PA Knifemakers?

[T.G.]

Hello,

I'm interested in knowing of makers in my region.

My location is 45 miles SSE of Pittsburgh.

Anyone within approx. a 100 radius out there?

I,m just getting my shop set up and materials & tools bought/ collected in prep of start up and the resulting first knife.

Regards,

[T.G.]

Before someone else points it out, I will.

Within a 100 mile radius of my location are located parts of WV, OH, and MD. As the crow flis you could probably even just make it to VA.

So my above post applies to all in my area, not just folks from PA.

[jasdul]

Hey T.G. I think i am pretty darn close to you I am in waynesburg I am just a rookie knife maker but I guess it still counts.Where would you be located at it ?Has to be pretty darn close to me.Its nice to see someone is so close I was starting to wonder if there was anybody around.Look foward to talking some moer with ya!!!


Jason

[birdog4]

TG
I'm in s Armstrong co.
How about you? bruce

[T.G.]

Hi Jason & Bruce,

I live in the village of Tarrs which is about 5 miles from New Stanton on the PA Turnpike.

Hey Jason, at least your a rookie! Up to this point my experience consists of putting oak scales (when I did it I did'nt know they were called that on a machette & also buying a blade (full tang) and building a handle & sheath for it. Actually salvaged the leather from the machettes' sheath which was shot at the tip.

With the weather breaking I am setting up my first shop in a concrete shed out back. Ran the power underground already.
Basically gotta set up my Grizzly 2" by 72" and a large drill press as I have enough supplies bought to make 3-4 knives.

Where are you guys at as to making knives. What kind(s) do you prefer?

[birdog4]

Tarrs?? That's not far from Hunker and Turkeytown:-)
I make just about whatever strikes my fancy as long as it's a hunter or fighter of some type. "Hawks too sometimes.
Griz and a drill press?? Get to grindin' and make some knives!! :-) bruce

[T.G.]

Yep, Hunker & Turkeytown is right.

I like camp knifes, bowies, and everyday carry/ utility types. The last would make a good trout and small game blade.

Liking them and makin them is two different things and like you said- time to get making them.

I'd also eventually like to do a mariner's knife, which would be serrated for emergency line cutting. I've spent alot of time in remote waters, including commercial fishing. A good knife, whose most important possible duty is in a life & death situation, is a comforting close companion.

[birdog4]

Didja know there is a blacksmith group meeting in Scottdale every Thursday night? Not really any bladesmiths per se
but a good place to learn the basics and to see what you'd need to get started if you're so inclined

[T.G.]

Actually lived in Scottdale from 10-30 yrs. of age and did'nt know about the blacksmiths meeeting. Though it may be (?) of recent origin and I"ve not lived there since "94".

I'm more inclined to go with stock removal, at least for now.
In the past I've had some training in, and some shop exerience in machining.

Would you start with an approx. 8 inch knife of 1/8" x 1 1/4" stock or a larger one (approx. 11-11.5") knife.

The smaller would be an everyday blade, flat ground.
The larger a camp knife, probably bowie style. The stock for the larger is 3/16" x 1 1/2". Both are D2.

[ragnik]

Thought I would jump in here,

I am from Pa and I wouldnt call myself a knife maker yet But i like playing around been at it for over a year now. I live in Duncansville Pa, near Altoona PA.

Hey Bruce Do you do mostly forging???

Ross

[birdog4]

A bit of both, Ross.
Now that the snow is off, I can fire up the forge:-)

[birdog4]

btw Ross, nice woodwork ya done there!

[dart]

I guess I am in n.w. pa.? Lawrence county area. Just starting to make a carving/knifemaking place in my celler. I have been working on it for about 6 months. I move kind of slow due to arthritis. Give me another 6 months and I should have the little space up and running. I have been making carving knives. If stange things would quit happening, I could spend more time on making my workshop. I hung a swag light in the living room and a 48" bulb fell out of the light in the workshop area and litterally exploded all over everywhere. Took all day to get the glass cleaned up. I got a load of coal and the gas wall furnace thermocouple quit. Everytime I get something fixed, something else breaks. I think the house is built on Indian Burial Grounds? Jim

[T.G.]

Good to know there are others relatively close who are also interested in knifemaking.

Sounds like a number of us are just starting up. Good fishing out by Altoona.b

[ragnik]

Tg:

Yep some good fishing out this way for sure. Great trout fishing too down the road a bit at the little juniata river. Raystown lake for strippers if you are into that(tried it with a buddy of mine never had much luck )


Bruce: Thanks on the bed. Going to try and get a small forge up and runnin this spring/summer and mess around some. I noticed you have never posted a pic of your knives. Whats the hold up would love to see some of yours!!! Take care


Ross