shing
30-03-05, 10:26 AM
1. Grinding: Every knife maker needs to know how to grind a blade or a handle or both whether by hand or machine. Grinding jigs have their place but should not be a barrier to aquiring this basic skill
2. Filing: Shaping metal, wood and plastic with files is also a basic skill, folder makers need very accurate filing skills and a lot of files in different shapes, cuts and sizes.
3. Forging: For those with the facilities, forging is a traditional way of knife making and the only way to make pattern welded damascus. some would argue that a forged blade is superior to a blade ground from a steel flat.
4. Finish: A good finish makes a knife, knives are often jugded by the quality of finish, its a outward demostration of the makers skill and care into the creation of each knife. I like a fine hand satin finish because its fairly quick to do, easy for the user to maintain and dosen't leave the waveiness that a poor buffing job does.
The only way to aquire all these skills is to practise a lot, using a lot of steel, files, grinding belts and wood and plastic but you'll be amazed at the improvements from your first to your second and third knife
2. Filing: Shaping metal, wood and plastic with files is also a basic skill, folder makers need very accurate filing skills and a lot of files in different shapes, cuts and sizes.
3. Forging: For those with the facilities, forging is a traditional way of knife making and the only way to make pattern welded damascus. some would argue that a forged blade is superior to a blade ground from a steel flat.
4. Finish: A good finish makes a knife, knives are often jugded by the quality of finish, its a outward demostration of the makers skill and care into the creation of each knife. I like a fine hand satin finish because its fairly quick to do, easy for the user to maintain and dosen't leave the waveiness that a poor buffing job does.
The only way to aquire all these skills is to practise a lot, using a lot of steel, files, grinding belts and wood and plastic but you'll be amazed at the improvements from your first to your second and third knife