If you’re ready to start making your own knives, you need the right tools. Whether you’re looking to build a simple utility knife or a high-production Bowie knife, this guide will help you get started.
The first thing you’ll need to shape your knife blank is a hacksaw. Use this in conjunction with a vice or clamps to keep your raw blade securely in place while you make your cuts.
1. Hacksaw
If you want to make your own knife, there are some basic tools that you must have. These include a hacksaw, files, drill, and vice.
Hacksaws are used to cut different types of materials such as metal, wood, and plastic. They can be easily adjusted and positioned for the right type of cutting.
Hacksaws are commonly used by electricians and plumbers for cutting conduits and pipes. They are also useful in a variety of industrial and household tasks.
2. Files
Making a knife doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated. All it takes is a few basic tools and plenty of elbow grease.
Depending on your skill level, you’ll need different materials for your blade and handle. The type of steel you use will have a lot to do with your final blade.
Most old files are case-hardened, which means the outer layer of the file is made from high carbon steel. The core is usually mild steel. You can check the hardness of a file by giving it a spark test.
3. Drill
Whether you’re making a knife for personal use or to display, a good set of basic tools will help make the process much easier. Here’s how to get started:
First, you need a drill that can bore holes in your metal blanks (or turn fasteners into material). The drill will also be helpful for putting in handle pins and rivets.
Using a drill will also allow you to mark the width of the blade on both sides with a scriber and caliper. This will help you stay consistent throughout the process.
4. Digital Calipers
Digital calipers are very useful tools that allow you to take extremely accurate measurements. They can measure the inside and outside dimensions of a piece of material, as well as the depth of a hole.
Unlike dial calipers, digital calipers can display readings in both metric and imperial systems, and they also offer higher accuracy than analog sets. They have a large LCD display and are very easy to read.
5. Sandpaper
Sandpaper is a handy hand tool that can be used to smooth rough edges and make surfaces shiny. Its history dates back to 13th century China when carpenters used sand, crushed seashells, and seeds as abrasives.
Sanding paper is made from abrasive particles that are glued onto a backing material with an adhesive. Different grades of sandpaper are available to suit various projects.
Coarse sandpaper is designed to remove large amounts of material, such as old paint or varnish; finer sandpapers are used to smooth surfaces and remove small imperfections. Grits range from 24 for coarse sanding to 2000 and beyond for fine sanding.
6. Sharpening Stone
Sharpening tools is a learning curve, and if you want to get good at it, you need to practice. This is especially true when it comes to hand-sharpening.
A great way to start is with a whetstone. These stones are inexpensive and simple to use, and you can work on a variety of different knives at once.
A good stone should have a coarse side that helps pre-sharpen the edge, and a fine side that refines the blade. Using the coarse side first will help remove large burrs and make your blade sharper.