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Getting Started Metal Forging / Knife Making

throwittoblythe

throwittoblythe

Well-Known Member
Aug 7, 2006
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Minneapolis, MN
Thinking about starting this as a hobby. I don't want to spend thousands to get started, so thinking about building my own forge based on the video below.

Any other CF'ers do this? Any tips for getting started? Do/don'ts and must haves?

I think it would be fun to learn how to make knives and other tools specifically. That, or I've been watched way too much Forged in Fire while working from home.

 
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throwittoblythe said:
Thinking about starting this as a hobby. I don't want to spend thousands to get started, so thinking about building my own forge based on the video below.

Any other CF'ers do this? Any tips for getting started? Do/don'ts and must haves?

I think it would be fun to learn how to make knives and other tools specifically. That, or I've been watched way too much Forged in Fire while working from home.

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Always thought it looked like fun, but I know I would hurt myself somehow.
 
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throwittoblythe said:
Thinking about starting this as a hobby. I don't want to spend thousands to get started, so thinking about building my own forge based on the video below.

Any other CF'ers do this? Any tips for getting started? Do/don'ts and must haves?

I think it would be fun to learn how to make knives and other tools specifically. That, or I've been watched way too much Forged in Fire while working from home.

Click to expand...

See if you can Contact Dr. John D. Verhoeven, Professor Emeritus in Materials Science at ISU. He has extensive knowledge in this area and has worked with bladesmiths around the world.
 
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I bought a knife blank at the end of last year.
Getting a consistent edge proved difficult when I was shaping the blade mainly due to the lack of tools and a workspace. This like most things I assume gets easier with experience. Also will build a guide to keep a consistent angle when grinding the steel when I do this again. I knew the first one would be more of a practice blade.

For quenching I tried using a foundry I built out of a steel bucket and refractory cement but the torch I had didnt put of enough heat to heat up foundry so I tried using the torch directly on the steel it worked but not well. In my inexperience I didn't heat the steel evenly and it warped terribly the first time. Hammered it back flat and heated again being more careful to heat evenly. Used the magnet trick to see if the steel was hot enough to harden when quenched. My steel was 1095 stainless and I read it loses its magnetism just before it reaches the proper quench temp. Used vegetable oil as it was cheap and available but if I get more into it I will get quenching oil.

I bought a 1x30 belt sander from harbor freight for $30 to help shape the steel and handle. It is far from a great tool but it worked.

I dont think I got the steel hardened, but I am going to do it again and i will either build a forge or buy a cheapish one on the eBay that has decent reviews.

Before I do this I will build a proper work bench though and get the tools I need to make the process easier.

I used cutting board oil on the handle i made out of cedar as it is what I had and am fairly happy with how the handle looks. Overall theres a lot I can improve upon but it's a learning experience.
 

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Isualum13 said:
I bought a knife blank at the end of last year.
Getting a consistent edge proved difficult when I was shaping the blade mainly due to the lack of tools and a workspace. This like most things I assume gets easier with experience. Also will build a guide to keep a consistent angle when grinding the steel when I do this again. I knew the first one would be more of a practice blade.

I used cutting board oil on the handle i made out of cedar as it is what I had and am fairly happy with how the handle looks. Overall theres a lot I can improve upon but it's a learning experience.
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Nice job! That looks nice, especially for a first try. How did you do the handle pins? And what was the knife blank like when you first started? It was already shaped and just needed sharpening?

The video I posted above is a pretty simple/small forge, but I think it would do well for small to medium knives. And, if you wanted to go longer I'm guessing you could just add length and maybe a second burner. I already do woodworking so my wife has told me I don't need another hobby, but I really want to try this at some point. An anvil would probably be the most expensive part.
 
I did a blacksmithing class at Living History Farms a few years ago. Really enjoyed it. Beating on hot pieces of metal was very therapeutic

Check Craigslist for supplies. I see anvils and forges listed on there occasionally
 
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Angie said:
My advice would be "don't get hurt right now when the ERs are overtaxed." ;)
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Solid advice. This is definitely a post-COVID undertaking. I'm not about to go spend $300 on supplies for a hobby until I know my job is secure.

Though making your own weapons from scratch could be useful in the post-apocalyptic wasteland.
 
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throwittoblythe said:
Nice job! That looks nice, especially for a first try. How did you do the handle pins? And what was the knife blank like when you first started? It was already shaped and just needed sharpening?

The video I posted above is a pretty simple/small forge, but I think it would do well for small to medium knives. And, if you wanted to go longer I'm guessing you could just add length and maybe a second burner. I already do woodworking so my wife has told me I don't need another hobby, but I really want to try this at some point. An anvil would probably be the most expensive part.
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The knife blank was complete. I was watching the waterjet youtube channel, and at the end of a video, they showed their knife blanks and decided I would try it. This is the link to their page https://waterjetknives.com/
I guess using the waterjet to cut the steel doesn't heat it and affect its structure like a lazer can.

For the pins I bought a length of 1/8 steel rod, but from what I've seen pretty much anything the right diameter would work. I used J.B. Weld marine grade two part apoxy to hold it all together. It was a 24 hr apoxy. I didnt want one that set up before I was ready for it to. The pin holes were in the knife blank and I drilled one hole in each side of the handle at a time using the pins to keep everything lined up.

I too am trying to find a good anvil without dropping a huge chunk of change.
 
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I have a friend from high school who started making knives as a hobby several years ago who happens to live in your neck of the woods (Minneapolis suburb). He now operates it as a small business. He's a really nice guy and could probably give you some tips on how to get started. Here's his website: https://www.weswerblades.com/
 
throwittoblythe said:
Nice job! That looks nice, especially for a first try. How did you do the handle pins? And what was the knife blank like when you first started? It was already shaped and just needed sharpening?

The video I posted above is a pretty simple/small forge, but I think it would do well for small to medium knives. And, if you wanted to go longer I'm guessing you could just add length and maybe a second burner. I already do woodworking so my wife has told me I don't need another hobby, but I really want to try this at some point. An anvil would probably be the most expensive part.
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I bought another knife blank that arrived today. Looking forward to getting to work on it.
 

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NickTheGreat said:
You all are taking this apocalypse thing seriously
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Anyone ever tan their own leather? I found a cow with neat coloring and thought it would look better as a coat on me and as meat in my freezer.

Also, anyone know how to kill a cow?

Had a co-worker who was onto the metal works and that is definitely a hobby I'd love to dabble in. Would also love to do glass blowing...
 
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throwittoblythe said:
He's got some great videos on his channel recently where Will Stelter makes knives with simple tools he bought at the hardware store. It's a good intro for us newbs.
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I haven’t decided to pick up the hobby yet, but he’s one of the reasons why I’ve considered it. He’s posted several videos over the years about how to get started for under a couple hundred dollars.
 
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jdoggivjc said:
I haven’t decided to pick up the hobby yet, but he’s one of the reasons why I’ve considered it. He’s posted several videos over the years about how to get started for under a couple hundred dollars.
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Same. At some point this year, I'm hoping to build a simple forge like the one I liked in my original post here, and start making simple knives. Other than the forge and hammers, I don't know that I would need to acquire too many tools other than maybe a belt sander, just to speed things up.
 
throwittoblythe said:
Same. At some point this year, I'm hoping to build a simple forge like the one I liked in my original post here, and start making simple knives. Other than the forge and hammers, I don't know that I would need to acquire too many tools other than maybe a belt sander, just to speed things up.
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Belt sander for sure. This ain't fuedal Japan.
 
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