newbie question...

[Cottonmouth]

Watching the build-a-longs, and seeing the knives you guys make has made me wonder.  I'm not sure I have the nerve to use any kind of heat though.  Can I build a knife by the material reduction method from a file or saw blade without any kind of heat treating?  

AC

[KHALVERSON]

cottonmouth
you will need to draw the steel back to make it tougher and less brittle (temper) that can be done in a kitchen oven
then comes the problem of drilling holes in the steel for the pins if you can get ahold of some carbide drills  or have a friend that had a milling machine holes can be put in with carbide end mills
also be carfull when grinding hard steel if you get it to hot it will get soft and not hold a good edge  if it get uncomfortable to hold on to with your bare hands dip in water
i hope this helps
kevin

[ryecon]

you can do it but its going to be difficult
go ahead and try the anneling and heattreating its fun playin with fire there is all kinds of refrence on it i just dont think stock reduction without heattreating will work just my opinon
 Scott

[Cottonmouth]

Thanks for the advice.  I'll keep lurking and learning till I want to tackle it, then.

Ac

[imskippy]

Why not try your hand at build some knives from pre made blanks. It's a good place to start that doesn't require a whole lot of tools and you get awesome results. Skippy

[Todd Robbins]

Skippy's idea is a good one, to help you get started.  I was just looking at the Jantz Supply online catalog and was amazed by the amount of blade blanks they offer.  Many other supply companies offer premade blanks, as well.  The blades are complete, but you do all the work on the handle.

You might also consider getting some steel and making your blade, then sending it to a professional heat treater.  There are several of those that do a great job.

[OconeeDan]

Cottonmouth, you sure can.  But they will not be as good as a blade that has been properly tempered.
My first knives I ground out with a standard 6" bench grinder, and used old files. Kept cool by dipping in bowl of water. Polished with wet sandpaper and steel wool.  A LOT of work.
Those knives, I never had one chip or break, and they worked well.  But I never tried to hack through a 2x4 or pry against bone.
SO....YES.  You can get started without all the heat treating and tempering fuss.
There are a lot of good knifemakers here (actually superb) that go into a lot of detail, in every way imaginable.  
Don't get worried or bogged down in these little details on your first knife or several.  Just make one and go use it!
Dan