[.41 magnum man]

I am thinking about trying my hand at knife making, but for a start I may just purchase a knife blank and put my own custom handle on it.

Anyone else do that, or make knives from scratch? Do you have any words of advice, or good knife making supply stores you would recommend?

[qbpc]

My brother makes them from scratch. I have a few he has made. Files, Leaf Springs make good steel for knives.
BB

[hopkin]

I've made a knife from a kit and a couple of bad ones from scratch with the help of a friend.

I'd suggest starting off with a blank or even a kit, where you get a blade, block of wood and other bits so you can glue/shape your own handle. I'm glad I tried the kit first as it was a fun introduction. To me a custom handle is way more important than a custom blade as I would struggle to make one better the commercial blanks.

Making a blade from scratch isn't that hard but takes a few tries to get all the steps right. I used an old steel sawblade (a huge one for wood) and a welding torch to cut out the shape I wanted. Once I had ground the knife I liked, I used the welding torch to temper the steel. It can be done as simply as that, although I botched the tempering on a few blades before I got the whole heating & cooling bit right. The blade was still pretty bad, though.

One day I'll try again, when the tiny burns on my arms have disappeared.

[rcmodel]

Yep!
I have probably made over 200 in the last 40 years. Started out making knives for friends on the way to Vietnam. Then, started selling them.
That went real good until I finally got burnt out doing it.

Started up again about 6 years ago, but have once again stopped due to stiff joints in my hands.
It takes an awful lot of hand sanding and shaping and it hurts too much nowadays!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/Buck19c1.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/Sewing3.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/LeVengeur2.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/rosewood.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/Knife11.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/Knife10.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/KNife9.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/Knife8.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/Knife7.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/Knife6.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/Knife3.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/Knife2.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/Knife1.jpg

I would suggest you start out with remodeling something like a Buck 119, or other good blade. (#1 and third from bottom is a remodeled Buck 119)

Your initial investment in a belt grinder big enough to grind from bar stock or files is huge! Not to mention the other power equipment you will need or want to get.

You can make a brass guard & shape a handle with basic power tools. (Drill, Dremel, files, etc.)

Here is a good place to get supplies:
http://www.texasknife.com/

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[hso]

knifekits.com is a good place to start.

[CWL]

www.ragweedforge.com for Scandinavian blades and parts.

[Valkman]

I've been making them since 1/05 and just love it. I never did do a kit - I want to make the whole thing so I started with this tutorial: http://hossom.com/tutorial/jonesy/

Once I made that one I bought a Grizzly grinder and made more, then got a good deal on a barely used Bader B3 grinder with attachments and that's what I use now. I have 2 2"x72" grinders, a 9" disc grinder, a 4"x36" grinder and a 1"x30" grinder to go with the Grizzly Mill, bandsaws and drill presses. Once you start you never stop! :)

I'd buy some O1 tool steel from www.toolanddie.com - they have great service and it's cheap. Heat treat with a MAPP gas torch and quench in vegetable or peanut oil. Easy. :D

[Colt46]

Knifekits.com is a good outfit. I prefer scandinavian types and use brisa.fi
Shipping from Finland can get damned expensive though.

[Starter52]

rcmodel, that knife in your first picture is beautiful. I wish I had the skill and time for knifebuilding.

[GunTech]

I've been making knives off and on for about 20 years. Starting with a blade and doing the finish work is a great way to get started. janz supplu is a good place to start.

If you want to make you own blades, O-1 is a great steel to start with. Check with local steel suppliers, you can often find ground flats, and this is the easiest way to start.

I recommend the book "how to make knives" as a great starting place.

If you want to get serious about it, you will eventually need a good belt grinder, but you can turn out a first class knife with nothing more than files, sandpaper and a hand torch.

http://www.genteelsteel.com/media/fighter.jpg

http://guntech.com/media/kmg1.jpg

http://guntech.com/media/kmg2.jpg

[.41 magnum man]

Thanks for the information, guys. RC, and Gun Tech, those are some great looking knives. Thanks for sharing those pictures.

[Pax Jordana]

I'm a big fan of stabby things, but have not made a de facto 'knife'. My area of interest has always been more in the 'shiv' department, small sharpened things that can be hidden and used for stabby purposes.

I started out like learning to whittle - get some wood, or soap, or even softish plastic and put a point on it.. then try for an edge. In my daydreams, I have a bench grinder and actually finish projects :D

RCmodel, could you explain for the viewers at home how the lanyard on your last pic works? What's tied in where?