Knife Making

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Knife Making
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Snap Cap

Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 553
Location: Outside a warren armed to the teeth.

Posted: Tue Jul 04, 06 4:15 pm Post subject: Knife Making
Anyone on here had a go at making thier own knife? I'd like to make a decent knife for game prep, skinning etc. I've got a Gerber knife but it dosn't keep its edge long. Any links to sites or help would be apreciated. thanks

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18415

Posted: Tue Jul 04, 06 4:37 pm Post subject:
Whetstones ? Seems as though you have to use them quite often though.

Snap Cap

Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 553
Location: Outside a warren armed to the teeth.

Posted: Tue Jul 04, 06 4:42 pm Post subject:
Thats what I've got an Arkansas stone, but I am for ever sharpening the thing I prepped 20 woodies and 15 bunnies and I must have re-sharpened my knife 10 times.

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18415

Posted: Tue Jul 04, 06 4:47 pm Post subject:

I've got that joy to come - just got a scythe with a 'stone blade' and a pair of whetstones from the place in Somerset that does those Austrian scythes. Tried it out on an overgrown plot up at the allotment on Sunday, and blunted it (what a surprise).

Supposed to cut better (keep its edge for longer) if you peen the blade occasionally as well as whetting. Peening hammer and portable anvil on order shortly...

mrutty

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 1578

Posted: Tue Jul 04, 06 5:24 pm Post subject: Re: Knife Making

Snap Cap wrote:

I've got a Gerber knife but it dosn't keep its edge long.

Is it a 'real' gerber with the cord handle? If it is they come with lifetime support. Drop them a mail explaining the issue and see what they say.

On making knifes I've only every re handled them in the past.

Brandon

Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 114
Location: mid wales

Posted: Tue Jul 04, 06 5:31 pm Post subject:

Hi there, I am guessing that your gerber is a stainless blade?

High carbon steel keeps a far beter edge than stainlass ever will (despite what leatherman et. al tell you)

I find the best knives available on the market are "Opinel". I have owned several, only needeing replacing due to loss or theft! their No. 8 is a good all round knife, and does fine for the sort of thing that you say your gerber is used for. The real bonus is that they can be had for under a fiver, this is a folding knife, and is available here:

https://www.axminster.co.uk/shop-Opinel.htm
If you are after making a knife, then you want to get hold of some good hard steel and a grinder (or plenty of patience and a stone!!)

The steel I have used is from metal cutting saw blades, any machine shop or engineering workshop should have blunt blades that they will let you have. It is basically a vary large hacksaw blade that you are after, they are thick enough and wide enough to fashion a tidy blade from, and you should be able to get three or even four from one blade, dependant on the length, so if you mess up first time, then it's no great shakes.

All the best with your knife making....

mrutty

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 1578

Posted: Tue Jul 04, 06 5:57 pm Post subject:

Brandon wrote:

I find the best knives available on the market are "Opinel". I have owned several, only needeing replacing due to loss or theft! their No. 8 is a good all round knife, and does fine for the sort of thing that you say your gerber is used for. The real bonus is that they can be had for under a fiver, this is a folding knife

Two downsides to them
1) They are French

2) when they get wet the handles are like soap. Had a nasty set of cuts from a No.8, but this can be cured by sticking some emery cloth to the handle. Rub off the varnish where the cloth will go to get a good key and then use something like Evo Stick impact glue.

Laygard f required is just a case of drilling a hole at the back of the handle.

Snap Cap

Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 553
Location: Outside a warren armed to the teeth.

Posted: Tue Jul 04, 06 7:15 pm Post subject:
I've also had Opinel's whilst they are a nice cheap knife, getting them wet causes the wood to expand and you can't open them.

Marts

Joined: 06 Sep 2005
Posts: 352
Location: London

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 06 8:01 am Post subject:
I've just made this one - great fun

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 06 10:01 am Post subject:
Very nice. You'll ruin it cutting concrete like that though.

Silas

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 6848
Location: Staffordshire

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 06 10:45 am Post subject:
That is REALLY nice. Was it a kit?

Marts

Joined: 06 Sep 2005
Posts: 352
Location: London

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 06 11:07 am Post subject:
Not a kit as such. I bought the blade (a falkniven F1) then i bought the wood and some brass pins. Then I made it. Not too complicated and I can point you to some on-line tutorials if you like.

Joey

Joined: 03 Nov 2004
Posts: 191

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 06 11:10 am Post subject:
Marts, That is beautiful.

Silas

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 6848
Location: Staffordshire

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 06 11:32 am Post subject:

Marts wrote:

Not a kit as such. I bought the blade (a falkniven F1) then i bought the wood and some brass pins. Then I made it.

Not too complicated and I can point you to some on-line tutorials if you like.

oooh. yes please!

Marts

Joined: 06 Sep 2005
Posts: 352
Location: London

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 06 2:44 pm Post subject:
OK. these should get you started. Any questions ask away. https://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10276 https://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=9693 https://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11326 https://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8673

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