Knife Making Part Two

So today we actually started making the knives! It was a much easier ordeal than I expected. Being that there was no forging involved...the process was quick. (Unless you use a Dremel tool....do not use a Dremel tool unless you are doing finishing touches.) I cut my knife out of steel with a Dremel tool. It was a miserable experience. I would have been much better suited using the jig saw with a high speed blade as I had first anticipated doing. Once it was cut out and I got back home to grind it out...everything started taking shape very quickly. The worst part was putting the grinder together!

So here is the whole process...I missed taking pictures of the cutting process. I was too dirty to mess with the camera. I went to a friend's parents house to use the torch to cut the metal into a few different pieces. Then it was time for the Dremel...I cut the shape of the knife out (after my friend drew a design...I am not good at that) and took off for home. I got the grinder put together in the garage and started putting an edge on the knife. This only took a few minutes. My grinding resulted in something that resembles an actual knife that would cut something! Not just a chunk of metal.

The next step will be filing and sanding it down to exactly what I want it to look like when it is finalized...including drilling holes into the handle so I can mount a wood handle onto it. Then it is into the fire and oil to finish it up. I read that at point I should put it into the kitchen oven at around 400 degrees for say 30 minutes...repeat step 3 or 4 times. This will temper the knife and make it a little less brittle.

Good stuff eh? If you have any knife making tips go ahead and leave a comment. I would appreciate any help! Also, if you have any design ideas, please send them to me. I want to have a whole arsenal by summer time! :)

There is a chance of snow for the rest of the weekend and into next week. It sure looks like Monday and Monday night will give us the best chance. Other than that...temperatures will stay into the low to mid 30s during the day and COLD at night during the rest of the weekend...warming into the 20s for the remainder. Plenty of snowmobiling to do up on this hill yet. Just too bad wife said I cannot buy any more gas. Doh!

Goodnight from Northern Michigan!

-Derek