Knife Blade Blanks

[bsparker]

Just received a set of wood scales. I have never made a knife and looking for recommendations on knife blade blanks. There are a lot of websites and I'm just learning about blade metals. I'm most interested in hunting blades, USA made would be a bonus. Any tips or insights are welcome.

Father-in-law got me a set of knife blanks/scales. My only experience is making wood grips for SAA revolvers and 1911s. These blanks are too narrow for that so I might as well try a knife handle. Thanks in advance!

 

[Mk-211]

Go on Ebay and look around, it's amazing what you can find.

Look up factory knife blanks, custom knife blanks, knife blank.....

 

[hso]

Go to Jantz Supply or Knife Kits or Texas Knifemaker Supply or Alabama Damascus.

These are all trusted in the knife community.

Avoid FB or Ebay.

 

[JeffG]

Whole Earth Supply does well for me.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/WholeEarthSupply?ref=shop_sugg

 

[MutinousDoug]

I would look at "Track of the Wolf" for blade blanks or kits starting at +/- $15. The steel is old school 1095 carbon which takes a fine edge. Might be a little fragile for slaughtering if you aren't careful but a great butcher knife. I use an Old Hickory 1095 skinner for my elk hunting knife but it usually needs dressing after knuckling/kneeing the quarters .

 

[bsparker]

Any of you hear of Camillus? Looks to a NY product, but uses 420. Not sure if that's strong enough for hunting/skinning/slaughtering.

Woodcraft near me has WoodRiver and Camillus (among others). WoodRiver uses 440C. I'm assuming that would be the better material. Am I understanding the metal ratings correctly?

 

[hso]

Camillus isn't what it used to be.

I've seen the Woodcrafters kits. They'll do to start

 

[bsparker]

Camillus isn't what it used to be.

I've seen the Woodcrafters kits. They'll do to start

thanks for the response. I really like Some of the products from Texas knifemaker, which you suggested. Ill likely buy a blade from them for the second attempt once I work the kinks out with on first one. Appreciate it.

 

[bsparker]

So first run at this. Still have to put a finish on it and maybe another run with fine paper. Any recommendations as I consider the next one? Pointers? Notice anything that needs correction?

handle is just under 7/8” thick and 4 1/2” long. I decide to fully cover the finger guard, not sure if that was the right decision or not. I think I like it. Only power tool used was a belt sander locked in a vice (it’s tricky but works).

 

[Mk-211]

Looks good, wouldn't change it.

 

[Valkman]

That's a pretty damn good job! The goal is to really make the handle fit the hand - when you don't know who's hand it'll go to. Handles fit better when you narrow them at the front and back some and leave a "palm swell" in the middle. Look at pics of custom knives to get the idea.

You can see on this knife where I narrowed it at the front then brought it out some before narrowing it again:



People used to tell me that my knives fit their hand like it was made for them.

 

[bsparker]

That's a pretty damn good job! The goal is to really make the handle fit the hand - when you don't know who's hand it'll go to. Handles fit better when you narrow them at the front and back some and leave a "palm swell" in the middle. Look at pics of custom knives to get the idea.

You can see on this knife where I narrowed it at the front then brought it out some before narrowing it again:

View attachment 970052

People used to tell me that my knives fit their hand like it was made for them.

I had thought about doing that, wasn't sure how the pins were going to work. They were much easy to work with than anticipated. It feel pretty good in the hand, if there were one area I'd trim down it'd be up at the front. Maybe a little at the back, but that part sits pretty well in the palm for me. Thanks for the note, I'll try that on the next one.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Looks good and the belt sander in a vise trick has made many a knife.

 

[Valkman]

I had thought about doing that, wasn't sure how the pins were going to work. They were much easy to work with than anticipated. It feel pretty good in the hand, if there were one area I'd trim down it'd be up at the front. Maybe a little at the back, but that part sits pretty well in the palm for me. Thanks for the note, I'll try that on the next one.

It's all trial and error at first, I got to where I could shape handles pretty fast and on the Fighters I just shaped them at 60 grit and then sandblasted them. Easy. But like I said that is a good job. A lot of new guys put on handles that look like blocks of wood but yours are much better than that.

 

[bsparker]

cleaned up some with two coats of tru-oil.

 

[hso]

Well done.

 

[Valkman]

Looks good!

 

[NuShootr]

Beautiful knife, sir!! I'm just now getting into knife building. It's fun!

 

[JShirley]

Spyderco has begun making their Mules again. These are treated, sharpened bare blades to allow consumers the chance to test various blade steels and apply their own handles. I personally don't love the blade shape, as it forces a presentation angle I don't love, but many people like them a lot .

 

[rust collector]

Spyderco has begun making their Mules again. These are treated, sharpened bare blades to allow consumers the chance to test various blade steels and apply their own handles. I personally don't love the blade shape, as it forces a presentation angle I don't love, but many people like them a lot .

Everything shows out of stock. I understand this program has had challenges from some folks buying them all to flip, or overproduction. Please keep us in the loop.

 

[JShirley]

The SPY27 Mules should be available soon.