Homemade Knives The Old Fashioned Way
It’s not really hard to make homemade knives, you just have to know how. I’m about to show you here.
Over 20 years ago an older gentleman living in the Georgia mountains in the north end of the state volunteered his time to teach me how to make homemade knives.
He would go around looking for used hand saws for the knife metal because the older steel was so high grade. They had to be at least ten years old back then so that would mean over 30 years old now.
He would first clean the light rust off a saw blade by using fine sandpaper. Then he would grab a knife pattern and trace it onto the steel with soapstone. You need to make sure whatever pattern you use allows for the steel all the through the handle.
His cutting method was the most surprising of all. He would use a cold chisel and hammer to cut out his knife blanks. That way, he told me, you don’t take the temper out of the steel like a torch would.
I still start my knife making process just like he did, but from this point on I’ve modernized it some. I’ve added a couple electric bench machines to make it faster and easier.
I bought a grinder and mounted a buffing wheel on one side. I grind metal on the right side and do metal polishing on the other side.
Another handy tool is a bench top belt sander. I use it to finish off my handles and for light stock removal of metal.
I got off track a little. Let’s move on now with making homemade knives.
After the knife blank is cut out, clean up the edges with the belt sander. Drill three holes in the handle area for rivets. Make those rivets (or buy them) from brass or copper stock.
Prepare your wooden handle slabs by making them the size of the handle on the blank and 3/8″ in thickness. Attach them to the blank on either side of the steel with your rivets. Peen them down to grip tight. Then smooth everything down with your belt sander.
You’ll now want to shape and sharpen you blade. Be very careful and work slowly. Use little to no pressure on the blade as you make steady passes down each edge of the blade. Tilt the knife at an angle of 15 degrees or so for your bevel.
Use a gloved thumb behind the tip of the blade to keep it from bending away. Use almost no pressure to do this.
Have a container of water close to quickly quench the blade when it gets too hot (and it will!). This process generates a lot of heat.
Keep making slow light passes down each side of the blade until you’ve got the sharpness you’re after. Polish the blade at this time if you like. Use jeweler’s rouge to add extra shine. You know what? After that you are finished!
After some practice, you’ll be able to knock out homemade knives in pretty quick succession, especially if you pre-make items like handle slabs. You’re going to like this hobby and you’ll always have some quick gifts to give family and friends!
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