Visit a Knife Maker in Your Area

[Andrew Garrett]

Andy Garrett - Haysville, Kansas (Wichita area)
KCKA Charter Member
Knifemaker, sheath/holster maker, toolmaker, professional tattoo artist, and builder of many things including guns, classic wooden boats, and experimental aircraft.

Happy to help in any way I can.

[tyrippin]

New knife maker in Philly area. Lookin for a knife maker with some knowledge around here! Will trade my labor for some knowledge about knife making!!!?

[tyrippin]

Hey! I'm a new knife make in Philly looks for someone with knowledge on knife making in area! Will do labor or whatever work needs to be done for knowledge on knife making!

[JeremyRayTurner]

Where are all the Santa Barbara County Makers ~ Several months back I met a kid from a craigslist add I had posted and he asked if he could come by and see my knives and my set up, so I invited him over and gave him a Signed copy of Wayne Goddard's how to make knives books along with several pieces of 1095 I had.....later I was invited over to his house to see his homemade forge him and a couple of his friends had made out of brick....it was a big forge enclosed in an overhead outdoor patio his dad had built for him.....he had showed me a couple of pieces he had tried his hand at.....one being a ninja sword but it was very soft steel and would bend.....so I shared my two cents with him by suggesting he starting out on something a bit smaller and showing him how to test steel to see if it would be good and suitable for a good knife or not using the heat, quench and break method. Today I wonder if he is even still making knives and if his passion stuck with him or not. I think I will try and make contact with him and see what he's been up to lately and if he is still pursuing his knife making passion or not. As for this one encounter I rarely if ever see anyone around my parts that's close by as to local makers and wish there was ~ "J"

[Salmon]

Kevin1050, are you still in Baltimore / interested in knife making?

[Salmon]

Originally Posted by CB&D

Looking for a knife maker/mentor in Va. Do
You guys know of anyone.



Thanks!
Tim

Tim, where in VA are you located? I am also in VA. Northern VA.

[Em9]

Anyone around the Bay area California?

[CIW]

Also looking for NorCal knife makers. Let me know if you get a response. I just started in the hobby.

[DennisP76]

Hello,

FNG / Newbie here interested in learning the basics. I've been lurking for a while and decided to join officially. Some of you might not like the show, but "Forged in Fire" has increased my desire to learn the trade, as well as my 8 year old son. I'd like to get some hands on experience prior to investing a bunch of money into something and develop a bunch of bad habits.

I'm in Northern Illinois, NW of Chicago. I was hoping to find someone in the area or southern Wisconsin that might be willing to help me out.

Thanks
Dennis

[Crex]

By all means continue search/posting here and on other knife related forums. There are a whole lot more bladesmiths and blacksmiths out there than most folks realize. FnF has really generated a lot more interest in the art, that's for certain. I personally have been inundated with request for classes and am pretty much booked into the horizon.
Search out knife clubs and custom knife makers in your area on a local and regional basis. With a little casual conversation almost anywhere you will find someone that knows someone that either smiths or personally knows a smith. You just got to ask.
Also check arts/crafts shows, gun/knife shows, your local community activities coordinator, cultural arts programs, etc. You'll find someone with a little effort.
Just be cautious in jumping in head first.....it may look like a lot of fun, but it is a hard work occupation (most good things are). Try it out and see if it's your game or not before you get in too deep.

[Sawdusthappy]

Hey Guys, I am in Indiananapolis anyone close? I am not oposed to driving a few hours. I have roughed out some blanks. But have not done any beveling or heat treating. Anyone willing to spare some time would be greatly appreciated!

[Coreym]

Hey team

I'm interested in making some knives. Made a couple a few years back and they are not very good but you got to start some where. I live in New Zealand and the knife making scene is not very big over here and I have had little success in finding someone to talk to.
If there are any names that spring to mind that I could get in touch with that would be great. Also new to fourms if this is the wrong thread for this post my bad

[jimmontg]

This is the best knife forum I have had the pleasure of joining. Some great knifemakers here who are free with their knowledge. Have you Googled NZ Knifemakers? There has to be some and I seem to remember there was one out of Christchurch, NZ. Take a look also for hand made knives for sale in NZ as well.

I would imagine knife making supplies are hard to come by there. I have no idea on the shipping costs to your beautiful country. Also try Australia too, I know there are some good bladesmiths there. They may know somebody in NZ.

[Coreym]

Hey Jim

Thanks for the quick reply. I have found a little bit on some knife makers most seem to be in the north I land but there is 2 in the South Island. One of them does weekend classes but out of mild steel according to my father who did it with his mates. But in saying that still a good chance to learn. As for tools and steel I have been told of a website by someone who just started making knives as a retirement hobby, also need to find him again and see how he is going and pick his brain abit more

[jimmontg]

Well I do not know the situation in NZ. Also I don't like to say, is some makers don't want to share especially where there isn't much competition. Just human nature for some, but muddle through with what you have and do not accept mild steel for knife steel. Cheats and thieves would turn you to worst materials and then they"ll say they have better. 1070 or higher steel is what you want. 1084 being the target metal unless you can find some CruForgeV steel which was made for forging.