knife gurus?

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CoastieShep

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For the knife gurus out there, I could use some help please.
I'd like to buy this kit http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=2_345&products_id=1808
I've read the good reviews on these knives, but I'd just like to do my own handle. Just something to make it my own. I'd love to buy a chunk of steel and really start from scratch, but that's just not going to happen. So my question is, how do I cut out the handle to fit the square tang? I want a solid handle, not something split and glued together. I do have basic wood working skills and tools, so I'm sure that if somebody told me how to do it (pictures would be even better) I could get it done. Thanks in advance for the help gentlemen.
 
Drill it top and bottom with a bit the thickness of the tang then join the holes with a bow saw. A good drill press really helps. Here is one I just started...

stagroll.jpg
 
In addition to the method shown, you can also cut out a blank to just a little smaller than the tang of your intended knife and use it to burn in the channel. Pre drill a smaller hole to center your burning blank and you should be able to proceed fairly quickly.

Regardless of the method you choose you'll need to keep the space snug to the tang and liberally apply epoxy to secure the tang to the handle material. Do not make a round channel if you want it to stay secure over the years.
 
Well, it really was as easy as I thought it was. LOL
Didn't think about burning it, but I had thought about drilling 2 holes then cutting out the middle, but I figured that was just too easy and wouldn't work. Appreciate it gentlemen.
 
Do drill a couple of holes in the tang of your knife so the epoxy has a chance to glue "through".
 
If you really wanted to go for it and make one from scratch, I'd be happy to help you, but you have to get out here, and we have to talk details.
As for the kits, theyre nice if you just like making handles and such. Theyre awesome for guys who are great at handle work.
 
Appreciate the offer Eric, but that would be so far out of my price range, it's not even funny.
Maybe after I retire in another 6 years (military) I'll be able to build myself a forge and start collecting the tools. Until then, I'll have to stick to doing what I can with blades that are already tempered, and handles.
 
I am just doing a rescue on a Schrade Walden I found at a garage sale fo 50 cents, blade was in good shape but the handle was missing leather and what was still on crumbled off it was so dry rotted. I thought about restacking leather but I had this nice stag round in the drawer....

schradehunterbowie.jpg

stag2a.jpg

This is a Marble Expert I did last year, found it with a broken tip and no handle at all, did it in cholla...

marble1copy.jpg
 
Appreciate the offer Eric, but that would be so far out of my price range, it's not even funny.
Maybe after I retire in another 6 years (military) I'll be able to build myself a forge and start collecting the tools. Until then, I'll have to stick to doing what I can with blades that are already tempered, and handles.
Click to expand...

Bar stock removal's not expensive at all to get into. A good belt sander/grinder, a bench grinder, and a drill press can have you making some nice blades. Heat treat can be done in a number of economical ways, or sent off to somebody who has a heat treat oven for not that much. If you want to go hand forged, I don't have a clue what all that entails.
 
Don't be scared of letting someone help you get started... I made 3 knives that I gave away for Christmas, with the help of Jim Adams and his shop. After that, I was able to buy a drill press and band saw, and after my next batch of knives, I am hoping to get a grinder of some sort...

Long story short, if you have a maker local to you, don't be scared to jump in and try it!
 
Good idea il 10. Never thought of that.
Local knife shop can probably put me in contact with somebody. He has a couple local guys that make knives, some are in his case for sale.
 
Jantz is another good source of knife making supplies. http://www.knifemaking.com/Default.asp They sell all many of parts as well as billet steel in stainless, carbon, and damascus for stock removal.

As stated already stock removal is a perfectly good way to make knives, these three were made by stock removal on Nicholson files and then re tempered to 56-58rc.

morris.jpg
 
I have bought 1095 high carbon steel a couple times from Admiral Steel in Chicago.
http://www.admiralsteel.com/products/blades.htmlThey cater to people making knives and will sell you a strip of knife steel in different thicknesses, widths, and lengths. They ship it UPS. The prices are on the web site but are pretty reasonable. I have paid as much in shipping as for the metal when I was not getting a lot. My first knife was really simple and I did almost all of it with a file and heat treated it using my back yard charcole grill.
 
Another source for blade metal

I have bought 1095 blade steel from Admiral Steel in Chicago. They cater to knife makers and stock a variety of cut steel pieces in various metal types, widths, thicknesses, and lengths. They ship them to you UPS. Their web site is http://www.admiralsteel.com/pdf/bladesteel.pdf

I made my first knife with material bought from them. It was a simple design and I mostly just used a file, sand paper, and a hack saw to shape it and then heat treated it using my backyard charcoal grill.
 
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