Why do YOU make knives? First post/knife

[David LaFerney]

I've been reading and absorbing the info on here for a while before I registered and I would like to say thanks for all of the helpful content that has been created here - and thanks to everyone who contributes.

If you make income from knife making that is self explanatory - otherwise why do you make knives? It can't be for all the free knives - It doesn't take long to find that out.

I have Grandsons, and there's not a lot that I can leave to them that would be meaningful - but since I have used and made tools all my life and have some ability at that I've decided that I would like to make them each a knife that they can use and carry, and pass on to their Grandson some day if it works out. So, I want to learn and figure out how to make something nice, functional, and durable. I know that won't happen on my first try...

The blade is 1/8" 1095 waiting to be heat treated, and is just mocked up at the moment. The wooden pins are dry fitted 1/4" dowels which will be replaced with brass pins - a hollow one for a lanyard. The walnut scales are shop scraps - I'm saving some desert Ironwood for the "presentation" handles.

The handle is modeled after the Spyderco Street Beat, but this knife is a bit smaller at 6 1/4" overall 2 7/8" blade.

I regretted the notch in the ricasso and the hole in the blade just about as soon as I made them - they will be omitted on ver 1.0. I do a bit of wood carving which makes me partial to short blades without much curve in the edge, and I don't really want it to look particularly like a weapon - for all kinds of reasons.

So - what do you think?

 

[Cajun Kamikaze]

Is that a chisel grind?

I make them because it is fun and hopefully one day will be a good source of supplemental income

 

[David LaFerney]

It's supposed to be more or less a "scandi" grind. I used a shop made jig to hold it at about 10 degrees from my belt sander - on both sides of the blade.

 

[Cajun Kamikaze]

First knife I made was a scandi grind. Had it Cryo treated and gave to my friend for his wedding gift. By far the sharpest knife I have made. It's 2 years old and still on its original sharpen. He uses it to cut anything and everything although I made it to be a skinner... What else would you expect from a civil construction chap...

 

[John Katt]

Ive been divorced for 12 years, and now that I don't engage in intense negotiations every 28 days, I needed something to fill that time slot ;0)

 

[Busto]

Ive been divorced for 12 years, and now that I don't engage in intense negotiations every 28 days, I needed something to fill that time slot ;0)

Bawwww hahahahahaha.....I know this feeling....so if the opportunity for another marriage arises I'm going to find a woman that hates me and just buy her a house!

 

[Grayzer86]

Personally i have always been interested in knives and enjoyed working with my hands. As a hunter and fisherman i also have a daily use for knives. I make them for the challenge that comes from learning new skills and attempting to make every single knife better than the last. The drive to constantly improve helps me stay focused and gives me an outlet for my need to create useful things as well as things that are aesthetically pleasing. I also take great pride in creating tools that others will use and hopefully pass down to the next generation to continue to be used. The final point for me is that forging and bladesmithing is a relatively rare skillset and something that in many areas seems to be a dying or dead trade.

 

[Nic.]

Ive been divorced for 12 years, and now that I don't engage in intense negotiations every 28 days, I needed something to fill that time slot ;0)

Hahaha. Take it easy on us women, there are sooo many things you guys don't have to deal with that we do!!

 

[David LaFerney]

First knife I made was a scandi grind. Had it Cryo treated and gave to my friend for his wedding gift. By far the sharpest knife I have made. It's 2 years old and still on its original sharpen. He uses it to cut anything and everything although I made it to be a skinner...

That looks like pretty fine work for a first knife. My first knife - which was pre-internet - is made out of a wonder bar (flat pry bar stock) and is UGLY as home made sin. I did use it to dress a deer once just to prove it wasn't useless.

 

[Cajun Kamikaze]

That looks like pretty fine work for a first knife. My first knife - which was pre-internet - is made out of a wonder bar (flat pry bar stock) and is UGLY as home made sin. I did use it to dress a deer once just to prove it wasn't useless.

Thank you very much! Some like it, some don't, but the recipient was very happy which makes me very happy

I've gone on to make some that were not near as clean or well thought out but I've grown strides over the last 2 years. These forums playing a huge part of that.

 

[Col Defender]

I went to a Becker gathering in Tennessee where we had the opportunity to make a knife with expert guidance. I really liked the process and have taken off on my own now. About 16 are completed and that is not counting ones that did not work out so well. Those I have around here in the shop or on my desk to open the mail and I just try to hide them when visitors are around.

I have sold some but really for now at least my goal in selling is just to cover the costs of wood, steel, sanding belts and all that stuff so I can keep doing this.


Here are some recent examples.

 

[Col Defender]

I must add - it was inconsiderate of me not to mention and thank all the BF guys whose advice I have relied on in the last year. Sorry and thanks guys!

And also as far as income, it is nice to be able to get a new shop tool now and then.

 

[John Katt]

Hahaha. Take it easy on us women, there are sooo many things you guys don't have to deal with that we do!!

OOOHHHH I was the master of taking it easy on people back in those days, you wouldn't believe how many away missions I planned for me and the boys that coincidentally coincided with the blessed event...or should I say with 4 women in the house.... The Blessed Train Wreck LOL