Forging the Blacksmiths Knife

[@doingitoutdoors7083]

Since I've been watching these videos and messing with blacksmithing. I've made some stuff, gave some stuff away and even sold some stuff. But my most satisfying achievement came this spring. I cleaned and butchered 2 wild turkeys with a knife I made from a chunk of coil spring, using skills and techniques learned from this channel and tong blanks from Ken's Custom Iron. I'm not one to blow my own horn and I might not be able to duplicate the success, but after cleaning the turkeys I did five strokes on each side of the blade on a ceramic rod and could then shave hair from my arm. Happy, happy, happy. Thanks, John.

[@Vtmtnman42]

I routinely beat these out of leaf spring and your process is almost exactly the way I do them.These are great for a beginning smith to learn skills and they're a useful and desired item.I could easily sell everyone I make,but I normally give them away in exchange for favors.

[@leonardmettlach2614]

I usually make them out of scraps of rebar and give them to friends, good practice but out of spring steel for sale

[@lughaidhcook3429]

I am a beginner smith only forged one thing I’m going to try one of these as my next project

[@northeastwoodsman9895]

I plan on using these to get back into the hang of things after taking more than a year off from forging due to moving and work. I figure it will be good practice of the fundamentals and good gifts for all the people who helped me during the moving process.

[@alexcruz8370]

​@@lughaidhcook3429😊😊

[@siegehammer63]

​@@lughaidhcook3429how did it go?

[@JarlSeamus]

I was just rewatching an older video you did a couple years ago (the original bending fork one) and wow, what a difference in production quality. Also it's really cool to see how you have grown as a lecturer/presenter. Your speech patterns and smoothness of flow has really grown. Keep going John, you're an inspiration to aspiring smiths everywhere.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks

[@dinodog6068]

Just wanted to say thank you for these videos. I've been teaching myself blacksmithing with only books and youtube videos to go on, and yours are some of the best.

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you like them!

[@douglasfathers4848]

Best Blacksmith teaching videos on You Tube. :)

[@kdarkwynde]

Definitely agree. John is probably the easiest Smith on KZbin to learn from.

[@siryizzur]

You inspired me a month ago with this very video to finally pull the trigger on getting started in blacksmithing. I have been subscribed to you for a while, but this was the video that finally made me get off my rear-end and go do it! A couple weeks ago, I set myself up with a double burner propane forge and a piece of railroad track wedged into a stump. I decided my first ever project would be this type of knife, the Blacksmiths Knife... I've been working at it for about 5 days straight now. I have been humbled quickly by blisters and sore muscles! This is the most satisfying and fun hobby I have ever taken up though, and I have to say I think my knife is coming along just fine for a complete beginner. I just wanted to sincerely thank you for inspiring me to finally try this out. I needed something like this in my life. I think I am hooked! Thank you Sir!

[@Superbonker-np6iz]

They said pickup blacksmithing, it'll be fun they said. Now few years later you're hooked and can't get away from it. 😂 I know the pain.

[@iwdavey]

My wife enjoys watching your videos with me. We were saying this morning how professional your presentations have become. Just a hats off to your efforts which are greatly appreciated and effective. 👍👌🧙🏻‍♂️

[@oshkoshbjosh]

My dad used to say that you can tell a hard working man by his hands, and the close ups of filing definitely confirmed that this gent is a hard working man. My dad also had amazing craftsmanship and I wish more of the younger generation had these kinds of skills.

[@pestlince13]

Some of us do, but not all. It's all cause people are lazy and prefer to work less

[@christubrett6597]

You are one of the biggest inspirations I have come across in a long time. I've been watching your channel for a couple months now, and you have inspired me to build my own coal forge, make my own anvil shaped object out of a piece of steel train track (the horn was an absolute nightmare to cut and shape). I've been out mining and gathering coal, and now I am happily on my way making hooks and candle holders. As my skill level has been increasing, people are been taking more interest in the things I make. I've made my first touch mark stamp yesterday, and now I think I am ready to start selling my goods. Thank you so much for all the quality content, and the constant reminder to get out(side) to the shop and make something

[@christubrett6597]

I learn something new every time I watch one of your videos

[@domstel8505]

Saw this video this morning and by this afternoon I had made 3 of them! This vid had great instructions and clear visuals. If you're wondering, the knifes i made are... functional, and more or less resemble the example in the video. But the intent was to try, not to master ;)

[@Chevelle_addict]

Cool projects. And you actually explain the how and why on a lot of the things you do. Best smithing channel on here.

[@wayneheitz8390]

The blacksmiths knife is a great useable practice for knife making. Thank you for sharing your process. 👏👏👏

[@-Honeybee]

I'm never this early! This is one of my favorite projects, and I learned it as a young beginner.

