If you’re a beginner knife maker, we have the perfect guide for you. You’ll learn everything you need to know about making your first knife: from the tools and materials you need to the design of the blade and handle.
You’ll also find some basic tips and tricks that can help you get started.
Shaping the Blank
Shaping a knife blank can be the most difficult step in the process. It takes a lot of patience and time to make sure the blade is cut straight along the design.
The good news is that if you have a good grinder and some files, this chore can be completed quickly and easily. But if you don’t have the tools, it’s best to hire someone to do it for you.
Once the blank is shaped, it is ready to be drilled. Using a sharp drill bit, about the thickness of the steel, scribe the centerline on the blade, leaving two lines down the blade, about 1/16-inch wide.
Next, use a hacksaw to “connect-the-dots” or cut the metal between the holes. This can be done with a traditional bi-metal hacksaw or a metal cutting band saw.
Once all the holes have been bored, clamp the blank in a sturdy vise and simply “connect-the-dots” by cutting between the holes with a good bi-metal hacksaw blade. This is an old-fashioned method, but it is effective and can save a lot of elbow grease.
Making the Handle
Knives are a versatile tool that can be used for many different purposes. They can be a hunting knife, a utility knife, or even a defense weapon.
A good beginner knife should be simple and functional, with a blade that meets your needs. This means that it should be made from a material with excellent hardness, toughness, and edge retention.
Handles can be made from a variety of materials, from wood to brass or micarta. They can also be pinned, riveted or screwed to the tang.
This part of the process is very important and will make or break the overall look of your knife. This is why it’s vital that you have a great handle design.
Making the Blade
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, making a knife is not a simple task. The process requires specific knowledge of steels, shaping and manufacturing techniques.
Once you’ve chosen a blade material, the next step is to shape the metal into the desired shape. This can be done by hand or with a range of machines.
If you’re a beginner, the best way to do this is to make a simple sketch of your design using chalk or soapstone.
Then, place the template on top of the piece of metal that you’re going to shape. Use a hammer to slowly flatten out the metal until it’s exactly the size that you want.
Once you’ve shaped the blade to your satisfaction, the next step is to cut it down and make it sharp. You’ll need to do this before you heat-treat it.
Sharpening the Blade
A sharpened knife feels great in your hand, and it’s easier to cut with. But sharp knives also rust and corrode more quickly than you may think, so it’s important to maintain your edge.
To hone your blade, you’ll need a honing steel or sharpening stone ($60;Zwilling). These tools use a rod to slide the knife through a slit at a consistent angle.
One of the most challenging aspects of sharpening a blade is maintaining that angle. This can be hard to do on your own and will take practice.
One of the best ways to learn this skill is to practice on something cheap and easy, like a machete or a stainless steel wall hanger. This will give you a feel for how to maintain that constant sharpening angle without damaging the blade.