My First Knife

classicman · 07-25-2011, 10:35 PM

foot3 - that's awesome and you were how old?

Griff · 07-26-2011, 05:52 AM

Well done footie.

Amazing thread PW and keep the links coming guys, this is really interesting stuff.

glatt · 07-26-2011, 07:40 AM

Great knife, Foot!

This thread is interesting, and the timing is good too. My son wants to make a knife, but I have no real tools for it. Plus, I don't allow him to use power tools yet. I showed him where I have a scrap bar of steel, and where the hack saw and files are. He filed on that bar for about 60 seconds before giving up. In 7 years he will be old enough to join the local blacksmith club and use their shop.

Until then, I guess he will have to stick to wood. He's made 3-4 wooden swords so far. I should take a picture of his latest. It's actually pretty good. A half lap joint holds the guard on, and the sword is nice and sharp on the edges with a blunt tip and an carved handle.

Perry Winkle · 07-27-2011, 02:07 PM

Cool knife, F3.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

This thread is interesting, and the timing is good too. My son wants to make a knife, but I have no real tools for it. Plus, I don't allow him to use power tools yet. I showed him where I have a scrap bar of steel, and where the hack saw and files are. He filed on that bar for about 60 seconds before giving up. In 7 years he will be old enough to join the local blacksmith club and use their shop.

How old is he? Do you have to be 18 to join the club?

If you find a smith to talk to, he might have your son in to get some hands on learning. I've read in knife magazines about kids as young as 8 forging and finishing knives (with strict adult supervision).

They do have blades you can buy and then just finish them from there. It's a lower barrier to "making a knife." The kit blades go from simple fixed blades to complex folders. Most of them let you mix and match handle materials, pins, bolster, etc.

I've heard good things about Knife Kits and USA Knife Maker.

Also, if the steel is not annealed it's going to be significantly harder to cold work.

glatt · 07-27-2011, 02:23 PM

Pretty sure you have to be 16 to join the local blacksmith club. He's 9 now. He's had a pocket knife for 2 months, so he's not even a seasoned pro at using a knife yet, let alone making one.

But those kits look like a good idea. Maybe a Christmas present for him.

07-25-2011, 10:35 PM	#1
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	foot3 - that's awesome and you were how old? __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

07-26-2011, 05:52 AM	#2
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Well done footie. Amazing thread PW and keep the links coming guys, this is really interesting stuff. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

07-26-2011, 07:40 AM	#3
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Great knife, Foot! This thread is interesting, and the timing is good too. My son wants to make a knife, but I have no real tools for it. Plus, I don't allow him to use power tools yet. I showed him where I have a scrap bar of steel, and where the hack saw and files are. He filed on that bar for about 60 seconds before giving up. In 7 years he will be old enough to join the local blacksmith club and use their shop. Until then, I guess he will have to stick to wood. He's made 3-4 wooden swords so far. I should take a picture of his latest. It's actually pretty good. A half lap joint holds the guard on, and the sword is nice and sharp on the edges with a blunt tip and an carved handle.

07-27-2011, 02:23 PM	#5
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Pretty sure you have to be 16 to join the local blacksmith club. He's 9 now. He's had a pocket knife for 2 months, so he's not even a seasoned pro at using a knife yet, let alone making one. But those kits look like a good idea. Maybe a Christmas present for him.

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