DIY knifemaking is an incredibly popular hobby, but it can be tough to know where to start. Looking for a helping hand? Look no further! We’ve put together a handy guide to the basics of knifemaking so you can get started on your new journey right away.
If you’re just starting out, then the best thing to do is keep it simple. But, don’t worry; you’ll have plenty of time to get intricate once you’ve got the basics mastered.
Choosing the Right Steel
The first place you should start with any new project is the materials. Without the correct materials, your project could be doomed before you’ve even begun!
Unfortunately, steel is a rather confusing subject on its own. For example, did you know over 3,500 different steel grades are available on the market, each with differing properties?
When it comes to steel, there is no right or wrong answer. Instead, it’s important to pick a steel grade with properties most suited to its intended purpose. For example, a kitchen knife requires different properties to an outdoors knife.
A kitchen knife is almost always made from stainless steel to prevent corrosion from regular washes. In contrast, an outdoors knife would need to be durable and hold a sharp edge without dulling quickly, making M2 steel an ideal choice.
To determine the most appropriate type of steel, you must first decide what your intention is for the finished product. Do you want to create a hunting knife? Or maybe you’re looking to make an ornamental, decorative piece? Once you’ve decided, you can then work backwards from here and determine the most important properties you require from your material.
Then narrow down your options by comparing the properties of different steel grades. We recommend using a grade of tool steel, as they are usually the best all-rounders and they’re easy enough to work with without any prior experience. High-grade tool steels are available at https://sheffieldgaugeplate.co.uk/tool-steel/.
Deciding on a Design
Once you’ve identified the most suitable steel type for your project, you can begin designing the knife. This part of the project varies from person to person; while many prefer to use computer software like CAD, others prefer to keep things more traditional and design their knives using pen and paper.
Ultimately the decision is up to you. If you have experience with design software, it could be helpful to put those skills to use. However, if that’s also something new you need to learn, it would probably be better to stick to what you know!
However you decide to do it, make sure to keep the design of your knife simple. If you already have a favourite knife, or maybe one that feels exceptionally comfortable in your hand, try to recreate it in its most fundamental form.
Using the Correct Tools
Once you’re happy with your design and you’ve got your materials measured out, it’s time to think about tools. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of going out and buying every piece of knifemaking-related apparatus they can find.
If you can easily afford to do that, then no problem – go ahead. However, we’re here to remind you that having all the tools won’t make you a pro overnight.
All you really need to get you started in DIY Knifemaking is the following:
A Workbench
A Bench Grinder
A Drill Press
A Vice
A Propane Torch
A File
As you continue on in your knifemaking journey, it can be beneficial to invest in better equipment. Not only can it help to save time, but it can also help to produce a higher quality finished product.
However, the only way to become an expert knifemaker is through practice! Taking your time to master the craft, learning from your mistakes and building your knowledge and skills as you go.
Knifemaking can be an extremely rewarding hobby, so what are you waiting for? Get crafting today using our basic tips.
If you’re a big fan of knives, but maybe DIY isn’t your thing, why not check out our top tips for choosing the right hunting knife here.
Watch “Forged In Fire”; very entertaining and instructive.