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I want to make my own knife. I have questions. #138159 10/07/07 02:58 AM
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coolbeer Offline OP
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just a newbie here but I need your help.

would leaf spring steel be good enough for a blade? and if it is do I need to heat treat it?

what should I use for the handle? some kind of wood?

would a Khukari like knife be too much for a beginner?

Id like to make a big knife just not sure where to start, I am a body man by trade so Ive worked with different kinds of metal, not just sheet metal. but Ive never made my own knife.

thanks

cb

Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions. [Re: coolbeer] #138160 10/07/07 03:00 AM
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cablemonkey Offline
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Hi Coolbeer,

I'm reading a book called "Step-by-step Knifemaking, You Can Do It!" by David Boye that I got from the library.

So far, it's pretty good. You might also want to look up a knifemaker in your area and see if you can go over and take a look at his shop and ask a bunch of questions, etc. Bringing a bribe usually makes this go smoother <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Good luck and welcome to the yard.

-C.

Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: cablemonkey] #138161 10/07/07 03:13 AM
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diceman Offline
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Lots of knifemakers are using spring steel lately with great results.

I'm not a knifemaker, and don't know much...

My favorite handle material is Micarta (linen or canvas and resin, compressed - great stuff).


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Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: diceman] #138162 10/07/07 03:57 AM
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Ironballs Offline
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1. Leaf spring steal is just fine... My Himilayan Imports blades (and fine blades at that) are leaf spring steel.


2. You would have to break the heat treat on it... (heating is and hammering is out... or buy a sheet at the thickness you desire...

3. Heat treatment is the easy part... harden/quench in water, oil(look out for fire) or clay?

Personally, oil sounds cool, but clay give the hammon


Khukri may be ambitious for a first blade... but you may as well start with something... wost case you learn and wasted $2 in material, and some time...


"All your Busse are belong to us" "All your Scrp Yard Knife are belong to us" No Regrets!
Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: Ironballs] #138163 10/07/07 05:13 AM
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coolbeer Offline OP
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thanks for the quick replies I gonna try to start on it tomorrow, if Im not too hungover

Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: coolbeer] #138164 10/07/07 05:26 AM
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WhichDawg Offline
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welcome coolbeer, good luck with the knife making! I hope it turns out great <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Here's a link to a forum that has tons of knife makers who give tons of advice, just scroll though each post (pages of them) to find what your looking for and get tips and see people learning, teaching, sharing:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=741


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Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: WhichDawg] #138165 10/07/07 02:01 PM
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ksjumpmd Offline
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Welcome to the Yard Coolbeer. Hope your blade turns out well!


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Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: ksjumpmd] #138166 10/07/07 04:59 PM
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Rainwalker Offline
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Welcome to the Yard, Coolbeer! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Knifemaking is fun, addictive, and a lot of hard work. There's a lot of good info out there if you can find it. I was trying to remember a link, but I can't seam to remember it right now, I'll have to look for it... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Spring steel is great stuff, especially to practice with... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Ron Hood has and interesting DVD on knifemaking.


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Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: Rainwalker] #138167 10/07/07 11:09 PM
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eatingmuchface Offline
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hmm. i think it'll do fine. its pretty good stuff to use i guess (not that i know anything) at 45 hrc. maybe this will help a little. (parts 2,3 and 4 are there too) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ysKd1cswlo


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Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: eatingmuchface] #138168 10/07/07 11:18 PM
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J33psr0ck Offline
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I have done 2 stock removal blades. For the first couple of knives I used A2 bar stock from a local steel company. I used stock removal with a hack saw, files and a belt sander. I have not HT'ed them yet. The books suggested are probably the best way to go for information gathering.


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Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: J33psr0ck] #138169 10/08/07 12:20 PM
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DMelone Offline
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Welcome to the Yard Coolbeer!!!! I hope it goes well!


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Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: DMelone] #138170 10/09/07 01:48 AM
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coolbeer Offline OP
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so i got sidetracked and didnt start yet <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> went on a ride on my bike instead, it was too nice outside not to<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

on more question will I be able to polish the blade if I make it out of spring steel?

Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: coolbeer] #138171 10/11/07 01:34 AM
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Andy Wayne Offline
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Quote
one more question will I be able to polish the blade if I make it out of spring steel?

Yeah, you can polish it just fine. Here’s some more reading material for ya. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Absolute Cheapskate Way to Start Making Knives

The Shade Tree Knife Mechanic

Tutorial Blade

How to Make Knives

Homemade "Micarta" Scales

Kydex Sheath Tutorial


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Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: coolbeer] #752433 04/26/13 12:18 AM
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Angry*Daddy*Bird Offline
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Some good reading on hear.


WTB ~Swamp Warden~
Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: coolbeer] #752493 04/26/13 04:03 AM
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t1m0 Offline
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Thanks for finding this! Good info here!


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Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: coolbeer] #752498 04/26/13 05:12 AM
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elof_alv Offline
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You're best off doing some serious reading beforehand or finding a maker who would give you some 'training'.
I went to a 'hammer in' at a workshop of one of local makers, was heaps of fun and went with a stock removal method, there were others who forged theirs.
This is what I made so far
[Linked Image from i1231.photobucket.com]
I guess inspiration is obvious...
I'm still not sure if I'll sand it more or just stonewash as is.
Need to make me some micarta! grin
And it's made from spring steel too!

Last edited by elof_alv; 04/26/13 05:13 AM.

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Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: coolbeer] #752501 04/26/13 06:43 AM
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t1m0 Offline
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Nice work!


JYD #134 "Well opinions are like @$$holes, everybody has one." - Clint Eastwood
Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: coolbeer] #752949 04/27/13 12:53 PM
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Psyop Offline
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Wow you made a RS laugh


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Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: coolbeer] #752992 04/27/13 07:28 PM
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From the depths!!!


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Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: Jroden5446] #753670 05/02/13 03:45 AM
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Jared sure makes some nice handles! wink


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Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: coolbeer] #753672 05/02/13 03:46 AM
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That he does. Hummmmm I wonder how the Tali-Whacker would look with a nice set of Rams Horn Scales?


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Re: I want to make my own knife. I have questions [Re: SkunkHunter] #753673 05/02/13 03:46 AM
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In a word......GREAT!!! grin


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