[@JohnFleshman]

Hey cool I finally get to see how my favorite small knife is made. I bought one at a Mountain man retreat close to 20 years ago. mine is made from a piece of cable that was forge welded into a knife.

[@JohnFleshman]

I think my knife is called a patch knife. total length is 5 1/4 inches but watching you make it bigger is very cool.

[@BlackBearForge]

This style would make a good patch knife

[@beatlebomber]

Very nice. I like how you showed the process without leaving the little steps out like others tend to do. I also like that you showed how to do it with the bare minimum shop tools.

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@maknifeandrods7701]

It’s nice to watch someone just make a knife without using his power hammer. That is something I have no room for or can afford. So all my knives are made this way. Thanks for a nice relaxing video.

[@imperatorcaesardivifiliusa3805]

I started out making copper and bronze age daggers. When I moved on to steel and iron work, the thing that shocked me in terms of the jump in advantages of steel of the modern world was how tough it became to hand sand blades. I'd comfortably hand sand up to 7000 grit on bronze but with steel I ended up having to put the sandpaper on the end of a Dremel.Long before hardening and tempering.

[@johnjude2685]

Been learning from you since I started over 3 years, You are the biggest reason I got enough including safety learning to have a safe and a beginning of Blacksmit knowledge to set up my ( pretty well equipment) shop , Like you we can do more than knifes. Thanks for the inspiration Mr. John Switzer " I owe you Sir:

[@rickardhansson1861]

Very nice! When I was learning blacksmithing 15 years ago I made one just like this. Here in Scandinavia we call them Women’s knives. I’ve never heard anyone call them Viking knives before, but I think I like that name better!

[@dismutased]

This seems like an easy knife design for a beginner blacksmith like me. I really appreciate all your videos. Simple plain talk, step by step easy instructions with clear explanations along the way. I am learning so much watching your videos!

[@michaelmarks8954]

I don’t dabble in blacksmithing but enjoy watching talent work.THANKS! 🇺🇸

[@Dojibu]

Definitely appreciate the showcase on how a little elbow grease can still get the job done.

[@mattn9805]

There are a lot of knife making tutorials on the web, but this is one is arguably the best I've seen for folk wanting to dip their toes into knife making without investing a ton of cash in unnecessary kit. Outstanding!

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks

[@pjamestx]

My package from Ken's showed up a couple of days ago, can't wait to give this a try, really appreciate the walkthrough!!!

[@jeffreymiller9706]

Sir...you make it look so easy. Your work is both an art form and a thing of beauty. Thank You for sharing your smithing tips with us!!!

[@troyroberts2452]

I use a shop magnet mounted to a piece of 2x4 that I use in the post vise, it allows one to file and sand as needed, looking forward to the next video

[@fullonaudio]

Everytime I watch one of your videos I learn about 10 things... Many of which are penny drop moment where you impart a pearl of wisdom, that in just a few sentences, explains and resolves a phenomenon that has cost me countless hours of frustration. Thankyou so much for sharing your experience!

[@0217am]

Thank you for making your videos. I dont blacksmith, but your video has a calming effect on me and helps me to wind down and sleep

[@jjppres]

Well done John! Great watch. I made my first couple of knives that way back when I first started. I quickly learned I needed to start buying some good power tools. Boy did that ever open a big can of worms. 5 years later I can barely get 1 more screw driver in my shop. Keep up the great work. I enjoy watching you make a knife.

[@eatwhatukiii2532]

Time for a bigger shop! 😉

[@randallhackworth421]

I just got my first forge, used your videos to set it up, dress a usable hammer, my anvil will be here within a week, also thanks to your videos. I can’t wait to make my first blade

[@ConfusedRaccoon]

Picked up a way, courtesy of our favourite baby-faced blacksmith Alec, to hold the knife to a hand sanding block, bit of painters tape on the blade/black and hot glue them together. works pretty good.

[@zaxthedestroyer675]

I made my first knife last month. It was really cool and I'm definitely hooked. I wish I could do more I'm living in an apartment complex though so unfortunately I have to wait to take classes

[@1noryb]

Thanks for the tool tips - not only do they make your tools work longer, they often improve their effectiveness.

[@timothymoore7890]

Thanks for another great video! I'm not a "full time" knife maker, but I make well over 30 per year. I haven't found any better ways to clamp blades for hand sanding than on a board like you did. Some people make and use a specialised knife vise from a piece of pipe. I only ever use mine when working on handles

[@jonathonfrazier6622]

I really enjoy these knives.

[@CreatorCade]

I’ve never seen anyone temper a blade like that before. I’ve heard of people warming up their quench oil with a hot piece of steel but never actually tempering with it. You learn something new every day.

[@glennwilck5459]

You can use the heat from the coals as well less precise but it can be done if your careful.

