MEMBER ITEMS FOR SALE
Custom Knives | Other Knives | General Items
-------------------------------------------
New Posts | New PhotosAll Photos



Go Back   The Knife Network Forums : Knife Making Discussions > Custom Knife Discussion Boards > Knife Making Discussions > The Newbies Arena

The Newbies Arena Are you new to knife making? Here is all the help you will need.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-12-2002, 02:58 PM
lazywayze lazywayze is offline
Registered
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 1
Send a message via Yahoo to lazywayze
A beginner to Knife-making

Hi Folks,

My request is simple. I would like to make my own 'Bowie Knife' as opposed to buying an expensive and possibly, inerior article. I am not worried about using machinery or tools and I don't mind messing with heat and grinders.

I need to know
a) What kind of tool steel I need (Or how to temper something else)

b) Any sources for authentic designs. (ie. Are ALL bowie knives the same, or are there variations?)

Many Thanks



__________________
Cut-Away!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-12-2002, 04:31 PM
dogman's Avatar
dogman dogman is offline
Founding Member *SysAdmin*
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 240
Moved to Newbie's Arena - you will get a better response there.


__________________


"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell

"Kind-hearted people might think there was some ingenious way to disarm or defeat an enemy without too much blood. This is a fallacy." - Carl von Clausewitz
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-12-2002, 04:56 PM
Colin KC's Avatar
Colin KC Colin KC is offline
Master
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Kent, Europe
Posts: 775
Hey Lazy ,

Welcome.

Here's the quick answer to your questions:

1) There are as many steels & ways to heattreat/ temper/ grind/ forge... etc, etc, as stars in the sky (almost)


2) There are as many designs/styles... Oh heck, please refer to my previous statement



Well, you get the picture.

It's been said before, checkout all the bowies you can find & find one or more close to what you require & copy/modify to suit. After all no bowie's new under the sun.

Ask in the newbies forum (& others) which is the kindest/most forgiving... etc etc materials to begin with.


Let those who are offering advice have as much info as possible, e.g. your experience level at steel/woodwork/finishing & your workshop size/tools/friends tools are, & we can start from there

Having said that, it's an addicting road you've stumbled onto & you will not be satisfied with just one:evil :evil :evil


__________________
colin@britishblades.com
  • NT Freak'n Cow McIver
  • Knock, Knock
  • Who's There?
  • Cowsgo
  • Cowsgo Who?
  • NO, Cows Go Moo!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-12-2002, 05:08 PM
Colin KC's Avatar
Colin KC Colin KC is offline
Master
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Kent, Europe
Posts: 775
Having said that, checkout Gilbert (Gib) Guignard & Bruce Evans for ideas.

IMHO, ain't nobodies better at Bowies

Don't want to upset anybody mind, this is just my opinion & a couple of good places to start


__________________
colin@britishblades.com
  • NT Freak'n Cow McIver
  • Knock, Knock
  • Who's There?
  • Cowsgo
  • Cowsgo Who?
  • NO, Cows Go Moo!

Last edited by Colin KC; 10-12-2002 at 05:11 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-12-2002, 06:49 PM
Bladewayze Bladewayze is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Birmingham, England
Posts: 24
Send a message via Yahoo to Bladewayze
For Colin KC

Hi Colin,

'Lazywayze' had to become 'Bladewayze' to post in the Newbies Arena. Just wanted to thank you for the information you posted for me. Also that site you gave me is in my 'favourites' folder. Indeed, some lovely knives.

As I said, I am not unfamiliar with workshops, and I regularly heat-treat metal, when making woodwork tools that I can't buy. As I can't buy a bowie knife either, (and I love knives!) I thought I might try my hand. Maybe I am being over-ambitious, but then what else have I to do with time, now that all wifely demands for furniture and decor have been met?

Take care Colin thanks again and...


__________________
Don't find a hobby you can live with; find a passion you can't live without.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-12-2002, 07:40 PM
SVanderkolff's Avatar
SVanderkolff SVanderkolff is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Mildmay, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,472
a few suggestions

Probably the best thing you can do to start is to pick and read a few time some of the books on knifemaking. How to make knives by Barney and Loveless is one I use. I am sure others on the site will recommend other as well. I have found that 440C is a good relatively inexpensive forgiving knife steel with the added bonus of it being air quenched. Some non hardenable steel would also be a good idea for you to practice on. As I said, get the books read them then ask lots of questions at each stage. A large box for rejects is also a good idea. LOL
Steve
By the way if you can find a maker that lives in your area most are more than happy to give a newbie a hand.

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-13-2002, 03:25 AM
Bladewayze Bladewayze is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Birmingham, England
Posts: 24
Send a message via Yahoo to Bladewayze
Hi SV

Hope it's okay to call you SV.
Thanks for you advice. I will search Amazon.co.uk for a book. If not there, abebooks.com usually have second-hand sources.

I noticed you asked about linseed oil finishes for wooden handles.

I might be able to help you. I always take the manufacturer's varnish off the wooden handles of steel bodied planes, and coat the wood with linseed oil. A few good coats, allowed to soak in over a period of time is a good method. With woodwork tools, of course, the regular use helps, and linseed mixed with good old sweat, gives a patina and a comfortable feel, you can't get any other way.
Buy RAW linseed oil in quantities as large you can get. Fill a few one pint bottles, (corked or metal screw-stoppered) place them on a high shelf and leave them alone for a few weeks. The oil will clear like a fine wine. You'll know, you can't drink the stuff of course! However, the resulting oil gives a great finish on most woods, especially the dark coloured varieties. Once a satisfactory build-up of oil is achieved, the occasional application of real furniture wax, keeps that handle really superb. Oh yes! Anyone who happens to practice oil-painting, will also be able to use the oil with their paint. It is that 'refined'. Much cheaper than those tiny bottles you find in the Art shops!

Take care and...


__________________
Don't find a hobby you can live with; find a passion you can't live without.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-13-2002, 06:09 PM
Terry_Dodson Terry_Dodson is offline
Skilled
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 376
bowies

Hey you might want to check out this website, how to make a bowie with no electricity by Tim Lively.

http://www.livelyknives.com/knifemakingvideo.htm
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
forge, knife, knives


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:49 PM.




KNIFENETWORK.COM
Copyright © 2000
? CKK Industries, Inc. ? All Rights Reserved
Powered by ...

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
The Knife Network : All Rights Reserved