Making Knives

[Zoar]

I have always wanted to make knives and I finally just went ahead and bought some scales and blades and sheaths and accessories from Track Of The Wolf.

Can anyone suggest other sources for knife making components? Or kits?

Also, any recommended books? I will most likely buy blades, not make my own. And my preference is for sheathed knives, not folding. Although I would like to see how folding knives are made but overall I see myself making more sheathed fixed blade knives and Throwing Knives.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Zoar: Find BLADE magazine on a magazine rack, or possibly in your local library. It lists all kinds of suppliers and has ads for the larger ones. A couple have booths at Friendship on Commercial row. Others are mail order firms. There are lots of different styles of blades available. You do the grips and hilts. There are even custom sheath makers around that will make the sheath for you, for a price, of course. But, considering the work involved, I think most of them are pretty reasonable.

 

[Pete42]

Try Texas Knikemakeing Supply, They have everything you should need an the price's are not to bad.

 

[Bountyhunter]

Best place I have found for supplies, blades, materials and tools is Jantz Supply at Davis, Oklahoma. they have a website. Jantz and Koval have joined forces. If they dont have it, you dont need it.

 

[mazo kid]

Leather Unlimited (www.leatherunltd.com)
Tandy
Atlanta Cutlery
Do a search, lots more.

 

[renovato]

I second the recommendation for Jantz Supply. They have pretty much everything you need as far as parts, premade blades, blanks, handle making materials, fasteners, etc. As for books, I'd check out anything written by Jim Hrisoulas. He's quite the expert on metal in general and on tempering and forging blades.

 

[JamesG]

Crazy Crow has knife black.They have stick tang and scale tang knives, they also have Pattern welded blades someother. They have some choose of wood bone and horn.brass rods and other thins.the other links are good chooses to .

 

[Nifeman]

Best place I have found for supplies, blades, materials and tools is Jantz Supply at Davis, Oklahoma. they have a website. Jantz and Koval have joined forces. If they dont have it, you dont need it.

Or ya make it. A good book is Wayne Goddards $50.00 Knife Shop...Bud of the Blue Ridge Tribe of Neo-Tribal Bladesmiths
:wink:

 

[crockett]

Zoar: one big plus with Texas Knife Makers Supply is that they offer a reasonable heat treatment service. Here is the drill.
1. Buy the barstock- get Air Quenchable if you want them to heat treat it- don't get 01. etc- ask them if you have questions. Also buy some brass barstock for the guard, brass rod for the pins, wood for the handle.
2. Design your blade. Photocopy the pattern and glue it to the barstock. Use a hacksaw and then files to get the profile. Than make a filing jig and draw file to kept the bevels flat- In the ricasso area use a block of steel the keep the file from straying and use a file with a safe of smooth side so you are only reducing the bevel. If you like making knives to can get a belt grinder later on. To start, try 440C and 1/8" thick by 1 1/2" wide.
3. After filing the bevels to shape, sand, and back the paper with a smooth piece of metal. I usually start at 80 grit, then 150, then 320.
4. If your have a stamp, stamp the blade- if not scratch on the tang your name and the type of steel- "ZOAR 440C". Send in for heat treatment.
5. When the blade comes back re polish.
6. Solder on the guard.
7. Clean up the area and re polish but this time go on with 400 grit, 600 grit, 1000 grit (auto supply stores have this sand paper) and then polish with green chrome polishing compound to a mirror finish. Wrap the blade to protect the finish.
8. Glue or pin on the handle.

Another way you could advance is buy a blade and guard and just put on the handle. Next time buy a blade and brass bar stock and make the guard, then after that make everything.

Good luck- I started making knives over 30 years ago- there are only so many guns you can make but knives- you can make them forever, give out to friends, etc.

And- on historical blades- get a photo and blow it up to full size, photocopy and cut out the profile and glue it to the steel.

 

[Zoar]

Crockett and others--- Yes, thank you for the advice. I have a number of wood and bone blanks, brass stock of various diameters, cutler rivets, some unfinished sheaths, some leather, snaps, hand tools, leather dyes, and yes some blades in various stages of finish coming via mail to me from 3 different sources that you guys suggested. Thanks!

I have collected knives for a long time and I often give them as presents to my son and brothers and friends.

At work I have access to a small machine shop with milling machine, belt sander, etc, and at home I have my own little work shop.

I prefer to do things as manual as possible. I did pick up the 50 dollar knife shop book and read through much of it.

I know I will make knives so I jumped in with both feet. Christmas is not far away and I need to make a knife for my son, my girlfriend and one for me. The order will be reversed. The first knife I make will stay with me.

I need a small fixed blade hunting knife for my use. All my knives are too big or too modern and the one knife my father used as his small hunting knife is just too small (2.5 inch blade and too thin for my preference).Although it is old and has all the character I need, I want one that is more of a an old classic but with just a slightly larger 3 - 3.25 inch blade and slightly longer, larger handle for field dressing deer and general cutting. I find that a small fixed blade belt knife is far more comfortable to wear and the easiest for me to use expecially if I need to get at it with one hand.

I anxiously await delivery of the items to get into my newest hobby!