[@TheTomyossarian]

I absolutely love your videos. You are the Norm Abram of the Blacksmithing world!

[@billf9526]

Enjoyed your craftsmanship. First 100% manual project I've seen in a while and it was a great video. Especially enjoyed no fast-forwarding through your forging process. Nicely done.

[@thecreativecraftingtable8658]

That turned out wonderful! :) Honestly I checked your channel in every 20 minutes this afternoon because I could not wait anymore for your new video. ;) Thank you John and have a nice evening.

[@TheDeerInn]

I really like the roughness of the look and feel of knives like that one. Some of my most used knives are ones I am not afraid to use and get banged up. Very well done.

[@elund408]

likely the best tutorial on forging knives that I have watched. Clear, concise, and informative.

[@LoganSumrell]

I love that you have done it all by hand. Nice and slow and showing all the steps.

[@flpirate4565]

That was definitely Artistry, thanks for your video

[@gurvinderkau1e5w18]

Beautiful knife.Nice to see making bevels completely wid files.clamping handle on flat wooden blank or angle iron provide good surface for hand sanding or filung👍👍🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Executed38]

Awesome. Thanks for showing your process with hand tools. New to smithing. Live remote off grid. Only have hand tools (for now) so really appreciate showing what we can do with what we have. I really enjoyed this video. Thanks again.

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad to help

[@aaronzawicki6098]

I usually use a a piece of 1/2 square stock with the sand paper wrapped around it. Use the corners for heavy sanding and flats to smooth

[@BlackBearForge]

Great tip

[@markmcmeen287]

Another great video! It is really helpful to start with the most fundamental, manual techniques. When we have an understanding of what our "power equipment" is supposed to accomplish, we don't blame the tool for our mistake. Thanks for your encouragement and instruction.

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Camper-kw5yr]

This is the 4th time watching this video. I pick up small details each time.

[@muriellivermore2560]

You got a really rhythmic swing, a lot of technique. I can tell you been doing this a while.

[@Moondog-wc4vm]

This vid is an eye opener! I've made two of these under the supervision of my friendly local black/bladesmith. This method shows a completely different way of shaping the metal. I'm going to remember this! Thanks BB Forge for making me realise there is more than one way to shape the project at hand. Respect.

[@Squatchy9393]

I just made my first knife with my uncle today it is made of a railroad spike which I know is not the best steel but I'm just planning on using it for more household tasks

[@jeffreycarter1223]

I love this channel man, I swear this is my happy place

[@desertcoyote3707]

Great job again John, nice and simple project, u just gave an idea for the 1st Christmas gift! Thanks.

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad to help

[@larryweeks9165]

I am just getting into blacksmithing and enjoy your lessons for us beginners. looking forward to learning more your experience. Thank you for your time.

[@mrkiky]

As someone who makes knives with no power tools, I do all the filing and hand sanding until 240 before the heat treat since it goes much quicker. I wouldn't even dream of touching it with a file after heat treatment. A cheapo file gets me about 2 big knives, even when soft, before it wears enough to lose significant speed. I go up to 240 only because the scale from the quench is too hard to remove with finer grits.

[@glencrandall7051]

Nice knife. One can always use another knife. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.

[@Bobsutubes]

Thx John, very good demonstration using basic tooling.

[@traildust55]

I started smithing over 50 years ago (that is not 50 years of experience, but experience over the course of 50 years). I've never done a knife, but this might be the inspiration to try. Thanks John, great video as usual...

[@anmishel]

Люди работающие руками всегда заслуживают уважения ! Привет из России !

[@TheSolo1papi]

I just found your KZbin channel and you're very informative. I love the way you teach. Basic with an exceptional teaching style. I'm now addicted to your channel. Thank you for the informative content!!!

[@velocitywolf2431]

Wow! That turned out with a nice finish for sure. Neat little kit to see completed.

[@mangle40]

Damn. You are all that Sir. I love this wee knife! Love all your words of wisdom to learn technique.

[@dannyfiendsforge7325]

Thank you John for another great video. I love all of the little things and tips that you take the time to show. Thank you for being a great teacher!

[@Makestuff227]

I love this channel! Thanks for everything you do, your work is always incredible! Sending very best wishes from Scotland 👍

[@olofjansson9356]

Three simple but great holding hacks! Drill press vice hardy tool , vice grip angle iron in post vice, and woodblock, clamp in post vice! Great vid. as usual!

[@spaceboy5293]

Man you are an absolute legend. Love the way you work,make everything look simple. I'm about to get into this hobby and i am so excited, beautiful craft. Thank you sir!

[@Jason-jd1jv]

As usual, beautiful work. I like the simple lines on this knife. I've made a couple of these and none of them turned out as nice as yours did. I've really got to put a shop up to work in!

