My shop is used for ...

[David Sharp]

knifemaking. Until recently this was a hobby/part time job. As the demand increased I started viewing it as plan B for employment. with a 2yr backlog 8 weeks ago this became plan A.

I thought you guys might be interested in how i go about making a fixed blade. This series of pics is about 2 yrs old and posted on a couple of knife forums elsewhere on the interwebz.

I belong to the Loveless school of knife making so some might recognize the the general shapes (the most duplicated in cutlery history). I start everything with steel patterns. I do have some blanks water jetted but the less popular I profile manually.


Clamp it down solidly and scribe:



This is my weapon of choice for rough profiling a blank. A Vintage Powermatic with an infinite drive. I love older equipment.


Roughly profiled on the bandsaw


When I did this WIP I missed a few pics in the sequences so I will try to fill them in.
The pic below is a typical 2x72 grinder used in knife making. this is my original in unused condition. From the previous pics I take the bandsaw profiled blanks and grind to the scribed outline with the grinder.


And before I go to work for the day (long commute to the back of the property) one more pic with the guard slots or shoulders milled in and fastener bolts drilled. I have other pics later of milling processes but not for this I am assuming you guys get the point.

 

[Lhorn]

Pretty cool. I thought about try to make one, but saw a video on Youtube that showed a sped up video of all that goes into making one and I quickly lost my interest. Looks like a lot of skill involved.

 

[zkling]

Sweet. I use to be heavy into bladesmithing. I was more into the forging and damascus side than stock removal methods. I hate the grinding process. Do you make any forged knives or mostly stock removal? What type of heat treating setup do you have? Water, oil, salt? Congrats on making it full time. You must make a very good product.

I spy the KMG style grinder and stash of 2x72 belts in the background. Yep, you're a knifemaker.

 

[grego]

Dude, that is awesome!! The only problem with taking your hobby up several notches to make it your full time job, you get burnt out really bad. Remember to keep it fresh and fun.
I am a sucker for a handmade knife, can you post a website or where one can see your models?
** Sorry, I was too busy looking at the different blades and equipment in the back ground**

 

[zkling]

Look at his sig man, address is there.

 

[David Sharp]

zkling - I only do stock removal fixed and folders. I was named 1 of 5 makers to watch in the March issue of Blade Magazine and won Best New Maker at The Blade show this last May I seem to be on a roll.

Grego - I understand the concern about burnout; my concern also! I started this as a way to keep form going crazy while going through Chemo. I was pretty heavily into offr-oad racing and fab but have had to slow down a bit.

Most things to do with steel attract me. I have been working a 60-70hr week job plus knifemaking Fri-Sun for three yrs last month. I probably would have been burnt by now.

Just as an aside I love browsing the internet looking for homebrew tools,fixtures, machines. I can't believe I didn't find this forum earlier it is one of the best. I wanted to add something instead of always lurking/reading about all the stuff you guys are doing.

David

 

[ADSR]

Awesome work!

 

[zkling]

zkling - I only do stock removal fixed and folders. I was named 1 of 5 makers to watch in the March issue of Blade Magazine and won Best New Maker at The Blade show this last May I seem to be on a roll.

Nice, congrats man Do you hang out on the Dfogg forums much? That is where I use to really hang out when I was heavily into smithing. Some extremely talented folks over there.

Mind if I ask what your day job is or I guess was? Again, congrats on the successful start. You produce some beautiful knives.

Just wanted to add, I'm loving the tapered tangs. Talk about something that looks much easier to do than it really is.

 

[David Sharp]

So zkling beat me to it and mentioned Tapered tangs. For t hose that may not know here is a pic illustrating the feature. You still get all the strength/full thickness of the knife at the center; around the guard/index finger but minimize the overall weight of the knife. IMHO it is very pleasing to the eye.



So I go about it in this way:

I first grind a hollow/radius from the where the guard will be to the **** of the handle. This makes it easier to flatten; removing only the perimeter steel as opposed to the whole handle.



I then use the flat platen on my grinder to flatten/taper the tang using a 50lb welding magnet as a handle.





This is the results:





As I said earlier this series of pics are a1.5-2 yrs old (early in my incredibly long career ;P). I have now reversed these steps surface grinding to remove mill scale and then tapering the tangs.



And now onto the most fun part blade grinding! After the mill scale is removed I scribe in grind heights and positions using a height gauge and some home made gauges.



Each pattern of knife has a different height of grind; I have a series of gauges the are milled form .400"-.800". Theses allow for marking on the sides of the blank using the prospective edge as a constant.








I'll get into grinding tomorrow; you guys have a good day!

 

[930dreamer]

Nice blade work and congrats on the back order.

 

[zilla68]

I'd love to have one of those pocket knives, they still on backorder?
pm me a price if you would

 

[Mr. Brooks]

I'd love to have one of those pocket knives, they still on backorder?
pm me a price if you would

I would also be interested in one of those killer pocket knives. Simple but yet elegant and functional.
Please PM me a price and backlog info if you can.

 

[fnieto]

Nice work Mr. Sharp.

 

[1/2 Cup]

A true master Craftsman at work, thanks for the post.

 

[neonnblack]

Id also like to know a price on the one in the picture.

 

[Brad Beam]

I would also be interested in one of those killer pocket knives. Simple but yet elegant and functional.
Please PM me a price and backlog info if you can.

Me too...

 

[rustyshakelford]

Do you do any that aren't so nice I'd want it in a display case? I'd love a knife for cleaning pigs and deer that will hold a good blade and easy to clean when done? I've tried different ones but break or I have to sharpen them due to the poor quality steel. I'd like an aluminum handle or similar

Brett

 

[Johnny chaos]

I too would be interested in the folder

 

[Tamper84]

Very nice!!! What kind of mill do you have?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Amitygravel]

David ,
Welcome to the Garage Journal !
Congrats on being able to go full time also.
Let's see more of the shop.

Craig

 

[Kevin54]

David ,
Welcome to the Garage Journal !
Congrats on being able to go full time also.
Let's see more of the shop.

Craig

Amity.....did you make that one?

And for the OP....I'd also like a price!!!!

 

[Amitygravel]

Yes Kevin , I did !

 

[38 tow]

David,

Very nice looking product you have there. Congratulations on being able to go full-time. I would like to echo what has been said and welcome you to the Garage Journal, I too am glad you could make this a full time venture. I would also be interested in a price for your folding knives.