I want to make my own knife. I have questions.

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

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.

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).

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...

thanks for the quick replies I gonna try to start on it tomorrow, if Im not too hungover

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

Welcome to the Yard Coolbeer. Hope your blade turns out well!

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.

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

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.

Welcome to the Yard Coolbeer!!!! I hope it goes well!

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?

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

Some good reading on hear.

Thanks for finding this! Good info here!

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

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!
And it's made from spring steel too!

Nice work!

Wow you made a RS

From the depths!!!

Jared sure makes some nice handles!

That he does. Hummmmm I wonder how the Tali-Whacker would look with a nice set of Rams Horn Scales?

In a word......GREAT!!!