VERY new knife maker!!

[Alexre97]

Hey guys i am new knife maker i havent even made one! I would like a list of the most affordable tools and materials (i am 14). I would also like to learn how to make a knife! I live in the twin cities area in MN so if any tips tricks or just wanna say hi or talk e-mail me at the12thdoctor@hotmail.com

[NJStricker]

Try the SEARCH function. A lot of questions have been asked here multiple times over the years, including equipment for those starting out.

[Ray Rogers]

Welcome aboard, Alex! As NJ said, the Search button is your friend for much of the basic info. Also, get some catalogs from several of the knife supply houses like Sheffields, K&G Finishing, Jantz, knifekits.com, and Texas Knifemakers or visit the websites for those suppliers (not all have websites). Once you see what they sell, you'll know what tools knife makers buy. There are also books and videos and kit knives available - all good ways to get started on knife making. Time to do your homework.

When you've done some research then you can post specific questions and we'll try to find answers for you ....

[Alexre97]

Thanks Ray ill look into that I've had no luck with the search bar so far could you tell me some of the best places to get this info I also am looking into butterfly and balisongs so any info on these things would help!! Thanks again

[NJStricker]

Alex,

This link has a vast amount of information. Some of the links are old, but there is still a lot of good stuff to be found:

http://gbrannon.bizhat.com/#heat

Nathan

[Kostoglotov]

You might want to check out the guild of metalsmiths - http://metalsmith.org/

There are a few knifemakers in the group.

Probably too late but Tracy Mickley (USA Knifemaker) is having a hammer-in down in Mankato that wraps up tomorrow (8:30 to 3 - I think)

Welcome aboard

[Alexre97]

Thank NJ ill check it out. Kos thanks ill try to get there it sounds cool!

[Ray Rogers]

Alex,

The knife supply houses I mentioned are the best places to start to gather the info you want. They list the tools you need, contain some tutorials, sell books and videos on knife making - everything you need to get started.

Get some magazines on knife making like Blade or Knives Illustrated. These can usually be found in large news stands, mall book stores, mall cutlery shops, or gun stores. These magazines often contain articles on knife making and they always contain lots of ads for the many companies selling knife supplies and tools. That's one way to find out how to contact the knife supply houses, especially the ones that don't have websites. Google will find the ones that have websites.

I strongly suggest that you make a few kit knives before you try making a knife from scratch. A kit knife can be made using only a few common tools and lots of sandpaper.

As for balisongs or any other kind of folding knife, there are many kits available for these too. You are a very long way from where you need to be to make a folding knife from scratch but most kits are fairly simple to do.

Start simple and start reading. Here's a link to some good books: http://www.rayrogers.com/books.htm

[NJStricker]

If you want to start with kits inexpensively, check out the Russell Green River blades or similar from IRT. They are generally under $20 and are simple, but time-tested designs, some of them dating back to the 19th century.

[Alexre97]

Thnx Nj ill check them out. Also Ray thanks I checked. Out your site I'm going to buy several of those books that really helped.