[Robert]

I am interested in making my own skinning knife and perhaps a "hunting" or general outdoor knife. I am a complete and total novice and the idea of a kit seems appealing to me. I have done some poking around on the web and have found some kits but was wondering if ya'll can point me in the right direction. I am good with my hands and love the thought of making something that is "me". Or would the better route be to pick a blade blank and then piece together the rest. Any and all advice would be great.

What should I be looking for as far as steel goes?

[millertyme]

Do you have the tools necessary to cut and shape a piece of steel? I know it's no Sandvik steel or AUS type, but a quality (not cheap Harbor Freight brand stuff) concrete cutting blade is a fairly high-carbon steel that you can use to get started with to get used to the practices of shaping steel. it won't stay too sharp too long without proper tempering, but that's something else you can get into later. I've made dozens of knives with Boy Scouts and church youth groups using this kind of steel and helping them cut, shape, and finish bolsters and handles. Since you've been searching around, I'm sure you come across sites like www.bladeforums.com (I think that's it). They have some very well-established bladesmiths and blacksmiths that you will certainly find helpful.

[Robert]

Was not really looking to shape, form or forge my own blade just yet. My tools are fairly limited to automotive work. Though I have inherited a good deal of various tools of all sorts. Though no one has left be a welder or plasma cutter yet. ;) I do not mind buying new, or used, tools to make the job easier and better looking. And thanks for the link. I have not been there yet but will soon.

[hso]

Gus,

If you're interested in building a knife you can get some great material up at knifekits.com. Finished and semi-finished blades, guards, bolsters, liner and handle materials galore in a "one stop shop". If you have tools for automotive work you probably have everything you need to assemble a knife from an already heat treated blade.

[Black Toe Knives]

Gus
HSO is on right track. Knifekits.com, Texasknife supply or Jantz. Jantz is my favorite. They all have great kits. Here is what is in a kit, A blade, epoxy, pins, and handle material. But if you find a blade that ain't in a kit. Don't be afraid to put things together yourself. You can make a kit knife using a coping saw, file, hand drill and sand paper. Just go have fun. I made a knife from a blank and I was hooked. HSO will tell you I have bad.

[daveinvegas]

The blades from kitknives are pretty nice blades.

Here are a couple I finished.

http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww94/daveinlasvegas/DSC00005A.jpg

http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww94/daveinlasvegas/DSC00001A.jpg

Take your time but go for it. You should know that it is addictive.

Since I finished these blades a year ago I have made a couple of knives from file blades and I'm working on a couple more knives. Plus, I just purchased a Bader grinder.

[bikerdoc]

Gus,

Start with a kit, which will lead to stock reduction, which will lead to a work bench full of projects in various stages of completion.

(Big grin) PM with any questions

Doc

[Robert]

That is some great news. Glad to know that I will not be wasting my money on a kit.

And as with bagpipes, or guns, or really anything else I do I am not only addicted but do it to the best of my abilities. This should be fun.

[eight433]

I made this set of 3 out of files with a bench grinder and a belt sander.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f363/eight433/Mobile%20Uploads/1110091622.jpg

These are my 2,3, and 4rth knife I've ever made. Now that I have the process down, I'll work on refining them a little more.

[highorder]

Here's a great thread from a while back. (http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=424025)

[7X57chilmau]

And a couple more:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=455793

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=468537

Wonder what happened to Mokwepa anyway.....

J

[CWL]

You can also buy blade blanks from Ragnar at Ragweedforge.com, plus some other knifemaking supplies if you want to make Scandinavian style knives.

I've bought a lot of materials (blades, blanks, horn, exotic woods, leather, etc.) off-of eBay to create my own knives too.

[ACP230]

SARCO Inc sells damascus blades for finishing in an ad in Shotgun News.
Several styles are available.