There are a lot of different ways to make a hunting knife but one of the best is to build it yourself from scratch. With a good understanding of the basic concepts and a little bit of practice, you can make a quality knife from scrap materials that will last you for years to come.
First you need to design a blade that will suit your needs and taste. The perfect knife should be hard, tough and wear-resistant, able to hold an edge for long periods of time without wearing out or becoming dented or scratched.
Then you need to consider the type of handle you want. There are two basic kinds of knife handles: (a) scale or slab, in which two pieces of wood or other material sandwich the blade’s tang; and (b) one-piece, which, just as the name implies, uses a single piece of material to surround the tang.
Once you’ve designed your blade and handle, you can begin to cut and shape them to fit. This is where the most hand work will be involved, so it’s important to take your time and try to get it right the first time.
After a while, you’ll have a handle that fits perfectly on your knife blade and the knife will be ready to be sharpened. You’ll need a sharpening stone and some oil to lubricate the stone, and you’ll need to do a light sanding to smooth out the edge before sharpening.
Another way to make a hunting knife is to use antlers or rawhide for the handle. These are a natural material that is easy to find and can be very durable.
When using antler for the handle you can choose to use the crown end of the antler for a very distinctive look, or you can use a thicker inner curve for a more comfortable grip. Then you can either sand the antler before sharpening it or you can lightly oil it to create a satin finish.
Once the handle is made, it’s a good idea to make a sheath for the blade so that you can keep it safe while working on it. A simple sheath can be made from a folded sheet of cardboard and taped around it to protect the blade from damage whilst you’re working on it.
Then you can begin to work on the tang of the knife by sharpening it. This will be the first time that you’ve ever worked on your knife’s tang, so it’s important to be careful and to use a good sharpening stone.
You can also heat treat your knife blade before you cut it. This will help to improve its durability and increase its strength. You can also use a clay mold to help ensure that the blade is in the desired shape when you are ready to sharpen it.
When making a knife from scratch you’ll need a lot of different tools to complete the project. Some of the most common tools you’ll need are a hacksaw, a set of drift punches to move as well as set pins used in the handle along with bolster attachments, a pair of drill bits from 1/16inch to 1/2inch, a file and a couple of hammers.