If you’re looking to make your own knife, you’ll need to learn how to cut the blade. Luckily, it’s pretty easy and you can do it with the help of some basic tools.
To begin, you’ll need a blank of steel and an angle grinder. These are readily available at most swap meets and garage sales.
Blade Shape
Knife blades come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Often, these shapes are determined by the knife maker’s creative vision, but the majority of them were designed for specific purposes and tasks.
In fact, the most popular general-utility blade shape is the drop point (below). It’s a good choice for hunting because it’s strong enough to skin an animal without puncturing its organs.
Another common blade shape is the trailing point. It has a back edge that curves upward rather than downward, which improves the blade’s slicing ability.
This type of blade is often found on Benchmade’s Clyde knives, as it gives its wielder more control over the cutting action.
Other blade shapes include the sheepsfoot and wharncliffe, both of which are great for slicing. Sheepsfoot blades feature a straight edge with a curved spine that starts closer to the handle and extends gradually to the tip, while wharncliffe blades have a curved spine that begins further from the handle and extends more gradually to the tip.
Material
Choosing the right material for a blade is important. It determines how strong it is and how easy it is to sharpen.
The most common materials used for knives include carbon steel, tool steel and stainless steel. All three types offer different qualities and are available with a variety of alloying elements to add other important characteristics like wear resistance or toughness.
Toughness refers to a blade’s ability to resist chipping, cracking or breaking under impacts or torsion pressure. Elements that rank in the mid-range on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness, like nickel, will increase toughness.
The best knife blades are made from hardened and tempered high carbon steel like 1084, 1095 or a tool steel like O1. These metals are inexpensive, readily available and relatively easy to work with and harden. They are also tough and hold a good edge.
Handle
The handle is the section of a knife blade where the user grips it. It includes the tang, rivets and bolsters, which are designed to keep your fingers from slipping while you cut.
Handles may be made from a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, rubber and leather. They can also be textured to increase grip and ease of use.
Many knives feature a lock mechanism that allows the user to open and close the blade with one button or lever. This type of lock is most commonly found on automatic knives.
Before you begin cutting a knife blade, ensure that you have all the safety precautions in place. This includes wearing a pair of sturdy leather gloves, a plier and cut resistant goggles.
Sheath
A knife sheath is a protective covering for a knife blade. It can be made of a variety of materials, but is often leather.
Generally speaking, sheaths are more useful for smaller-blade knives (like paring knives), while a knife scabbard is usually used for longer swords or other larger blades.
Sheaths come in a wide range of styles, from simple leather sheaths to more complex ones that can be attached to belt loops. They help protect your knife blade, and they can also add a certain rugged aesthetic to the look of your knife.
If you’re making a sheath for your own use, it’s helpful to know how to cut the leather. This will give you a precise look that will be durable and last for a long time.