I am going to start making knives but, before I do, I thought I would come here and seek some advice from others that tread before me. I plan to start my new hobby with a couple of kit knives and then jump off into the deep end by making blades from old files and scrap metal. I can also make scales from scratch. Before I buy an anvil, forge, and other equipment, I'd thought I would see if anyone is getting out of the business and wanted to sell some to me. Who knows, I might even become an Associate Sponsor if this works out, though I am not really doing this to make money. Thank you in advance for any ideas or suggestions.
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Find the book “the $50 knife shop” - some good ideas to get started.
My “anvils” are half of a 50# dumbbell and a piece of railroad track.
I have used a one brick forge to make several blades.
a good vise, a sturdy work bench and quality files are musty haves. -
Thank you, good advice. I do have that book coming along with: Custom Knifemaking: 10 Projects from a Master Craftsman, Step-By-Step Knifemaking: You Can Do It!, andOriginally posted by mikebyrge View Post, 4 books total.Sharpening and Knife Making
Do you like making knives?Comment
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Many good videos on YouTube, but a lot of it depends on what kind of equipment/machinery you have. Everyone does things a little different, just gotta find what works for you and your equipment. I would caution you against scrap metal as you may not be able to harden it. When I started, 1084 was what was suggested to me for a beginner knife steel. Pretty cheap, takes a good edge and you can heat treat it yourself with good results in a small forge. I don’t forge, I’m a stock removal guy that makes pocketknives, but if ya get into it, I suggest ya find someone near you that would let you come watch and ask questions. I was very fortunate to have some great teachers and they can take years off your learning curve
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Awesome piece. If you don't mind me asking, what is the material of the inlaid sword. Silver? Sterling silver?Originally posted by coachk View PostMany good videos on YouTube, but a lot of it depends on what kind of equipment/machinery you have. Everyone does things a little different, just gotta find what works for you and your equipment. I would caution you against scrap metal as you may not be able to harden it. When I started, 1084 was what was suggested to me for a beginner knife steel. Pretty cheap, takes a good edge and you can heat treat it yourself with good results in a small forge. I don’t forge, I’m a stock removal guy that makes pocketknives, but if ya get into it, I suggest ya find someone near you that would let you come watch and ask questions. I was very fortunate to have some great teachers and they can take years off your learning curve
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Where do you live? I'm in DFW area and have a lot of stuff left over for knife making I could fix you up with.
I built my own forges and they are not hard to do. Ive even used a propane brush burner from Harvard freight and fire brick to create a makeshift forge.
You most important piece of equipment will be your belt grinder. These can set you back a few grand for a good one. Mine came from https://reederproducts.com/ A good supply of grinder belts which don't last long is a pretty good expense.
Alpha Knife supply is a good place to get steel as well as New Jersey Steel Baron.
If you are forging you need a good anvil. One like farriers use is good. at least 125lb with good rebound.
Good hammers too. You can get good hammers at a farriers supply.
For doing your own scales you need a vaccuum chamber and pump and some cactus juice to stabilize the wood or just use Micarta or G10 scales.
You need an electric oven for curing the scales and for tempering the steel blades
For quenching you need a good deep tank that holds about 5 gallons. I use a steel ammo box for 20mm cannon shells. You can find those at a military surplus store.
A drill press and some good drill bits
Electric file sander and belts for shaping.
Lots and lots or file belts. Scotch-Brite Surface Conditioning Belts for finishing.
You will need a shop area to work in and good ventilation and a way to catch dust and metal shavings.
After a few thousand knives you will come up with your own signature blade design.
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Old rusty file and farriers rasps are good knife steel. Modern files and rasps are not. They are surfaced hardened and lose this when heated and forged. They will not reharden very good with a simple quench like the old stuff made from W2 or W1 tool steel. Any carbon steel 1095, 1084 will make a decent knife. I used mostly 80CRV2 and 26C3. They heat treat just like 1095 and 1084. Easy to grind and easy to work and hold an edge really good. The 26c3 will polish to a mirror shine and resist rust and tarnish pretty good.Comment
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Update when you start!Comment
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Go spend time watching and learning from someone that knows. When I started my friend and knife maker Troy Howard started me on my journey. Thousands of dollars later I had all kinds of equipment. Nowadays time to do it is my biggest hurdle. Go slow start small and start grinding away. My best advice is buy a decent grinder. Otherwise you could be fighting more than a learning curve.Comment
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That is an awesome knife. Just beautiful. And, thank you for the advice, I am looking forward to this. I'm waiting on setting up my work area, maybe sometime after 7/4.Originally posted by muzzlebrake View PostWhere do you live? I'm in DFW area and have a lot of stuff left over for knife making I could fix you up with.
I built my own forges and they are not hard to do. Ive even used a propane brush burner from Harvard freight and fire brick to create a makeshift forge.
You most important piece of equipment will be your belt grinder. These can set you back a few grand for a good one. Mine came from https://reederproducts.com/ A good supply of grinder belts which don't last long is a pretty good expense.
Alpha Knife supply is a good place to get steel as well as New Jersey Steel Baron.
If you are forging you need a good anvil. One like farriers use is good. at least 125lb with good rebound.
Good hammers too. You can get good hammers at a farriers supply.
For doing your own scales you need a vaccuum chamber and pump and some cactus juice to stabilize the wood or just use Micarta or G10 scales.
You need an electric oven for curing the scales and for tempering the steel blades
For quenching you need a good deep tank that holds about 5 gallons. I use a steel ammo box for 20mm cannon shells. You can find those at a military surplus store.
A drill press and some good drill bits
Electric file sander and belts for shaping.
Lots and lots or file belts. Scotch-Brite Surface Conditioning Belts for finishing.
You will need a shop area to work in and good ventilation and a way to catch dust and metal shavings.
After a few thousand knives you will come up with your own signature blade design.
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Propane brush burner on the cheap video https://www.facebook.com/stephen.pan...53356594674640
Making a hatchet from a farrier's rasp.Comment
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This was my second knife I made, was a Christmas gift to my son made from his first harvested buck antler. Also made the sheath and stamped it.Comment
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This sounds like a cool hobby to get into. Good luck with it and keep us posted as to your progress.Comment
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I would suggest getting good steel vs scrap. In the long run, it's cheaper. Steel is the cheapest part of knifemaking if you arent using high end SS. If you are on FB, look up the Tx Knifemaker Guild. Lots of good folks there willing to help. Go to some hammer ins. $50 knifemaker isnt a bad book, but lot of the info is outdated. Usually a decent amount of used stuff for sale as well in the forums. If you are in the DFW area, welcome to come by my placeComment
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