Newbie

[Hotled]

Learning allot here so I just want to stop and and say hi.

I’m 54 years old and I’m new to knife making.
I may have waited to long because a had a stroke and am now 1 handed.
But I’m gonna give it my all.

[M&J]

Welcome! That's the spirit- can do!

[Crex]

Welcome to the addiction (and the KNF)!
Great place to get help and find that little bit of knowledge that doesn't seem too easy to find. Always someone here who will share.
Suggest you fill out your profile, you might be right around the corner from one of us.

[Don Robinson]

So you're way up there in Wichita Falls! Been there a few times on my way somewhere else.

We'll help you any way we can.

Welcome!

[Doug Lester]

Welcome. You won't be the first one handed knife maker on one of these boards.

Doug

[Crex]

Yeah, Doug is correct there. I'm sort of a one arm maker for the next few months. Just had my shoulder repaired and it's going to be a good while before I can get back to swinging my favorite hammers. Know it's not quite the same, but I'm getting a taste.

Just remember, there are no stupid questions so ask away. Also avail yourself to the "stickies" and the "search" features here. Lot of great reference material stashed on this site.

[Hotled]

Thank you all.
I need some help on my equipment, now what to get and what not to get.
I’m going to go stock removal as I am One handed, I’m doing my first knife now, it’s a file.

[pcpc201]

Welcome aboard.
As Crex said be sure to make use of the stickies and the search features. Tons of information here.

[Crex]

What I'm running into for the most part is securing the work so it can be worked on without moving. Look into different types of clamps and holders that facilitate one hand operation - both the clamp itself and the practicality for one handed use. You will need a solid heavy immobile bench that won't move or wiggle/shake while you use it and you can secure your clamp/holder to.

Any power tools you have/get should be easily and safely operated with one hand. There are some actions/operations that you might be able to incorporate you body mass to stabilize and push or direct your tools. Give that some thought.

I would suggest finding a maker near you that you can visit their shop a few times and see what operations occur in doing stock removal knife. As you watch and observe think about how you can use what you have both physical skill and tool/equipment wise that will compensate for the "second" hand. Pretty sure you can work this out with a bit of thinking.

If you were closer, I'd be glad to help you work some of these things out. However I'm sure any of the makers out near you would be glad to help you get it figured out.

Wish you all the best in this new adventure.

ps - Just a thought - begin with thin stock so that you only have to shape the final cutting bevel and learn the basics of making a working blade. Let the big stock sit until you figure things out.

[Hotled]

I came across some 1095 , I was looking for 1080 1/8 x1.5 x12,
I have a coffee can forge , a harbor freight 1x30,an angle grinder, I know it it ain’t much but it’s a start.
I want to get some firebrick to build a forge for heat treat, and a drill press and some type of a guide to get
My grinds right.

[Crex]

Lot more than I started with way back when - Eastwing Framing hammer, chunk of reject tombstone, rod of 1/2" rebar, pine cone fire with my little brother as air blast source (trash can lid fan). You should have plenty to get started. Just be careful with the angle grinder, lot of torque.

[Crex]

Welcome DerekLyli. Be prepared to be over whelmed with info. Read through all the stickies at the top. Think out what you want/need to know to formulate your questions. The more concise your questions the better and more accurate the responses. Just keep in mind there are multiple ways to skin the neighbor's cat. You will have to be the one to decide what works for you.

Oh yeah, fill out your profile - you are probably closer to another maker than you think.