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Post by Predator II on Jul 9, 2004 10:06:25 GMT -5
:)Any body have suggestions/advise for a novice interested in making a few knives for personal use? I would like to make a few for myself and family. What kind of steel is easiest to get and use. What tools do I need? I would really like to do my own heat treatment and make some blades of my own style. I am not going to be able to set up a forge. Any good books for references? As you can see I have a ton of questions. Any help would be appreciated.
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Birddog6
Eight Pointer
"If it Ain't a Smokin' & a Stinkin', it's Merely an Imitation"
Posts: 161
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Post by Birddog6 on Jul 9, 2004 10:59:54 GMT -5
Just about eveone I know that heat treat their own blades use 01 steel. You can call Texas Knifemakers Supply & ask them what you can harden on your own & they can tell ya. Also a good sourse for steel & other misc. stuff ya need, including books. IMHO, the only way to grind a blade & have it look like anything is on a belt grinder or belt sander. Years ago I made them all the time on a Sears 4" x 24" belt sander. After about 500 blades they start lookin pretty good ! ha ha ! (not kidding, I have 4 ammo cans of blades I scraped because I was not satisfied with them) Now I use a Coote grinder but we are talking big bucks. The Sears will do ya fine for piddling & just making a few to say ya made them, or one from Lowes. I don't like to use files or scrap saw blades & etc. Way too much bother for a $5. piece of steel & ya never know what you are getting. I use NEW flat bar stock steel of whatever I choose & then I know I started with quality stuff. If I am gonna put 12 to 40 hrs in a knife, it will be of the best avail. materials & nothing substandard. Period. But to do a few for your own, I would call them at Texas Knifemakers, get a good piece of 01 most likely or some kind of oil harding steel, they will have a book to recommend. It is essential you drill all of your holes Before ya harden the steel. You may want to get a catalog from them first & get your order together. When ya decide on what ya want to do & assemble, give me a shout & I will help ya if I can.  If you need some handle materials they also have some avail. & I have some also if that is of interest. Here is their web site. www.texasknife.comand my web site. www.custommuzzleloaders.com |
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Post by Predator II on Jul 9, 2004 15:22:23 GMT -5
Birddog6, thanks for the info I will get a catalog. I will retire in a few years and this project is one of the things I have always wanted to do. So I thought I would get the tools and materials together ahead of time.
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