can you hand make a knife without a forge?

[tanto_dude]

I have some knife designs and i want to make some, can you make them without a forge (besides heat treating) and if possible, how?


thanks

 

[rpbali]

Lots of people (including myself) start out with stock removal. Basically you use files, grinders, hack saws, or whatever else you can to remove material from a bar of stock. That being said, you do need to heat treat them in the end, otherwise you just have a knife shaped chunk of metal, and not really a knife.

 

[bikermikearchery]

http://gbrannon.bizhat.com/60.htm
Something to read on the subject.

 

[Bruce Evans]

Yep...Stock removal is the way allot of knives are made.You just substitute a band saw for the forge then all the rest is the same.Lots of info on the net and lots of books written on the subject..Do a little studying and grab some steel and jump in with both feet,just be warned this knifemaking bug is very very contagious and no one has found a cure yet....

Bruce

 

[Rob!]

Absolutely! Everyone knows a stock removal blade is FAR superior to anything coming out of a forge. How can you expect any quality from something that's been repeatedly heated and bashed with a hammer. When they have taken all they can, they always give up and revert to stock removal anyhow.

I'm pretty sure they just think coal smudge on their faces makes them attractive - and it probably does - if you're a horse with sore feet.

By the way, I'm just kidding. Even a smith can turn out a pretty respectable blade. I wasn't kidding about the horse though....

Rob!

 

[TJ Smith]

Ouch
I'm going to watch this one.
I do mostly stock removal but you opened a can of worms again. Lets see where it goes.
Take Care
TJ

 

[Keith_H]

this was the first knifemaking tutorial that i read, http://www.hossom.com/tutorial/jonesy/

there are advantages and disadvantages for each method.

 

[texasrecurve]

That was good Rob, made me laugh.

 

[A C Richards]

Rob,

I see you offer Damascus, Like to see you make that without a forge....

 

[JTknives]

Yep...Stock removal is the way allot of knives are made.You just substitute a band saw for the forge then all the rest is the same.Lots of info on the net and lots of books written on the subject..Do a little studying and grab some steel and jump in with both feet,just be warned this knifemaking bug is very very contagious and no one has found a cure yet....

Bruce

knifemaking costs more than crack and is twice as adictive

 

[raylaconico]

I've made plenty of knives and never had a forge

 

[Bigfattyt]

http://www.knife-making-supplies.net/cheap-knife-tutorial.html

This is a good tutorial. It has tutorials on how to make micarta handle scales at home too. I am making one my self right now using this poor man's method. I am a bit further than this now, but need to take the pics.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa67/bigfattyt/Picture041.jpg

 

[sunshadow]

I was a stock removal guy . . .
then I got better

-Page

 

[fitzo]

tanto_dude, this article gives a good commentary on the forged versus stock removal silliness. http://www.cashenblades.com/articles/lowdown/lowdown.html

If one wants to forge, by all means it is a great technique for a knifemaker to have in his repertoire and I would encourage everyone who sticks with knifemaking to at least give it a whirl at one point. Is it the be all and end all of knifemaking? No. That is not to say, however, that it is not at the very core of why many make knives. For some, they would give up knifemaking if they couldn't forge. For others, it is fun but one way is just as good as the other. Others are simply not interested in forging and make very fine knives by stock removal. I personally fall into the middle category. Having made knives by both methods for years, I now find my body at the point it can't take the abuse of the smithy anymore. I don't feel any less the knifemaker for having returned solely to stock removal.

 

[C L Wilkins]

I have some knife designs and i want to make some, can you make them without a forge (besides heat treating) and if possible, how?


thanks

Yeah, I 'spose it's possible but you can't make a GOOD knife without a forge.

Running and ducking for cover!!!!

(Now, where is that popcorn...)

Craig

 

[Rob!]

Rob,

I see you offer Damascus, Like to see you make that without a forge....

Touche'

... but then again, I see you use 1084 steel. Perhaps you buy it from the same store I buy my damascus???

Rob!

 

[fitzo]

Yeah, I 'spose it's possible but you can't make a GOOD knife without a forge.
.......
Craig

Ahhh, as Father Mulcahy used to say, "Jocularity, jocularity!"

I think that introducing the absurd into these threads is always a good thing, Craig. Keeps them from getting too serious and divisive

 

[AfterTFD]

I see you offer Damascus, Like to see you make that without a forge....

Easy. Just buy a billet of damascus someone else made and grind off anything that doesn't look like a knife.

 

[NickWheeler]

Making a knife without a forge????

That's a good one.

Next thing you're going to tell me you saw pigs fly by your window!!!

 

[fitzo]

Making a knife without a forge????

That's a good one.

Next thing you're going to tell me you saw pigs fly by your window!!!

One would think that what with the fotos you've been posting of that pretty girlfriend that you'd have something better to do with all that excess(ive) testosterone than harass stock removal knifemakers.

At least, that's what Nanc said!