Since last year’s BLADE Show, I have concentrated some of my spare time into making knives from the materials I purchased there (see last posting). It has been slow going because I am rebuilding my small shop of tools, which were lost in an ex-wife’s hostile fire sale, from scratch.
I cleared out the front of my one-car garage and had to decide what I would need to buy from my modest discretionary budget. Guess a work bench would be nice. I bought a sturdy one from Husky. Heavy sumbitch.
Thinking back, I had no desire to work from just files and sweat as I had when I made a few knives in the early 1990’s. Back then, I had later purchased a Jet brand 1 X 42″ belt/disc grinder and I thought something like it would be just fine for what I wanted to do. After shopping for power tools, I settled upon a Grizzly 1 X 42″ combo grinder and a small Grizzly bench drill press. I ordered them. When they landed, there was some assembly was required.
Everything went together well and ran as advertised when powered up. So, a trip to the hardware store to buy files, drill bits, clamps, hacksaw blades, sandpaper, and other items was next on the list. I also began clicking through the online catalogs for Knifekits.com, Masecraft Supply Co., USAKnifeMaker.com, Texas Knifemaker’s Supply, and others to find ideas, materials, and additional supplies. Oh, and I began leafing through back editions of BLADE magazine for inspiration.
My goal is to build three small fixed blade knives from the Alabama Damascus steel blanks and handle materials I purchased and greedily stuffed into my backpack at the BLADE Show. I know it will be a long road, but I have some idea where it leads. Onward and upward! This is kind of exciting.
Wilson
Nice! Don’t forget to look at KNIFE Magazine for some inspiration and help as well!
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Good tip, Bryan. Not one I usually read…
Wilson
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Outstanding Wilson! A knife shop on a budget. This is great, being in on it from day one. I’m a fan already. I expect that this will be very interesting. Best of luck with it. I’ve built a few shops over the years and might make a suggestion now and then if you’re interested. Will be looking forward to your next post.
Best Regards,
Lew
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Thanks, Lew! Any advice is welcome.
Wilson
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