**Need advice with Knife Making**

[WagonMaster]

Hi I am new to the site and trying to learn to make knifes, I saw a video on YouTube and did a little surfing on the web, and have made several blades the first one I made is so hard and brittle that you can't get a edge on it, It won't get sharp.
from what I understand you heat the blade up till its red hot then let it cool, Then after it cools you cut and shape the blade the way you want it. then heat it and quench the blade. to harden it , and I think your supposed to heat it again But not sure why you would heat it again.
I sure would be grateful if some of you all would let me pick your brain and help me with the procedures for making a knife . I'm a OTR Truck driver and don't have a whole lot of time off, But would love to make a few knifes and also want to make stuff outta metal, I just built me a forge and got a Anvil last weekend .
For about the last five years fishing has been my favorite thing to do when I was off, and don't get me wrong I still like to get out there on the Cumberland River and do battle with a big Catfish, But life is short and I ain't getting no younger and if I'm ever going to learn anything about making knifes and stuff outta metal I got to get at it. You all have a good evening...Tom

[Dodge]

The first time you heat and quench, It hardens the steel. As you have found, this is too hard and now needs to be tempered. This is a process of re heating without quenching to soften it just a little so its not brittle, but tough. Entire books are devoted to this subject and I'm sure others that know more about it than I do will give their input, but check out the Blueprint pages also. I know there is at least one BP on heat treating. The main thing is that heat treating is usually not just one step. First you harden, then you temper. Hope this helps

[Ken Kelley]

Tom,

Here's a web site with plenty of information to get you started on making some knives. Spend a few evenings reading through some of the tutorials and then go beat on some steel.

Information on making knives

Ken

[WagonMaster]

Thanks Ken, I went to the site and The info is there and I plan to spend alot of time in there getting educated...

[WagonMaster]

Originally Posted by Dodge

The first time you heat and quench, It hardens the steel. As you have found, this is too hard and now needs to be tempered. This is a process of re heating without quenching to soften it just a little so its not brittle, but tough. Entire books are devoted to this subject and I'm sure others that know more about it than I do will give their input, but check out the Blueprint pages also. I know there is at least one BP on heat treating. The main thing is that heat treating is usually not just one step. First you harden, then you temper. Hope this helps

Thanks for your quick response, I've got a whole lot to learn . LOL .... Have yourself a great day...Tom

[EdCaffreyMS]

Hi Tom!

Welcome tot he wonderful world of Bladesmithing! I won't go into what the other folks have already covered, but I will say that its always a learning experience. I've been at it for 25 years, and every day I walk through the shop door, I learn something new. I suppose thats why I've always remained excited about it.

Working with carbon/alloy steels is a totally different animal if you've never done it. Each type has its own set of temp ranges for forging, and all the other steps involved. Its just a lot of fun.

You should join in with us on Friday evenings at 10pm EST for the knife chat. Just go to the upper right hand corner of the forums page and click on "Chat", then type in a user name and your password. There are all levels of experience, and everyone is welcome to discuss knives and knifemaking. We generally go for about an hour, or until the conversation dies down. Its a great place to learn and interact with other makers.

[WagonMaster]

thanks for the info on the chat, I wished I had seen this post last nite, I would have dropped in, With my job its hard to plan anything, But I'll try and make it one nite, Maybe next friday. Have a good one..Tom

[Ratel10mm]

Hopefully without upsetting or denigrating anyone here, I strongly suggest you visit Don Fogg's forums Don Fogg Custom Knives and also British Blades British Blades. Both places have a huge amount of info & help available for people new to the subject.

And Ed is one of the world's leading knife makers, so listen to anything he has to say on the subject!

[WagonMaster]

Thanks for the good advice, I plan on being in the chat room tomorrow nite, If I don't mess around and forget it. And when I get a chance, I'll check out those sites you mentioned, Thanks again..Tom

[azmike]

Tom, welcome. you will find that the knifemaking community (here and other sites) is top shelf. hope to "see" you for the friday nite chat -- azmike