Help a First time Knife Maker

[UrbanDeerSlayer]

Im a fairly handy guy and have some basic tools, a bench grinder, disc grinder, table belt sander, etc.  I want to make a basic hunting knife, nothing too fancy at first. I've read alot of stuff but I'm not sure where to start so I have a few questions:

1. Should my first knife be a forge or stock removal?
2. What kind of steel is easiest to work with? And should i get it pre-annealed? I don't have a forge but I'm sure i could rig something up.

Those are my primary concerns, any and all other input is welcome. Thanks.

[KHALVERSON]

sounds like ya got the tools to do a dandy stock removal knife
build a 1 brick forge and run it with a propane torch  ill be ok for heat treats
id also get some 1084 steel annealed stock and some mineral oil to quench it in

most important of all HAVE FUN and be sure to post some pictures
Kevin

[tomsm44]

It sounds like you have everything you need for a stock removal blade.  If you don't want to mess with a forge right now, I've heard that you can have your blades professionally heat treated for around $15 or so.  You can always build a forge once you decide if you are interested in building more knives.  I heat treated my first few knives with a torch, but its hard to be consistent that way.  I'm getting ready to build a small propane forge.  I've looked around and think I can do it for less than $150.  Search online for "ceramic brick forge" and "homemade forge burner".  You'll find a lot of info on building them.  That's the type I'm doing, but there are other types that are probably better, but cost more to build.  The single brick forge Kevin mentioned would be even cheaper and would work great for simple heat treating as he said, but would limit you on size.  The larger one like I'm planning to build would probably be better for forging blades.  

I'm no expert, but I've done a fair amount of research getting started myself in the last year and this is some of what I've picked up along the way. Hope it is helpful and good luck.

[tomsm44]

By the way, if anyone with more experience sees something I'm mistaken about, please correct me.  I don't want to give bad advice and I hope I'm not following bad advice myself.

[gudspelr]

You could also start with a kit knife, too. Another option would be to try and find someone in your area that makes knives. I made a 6 hour road trip to a generous guy's house and made my first knife over a weekend. That can help you decide if you're interested enough to invest in a forge or other tools.

You could certainly make a stock removal knife-get the steel in an annealed (soft) state, it goes a lot easier on your tools. I started forging, then used files since I didn't have a belt grinder. Takes some elbow grease, but I learned a lot and wouldn't trade it.  As for a forge, if you end up building one, I'd build a larger one than the 1-brick type. Once you've decided you'd like the ability to forge, I think it's worth the extra effort and money to build one that will give you a lot more options as your forging progresses. Just my 2 cents   .

Whatever you decide, have fun and be prepared for a new but wonderful addiction. Good luck and post pics.

Jeremy

[UrbanDeerSlayer]

Thinking about getting some 1084 annealled stock, and do a stock removal.  I'll figure out some way to heat treat the blade. THanks so far.

[akaboomer]

Do you have a knife sketched or a pattern you like?  Perhaps if you gave us some specs as to what your wanting to make we can give more advise.  The tools you have will work. If you would l like to ask questions as you go I am sure we can get you answers that will work.

Chris

[gudspelr]

1084 is a great steel and you can use warm canola oil to quench it. Profile the knife, get your bevels/plunge lines in there and leave it a bit thick for the quench (some say the edge about the thickness of a nickel, others a dime). You'll just need to bring the knife up to temp evenly, then quench in your oil and then into the oven to temper. Finish grinding it after that to final thickness, put on handle, etc, and sharpen. I look forward to hearing how it goes and seeing what you come up with. And as said above, ask questions as they come up and some of the great makers on here will walk you through it all.

Jeremy

[UrbanDeerSlayer]

Thanks. I have to obtain some annealed 1084. Gonna check with some local mills to see if I can get a small piece of scrap.

[tomsm44]

Midwest Knife Maker Supply sells it by the foot.  1/8" thick x 1" wide is about $5/foot.  1.5" wide goes up to around $6/foot and so on.  They have several different thicknesses and widths.  You might be able to find steel cheaper somewhere else, i don't know, but they have just about anything you could want for building knives.  Makes it nice to be able to order everything from one location.

[jeff mccray]

Do yourself a favor and Buy two books; The 50 Dollar Knife Shop, and The Wonder of Knifemaking.  Both Authored by Wayne Goddard.


They got me started.