The art of knife making is still quite underrated. Although many knives are now mass-produced, the pure skill of developing a knife by hand remains unmatched. If you have recently started your journey with knife making, you must be aware of the struggles.
Don’t worry! We are here to make things easier for you. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, below we have made a list of tips that can make knife making easier for you. So, leave your blades for a while and read on!
Do not compromise on safety
The first and foremost thing that you need to follow is the safety procedures of knife making. Despite what the situation may be or how careful you may be, leaving your safety gears out of the equation is risky. So, make sure you have everything that you need, from gloves to respirators.
Test before you use
Using mystery steel without testing it is preparing for a disaster. Yes, there is a chance that the mystery steel will be alright, but what if it’s not? As a knifemaker, you will not limit any future risk. Therefore, you should test all mystery steels.
The tests that you can carry out to test the steel include the spark test, the fire test, and the break test. Although mystery steel is widely available and many people use it as well, do your tests before you use it for your knife.
Study heat treating
Heating your knife is an unavoidable aspect of knife making, and chances are you are probably doing it wrong. Therefore, before you go into heat treating, do your homework first. Below are some of the topics that you should focus on:
- Annealing
- Quenching Oil
- Ideal Temperature
- Normalizing, etc.
Begin with stock removal
Despite what anyone tells you, you cannot go straight into hammering a hot piece of steel. You need proper knowledge to get it right. Therefore, it is recommended that you go for stock removal instead.
Think about whether it is easier to hammer knives into shape or create them through grinding; it is the latter option that is easier. For beginners, stock removal is highly advised because it is easier as well as faster.
Practise drilling
Drilling is one of the most crucial as well as useful aspects of knife making. Moreover, it is considered a fundamental skill when it comes to knife making. Therefore, it becomes extremely important for you to get it right.
It is recommended that you go for a drill press. It is not necessary to buy expensive drill sets; just go for a good quality one. Also, remember to not just focus on drilling holes but also their sequence.
Conclusion
That was all! Now you know all the tips that can make your knife-making journey a lot easier. These tips all prevent you from any accidents or failed products. So, make sure that you include them in your knife-making routine, and remember to stay safe. Happy knife-making and crafting!
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