This could get expensive.

[FerretWYO]

For a. Long time I have been a lurker here on your forum. I am always amazed at the art you guys create. Because of that I have always wanted to learn. I read and try to absorb everything I can from the amazing talent here.  A couple weeks ago I whipped up this ugly little thing to make working on a buffalo cape a little easier.

 

That led to me wondering what else I could make. So I cut up a piece of saw blade and made a capper.
 

 

Then I had a bunch of pieces of steel and decided to try some more. This is what I came up with.

 

 


 

I learned some valuable things. First a four in grinder, file and a Dremel can do the job but it's tough. I did borrow a bench grinder for the profiles which helped.

If it was not for the advice here heat treating would have been tough. It's still not perfect but close.

I see this as an addiction that could cost me a fortune and I blame Doug, Lin, Jeff and Karl.    

[Lin Rhea]

I'm real pleased that you did not hold back Randy. For your first taste of knife making, you did very good. I encourage you to continue to refine your process and add equipment as you find the need and opportunity. You will certainly have all the help you can stand right here on TG. Bravo!

I also want to express appreciation for you as an administrator, along with Terry and the rest who are allowing this sub forum to be here. I really think that the making of knives is a natural inclusion to the list of necessary equipment of the traditional outdoorsman.

You guys have given us a place to express ourselves by way of our craft. It's certainly not all about the money, even though some of us do sell our work. I see great bow makers sharing tips and tricks on several levels with no expectation of monetary return. I applaud that kind of thinking and I applaud all here on the knife forum who follow that example.

[kbaknife]

From a long time friend of mine, Jerry Rados:
"Knife making is a life time of buying tools.
Then you die."

[akaboomer]

Thats great. I am glad to see you giving it a go, and with successes. You could become very addicted. But I for one see that as a good thing. Especially when you find the value of the task can outweigh the value of the expense.  Thanks for sharing. Chris

[Steve Nuckels]

Wow, very nice work, and an interesting progression from the "Ooloo" to your hunters in such a short time.  Fun stuff

BTW saw your profile, that Elk is off the chart!

Steve
---------
Potomac Forge
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation
ABS

[tippit]

Randy,
Yep, it would have been cheaper to buy one of Lin's top of the line blades...but then again it certainly is a fun journey.  Good start & welcome to the addiction! tippit

[FerretWYO]

And yet I will still add handy from both of you to my collection before I get any good at this:-)

[cacciatore]

Randy good begining,when you'll be as good as the other guys here remember your friend! LOL

[tomsm44]

As someone who is only a little farther along than you in regards to time invested and equipment purchased, I can tell you that it is indeed expensive.  Especially if you are doing like me and either giving them away or 'selling' them for cost of materials.  If you decide to start getting some better equipment (belt grinder, forge, etc.) don't get discouraged by the prices.  That happened to me at first, then I started looking around online and found that it is relatively simple and much cheaper to build a lot of it yourself.  I've done a grinder ($500 vs $1200+ for a commercial one)  small propane forge ($125 vs $300+ for a similar size) and am using about a 75-100# block of scrap steel for an anvil (free vs $375+ for an actual anvil).  So for $625, I've got tools to do what would cost almost $2000 to buy commercially.  The professional ones would probably work better for a high production level but my setup works great for a hobbyist.

[Doug Campbell]

       :D

[Matty]

[chinook907]

   

[Izzy]

Your on a tear MR, really cool.