PDA

View Full Version : Knife-making tutorial?



Sarge47
08-16-2010, 04:20 PM
Something that I've been thinking about for awhile is a course posted here on knife-making. This would be an A to Z instructional thread that details "step by step" on how to make a knife, handles, & sheath. With all of the great knife-makers on here it shouldn't be too hard. Here's the list that needs to be talked about:

1.) EQUIPMENT. List every type of equipment needed in the knife making process and any possible substitutes.

2.) STEEL. List how many different types of steel can be used, where they might be found, how to cut the shape desired, the proper heat-treat method used, & how to "finish" the blade.

3.) HANDLE GRIPS. show how you measure, cut and mount handles, what type of wood can be used, along with the making of micarta, along with the weave that you can do using para-cord.

4.) SHEATH. Show/list how leather, plastic, nylon, etc. can be used to make a sheath along with the finished product.

While I understand that much of this has been listed before, the info is scattered around all over the site. This would be a dedicated thread on knife-making. If it's already been done then tell me. :cool2:

panch0
08-16-2010, 06:16 PM
This will be interesting. I will list what I use, but others use different. What works and what is ideal should be listed as well.
Equipment for grinding and profiling I use, a 2x72 grinder, drill press, files. There are of course less expensive grinders like the craftsman 2x42 which I still use for handle work. A heat treat oven or a home made forge for some steels.

Steels for beginners that are known knife steels are 1080 and 1084. These are the easiest for newbies with no kiln to heat treat. Simmons and Nichols files can be tempered or annealed and re heat treated to make good knives. inexpensive stainless for knives is 440c, and premium is cpm154, toolsteels are O1, D2, A2.

panch0
08-16-2010, 06:21 PM
Handle materials can be from hardwoods, stabilized woods, antler, horns, for natural materials.

Synthetic handle materials can be from Micarta, G10, G11, and CRASHCARTA

crashdive123
08-16-2010, 06:40 PM
Camp10 did a nice tutorial on sheaths recently. There have been a couple on knives and handles too. I like the idea of putting all of the learning in one place.

Sarge47
08-16-2010, 07:26 PM
Camp10 did a nice tutorial on sheaths recently. There have been a couple on knives and handles too. I like the idea of putting all of the learning in one place.Crash, is there anyway you can round up the other stuff & put it all together? That way anybody that wants to can acess the info & start a neat hobby that might bloom into a part-time career! :cool2:

crashdive123
08-16-2010, 07:33 PM
I'll see what I can find.

Winter
08-16-2010, 07:57 PM
There is many ways to skin this cat.

Where's my thinking helmet....

Erratus Animus
08-16-2010, 07:59 PM
Maybe sub categories like :stock removal, forging, low-tech

That way the information would not conflict and be kept under the right method. Otherwise it would just confuse ppl with all the different steps for each style

If its wanted I have the tutorial for how I made the filing setup that I use to make my knives.

Camp10
08-16-2010, 08:11 PM
http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad337/lewisknives/100_0282.jpg

I thought this picture might be of some interest. The bottom knife is the first knife I ever made...that's as close as I will get to it with the camera!:)

These 4 knives do a very good job showing my progress as a maker. That first knife was made with basically 2 tools, a drill press and my old 6 x 48 horizontal belt sander. There was a few files, a hacksaw and some sandpaper involved also. A good vise is a must as well. I found that sander in the barn at my sister's house years ago and she gave it to me.

The other tool I needed was a forge to do the heat treat. Like Pancho said, stick with 1075-1085 for your first knives or send them out if you dont want a big investment. My first forge was cheap and simple. I went to a local refractory and picked up a few 2600 degree refractory bricks. These are the very soft (less than 2 lbs each) bricks and not the harder, heavier ones used for woodstoves. You can easily cut them with a butterknife, hollow one out and about 3/4 of the second one. Next, drill a hole about 1" diam. into the side at about the bottom of the hole you carved out. My heat supply is a bernzomatic torch. Get one with a hose between the torch and the tank, it is much easier to deal with. here it is.

http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad337/lewisknives/100_0293.jpg

My shop is full of tools now, I've built two belt grinders and picked up a Grizzly as well. All three are 2 x 72" belt. I still use my 6 x 48 quite a bit and use a disk sander for some shaping tasks. The drill press is still in the corner (with a pile of knife steel in the picture right behind it.)

I use a dremel tool for hidden tang knives, it is on the bench if you can find it. There are 4 buffing wheels, one on the grizzly, one on it's own motor and the other two on an old grinder fixture I fitted with the buffing wheels. I have a bandsaw for wood and another for metal. There is also a tablesaw and a heat treat oven but they didnt make the pictures. There are also all kinds of files, drill bits, scribes, etc,etc.

http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad337/lewisknives/100_0288.jpg

http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad337/lewisknives/100_0287.jpg

http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad337/lewisknives/100_0286.jpg

http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad337/lewisknives/100_0285.jpg

Yes, I know the shop is a mess! But it makes other feel better about their own shop! Then there is the smithy..to dark for pictures now. It has my other forge, two anvils, a leg vise, hammers, tongs and a few magnets.

Steel...steel would take a week to cover. Saw blades work well, files, leaf springs, coil springs if you want to forge your blades...there is all kinds of choices. I have been buying drill bit stock to forge with, it is o-1 and comes in a 3' length and I buy 1/2" diam for about $10 each. I can get 52100 this same way and it is cheaper still.

Scales/grips..with epoxy and resin, only your imagination can limit your handle choices. I still like woods and antler but I use stacked leather and micarta some. I picked up some rubber mat material used to help with foot fatigue for people working on cement floors. I think it might hold together well enough to make a handle. It is very comfortable.

Sheath... I only use leather and I've showed my process in another thread. There are others here that use kydex and I hope they share their process.

I would be happy to do a start to finish knife here. This would just be my method..there are plenty of other ways to get a knife made.

Winter
08-16-2010, 08:16 PM
Your shop is lovely compared to mine.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/w6f7/019-2.jpg

Camp10
08-16-2010, 08:23 PM
I'll bet your view is much better, winter!

Winter
08-16-2010, 08:31 PM
Only till I get the rest of the walls up.

Rick
08-16-2010, 09:00 PM
I'm eyeballin' a bunch of home made tools there. That is so cool. Making stuff like that and making it work is when I'm in heaven. That's about as fun as it gets to me.

crashdive123
08-16-2010, 09:42 PM
Here are a couple of how-to threads. I'll dig up some more and edit this post with them later.

Sheath Making by Camp10

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?t=13000

Making a knife without power tools by Erratus Animus

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?t=12961