just startin out

[tomahawk74]

Hello all, Im a newcomer to the art of blade making. I am looking to start, and need some help ... only heat source is an open fire, do not have an anvil,,, any ideas how i can make this work..... oh yeah,, am thinkin about using an old lawn mower blade..... have access to cutting tools to cut down to size want.... but need some instruction... any help will greatly appriciated....

 

[hso]

Not that we want to run you off, but you'll get a lot of quality help from the blade smith and knife maker forums. Look at http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ and see if you can find a smith near you. They're usually happy to have a novice come out and look at what they do and can give you great pointers. Check out Don Fogg's forum for beginners http://forums.dfoggknives.com/index.php?showforum=26 for lots of help. If you don't want to forge you can drop in at Bladeforum and Knifeforum into the knifemaker forum and meet some very helpful folks there.

Look through our threads here from members who are knifemakers and bladesmiths and those who have taken it up.

 

[Valkman]

You need an anvil for forging or a grinder of some sort if you do stock removal, there's no way around it. You can do the "stock removal" with files but that is very labor intensive - I did exactly one knife that way. I then bought a Grizzly grinder, $400 + some delivered IIRC.

 

[tomahawk74]

thanks for the site info,,, am gonna see about gettin an anvil and a grinder....

 

[Black Toe Knives]

Call me if you like. I will answer a lot of your questions. If I cant answer them I know people who can.

Jim Adams Custom Knives - 270-622-8776

 

[hso]

You'd be surprised what you can find for treasure in junk and antique shops. Pa may be one of the best places to find anvils and blacksmithing tools.

 

[7X57chilmau]

Also, a look at Mokwepa (user name)'s threads on home-made knives might be helpful too. A few members of this site helped to set him on the path to hand-forging knives, and he turned out some gems in short order.

A great first step for you would be to decide whether forging or stock removal (grinding) techniques appeal to you most. I started with forging, using very basic equipment, and am slowly learning the ropes of stock removal.... Together they'll be a powerful combo!

Careful, though.... Addicting hobby!

J

 

[tomahawk74]

yeah actually ran into a grinder for free, scooped it right up,, still on the hunt for an anvill.. gonna check freecycle.com. i heard there might be some on there... well see. when i start my 1st project will take pics from start to finish... again thank you all for the info and the contact info....