[@corsonforcas]

Hahaha loved that "no don't worry, the anvil is alrighty" at the end

[@diegopaulino6010]

Wow this one the most interesting thing I ever watched on KZbin really inspiring!!!

[@Larry-j2y]

I like the twists it adds a subtle hInt of detail very tastefully 🎉

[@karm65]

I often use course/medium stones like you can get from HF and other places cheaply. I buy them three at a time and spend a few hours between jobs rubbing them together in figure eights to ensure they stay flat. They remove forge scale and do basick shaping as well as files but are cheaper. I still have to use files occasionally as the stones are large-ish and flat and not good for detailed work but for strateing and simple bevels they work well.

[@joshuawallace2704]

That was one of the best and most informative lessons I've watched. Thank you, and I look forward to watched more.

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DragonHeart5150]

Good video to make a cute little camping knife by hand. At this point in my life I would using all electric tools. I just don't have strength in wrists any more.

[@BlackBearForge]

My preference is to use the power tools as well. But sometimes beginners need to see that they can do it even if they down own the power tools.

[@JC-vb2kd]

Very nice knife & it was really cool to see how it was done without the power tools. Thanks!!

[@ericseegers5950]

Great video sir. I really love making little knives like that. Very handy.

[@johnfollansbeeiii152]

I wrap my handle in a few layers of suede then place a flat bar inside and wrap once more and C clamp forms the leather to grip the whole sandwich.

[@coaltowking]

Love this! I know what I'm doing when I get home.

[@paulorchard7960]

Thanks John,I was going to ask the question about the heat sink sitting on the anvil!

[@pestlince13]

For the edge using a cross peen or fuller helps spread the steel the way you want. It also helps draw out the tang and blade all together.

[@dalemeyer8207]

I like that handle ect.... Lot to jigs and procedures on making a knife .

[@looselycollected7505]

Why PBS hasn't swooped in and offered you a show, I'll never know. This show belongs next to shows like New Yankee Workshop. Great stuff.

[@Jarastlad]

As usual a very nice video. Thanks for going to the trouble of explaining that the most important thing in this skill is to get going. Equipment is not the important part of it, will only is important (though I'm out of belts for my grinder, I'm having to do everything by hand again and in short notice, it's quite impressive to see the amount of time machines save you ... when you know how to use them). But anyways, thanks very much, keep your videos going they are inspirational and make me want to forge more and more !

[@douglasfathers4848]

First Class how to videos with out power tools. Thanks John . :)

[@GoboBox]

Nice video! Thanks for posting it.

[@Smallathe]

A very cute and wonderful project. Thanks!

[@threeriversforge1997]

Great show, as always. I've never made one of those knives because I don't like the look, but I might have to give it a try just to say I did it!

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Very nice job John it turned out very well there. Very nice job in this video. Very helpful and definitely useful and information video as always. Thank you. Can't wait to see more videos John. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend John. Forge on. Keep making. God bless.

[@evanhough60]

I do these pretty much the exact same way it’s how I got started into knives and it helped develop lots of good skills, I handsand the knives on a block like that but I keep the tip over the block so you cut down on the number of times you stab yourself by accident while hand sanding

[@anthonycollora2921]

Inspiring work indeed

[@Wolfram762]

Awesome video man and that's a great looking knife as well!!

[@jessehubbard9133]

Good video that round face hammer did a good job on that

[@askoseppanen3779]

Very nice knife, I have forged one big knife like this. I forged the handle so that one can grip the knife closer to the cutting edge and it was quite precise and light to use and you could also grip farther back of the handle to give more reach out for the knife.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Great job John, great looking knife too. Sure enjoyed watching you make it. Fred. 🙏🏻🙏🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻✋🏻✋🏻

[@lecompterc83]

Forged bevels?!?! I thought your were just supposed to take it to a grinder and hog off the bevels… oh wait… that’s “forged in fire”… thank you for your dedication to showing what can be done with a hammer and file! The knife turned out beautiful! Oh and thank you forget angle-iron/vice grip tip!

[@philochristos]

This was a great demonstration. Your voice sounds just like J.P. Moreland.

[@ericcartrette6118]

I'm a knifemaker. I've often wondered how a filing vise would work for filing edge bevels. Great project!

[@johngissendanner5836]

Thank you for doing this video

[@andreasfrank6544]

Hey John it is always a pleasure to see you doing this work and it looks so simple! But it is that simple! Nice knife and a cool video! I am exiting to see your next work! 🖒👌

[@andreasfrank6544]

I'm always interested in blacksmithing for year's but your videos giving me the last step to build my own workshop to try out! It is always a pleasure to see you doing this work and it is a inspiration! Thank you very much! And greetings from Germany

[@arnaldoalegria2209]

It's a beautiful knife

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Very nice shop project. Enjoyed.

[@secondhandlyon2603]

That's a pretty nice anvil.