from the process of making a knife with simple tools. All thsi information is processed by the brain of the maker and saved for future reference to be drawn upon later when the maker finally gets some machinery. Intimate contact with your hands is really the only way to truly put your soul into the knife. You just can't do everything by machine alone. There's so much that needs to be done by hand because you just can't buy enough machines to do it all! That said, machines are great for knifemaking, and I feel there is a saturation point in which we all will have to admit at one point that we have enough to do what we need.

Some will disagree, claiming they will be buying new tools until they die. I used to be that way until I was browsing through a catalog a couple years ago and suddenly realized I was full up on just about anything I needed, and any more was just a waste of cash.

Sorry for the rambling, heh! :D
 
For me it's all hand tools except for a cheap bench grinder to rough out the shape and a Dremel for my deep finger notches. Oh, also a drill press for pins. The rest is files, sandpaper, blood and sweat! My knives are vastly superior to anything that anyone else here makes. :)

Actually, if I had the $$$ I would at least use a real grinder. I think it's good to make a few with hand tools because it gives you a lot of patience and an understanding of how things work, but I would assume that the ability to realize a concept in a couple of hours, instead of days of work, would make the learning curve a bit faster/nicer. If I could start selling some stuff instead of trading it all away I would LOVE to upgrade to a real 72" belt grinder.
 
Chiro75 said:
For me it's all hand tools except for a cheap bench grinder to rough out the shape and a Dremel for my deep finger notches. Oh, also a drill press for pins. The rest is files, sandpaper, blood and sweat! My knives are vastly superior to anything that anyone else here makes. :)

Actually, if I had the $$$ I would at least use a real grinder. I think it's good to make a few with hand tools because it gives you a lot of patience and an understanding of how things work, but I would assume that the ability to realize a concept in a couple of hours, instead of days of work, would make the learning curve a bit faster/nicer. If I could start selling some stuff instead of trading it all away I would LOVE to upgrade to a real 72" belt grinder.
Click to expand...

I have the same tools that you do except for the dremel but thats next on the list. Heck the other day I showed my wife a kmg grider; and told her "Thats what DADDY wants" :D to make it short I would have had a better reaction from a wall :eek:.

Later PJ :D
 
Mr.Wrong said:
I have the same tools that you do except for the dremel but thats next on the list. Heck the other day I showed my wife a kmg grider; and told her "Thats what DADDY wants" :D to make it short I would have had a better reaction from a wall :eek:.

Later PJ :D
Click to expand...

LOL I get the same reactions with all of my "wants" for knifemaking...
it's hard to get them as interested in knives as yourself! ;)

I've been doing most of my stuff with files, I do have a cheapo 4x36" belt sander for doing the bevels, but I had to mod it to use 2" belts and get the clearance I needed. It's not the best to work with, but with enough swearing at it I can get it to work out 50% of the time :D
 
jhiggins said:
I used to be that way until I was browsing through a catalog a couple years ago and suddenly realized I was full up on just about anything I needed, and any more was just a waste of cash.
Click to expand...

Blasphemer!!!

Actually, I feel the same way; I just need a KMG, Evenheat Oven, Milling Machine, Metal Lathe, Rivet Press, etc., etc. :D
 
Chiro75 said:
For me it's all hand tools except for a cheap bench grinder to rough out the shape and a Dremel for my deep finger notches. Oh, also a drill press for pins. The rest is files, sandpaper, blood and sweat! My knives are vastly superior to anything that anyone else here makes. :)
.
Click to expand...

hahaha :D :p I got to get my files back out :D
 
One thing that helps is if you can sell a knife or two. My wife always thought my hobbies have been pretty stupid, but when I started being able to sell stuff for $200 or so she stopped criticizing!
 
Chiro75 said:
One thing that helps is if you can sell a knife or two. My wife always thought my hobbies have been pretty stupid, but when I started being able to sell stuff for $200 or so she stopped criticizing!
Click to expand...


Isn't it funny how money can change that very thing!

Doc
 
Chiro75 said:
One thing that helps is if you can sell a knife or two. My wife always thought my hobbies have been pretty stupid, but when I started being able to sell stuff for $200 or so she stopped criticizing!
Click to expand...


Yep after waving a few hundreds in the face that happens... Its the I told you so thing.. :D "not that Ive got to do that with a knife profit" :(

:D Laters,
PJ
 
Long before I started making knives, I started making swords. My very first sword was without any power tools at all. I did it after a move and didn't have any at the new place yet.

I made it from a cross cut saw that I drew the outline with chalk. I used a cold chisel to score the outline and then inch by inch used a pair of vise grips to break the profile out. I filed the profile, filed the edge, punched the holes for the handle scales and used two Oak sign stakes that I pulled up in the road, for a handle. I cut it with a hand saw, filed the contours and sanded it.

I still have that ugly thing and it still cuts like crazy. Doesn't hold and edge long but takes a scary sharp one. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top