Homemade Brass Utility Knife

[@PaskMakes]

It's just an ordinary knife in function and it would be much easier to buy one with better features but I liked the idea of making a unique utility knife that I'll enjoy using. I enjoyed both designing it and making it. I know I'll get comments saying it isn't homemade but I made it at home and I didn't buy it so I reckon that makes it homemade. :)

[@Whisperblade]

home made is relative, I would call this homemade, I don't think anyone would expect you to forge blades, especially not the Stanley knife type blades you are using.

I would like to know a little bit more about you since you seem to have a lot of experience in different things. Maybe you can make a video and tell us about you and your maker life? You are one of my favourite youtuber - a perfect mix of Jimmy Diresta and Matthias Wandel 😉

[@TheIdeasGuy]

Konstantin Köhler I agree!

[@forestlampcraft472]

COOL!

[@justinator1010]

I reckon that would look great in copper with brass inlays untreated so it gets a nice patina

[@AronGreen]

I really like it but it'd be nice to have some flush screws instead of those sticking up.

[@schlomoshekelstein908]

or big hex head thumbscrews so u can open it without tools

[@twowheelsclubseals]

Good chance to make one yourself

[@tobiassolas8042]

maby some nice TI screws?

[@ryandetzel6530]

SIMPLE BUT ELEGANT FOR A UTILITY KNIFE ... WELL DONE AGAIN!!! Nice to have something enjoyable to watch on a screen, thanks bro!

[@DanKoning777]

Its not always just how *perfect* something is; its is a great example of *hand made/unique/useful/one of a kind all-in-one* which you can't buy! Well done.

[@PaskMakes]

Absolutely Dan - I agree! :)

[@tharemyhopkins5873]

Awesome! Far more enjoyable to use things you've made yourself. I really like the double inlays.

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks Tharemy - I absolutely agree! :)

[@Phoeff99]

Milling brass with a Trim router. This opens up so many options. Awesome idea and product!

[@PaskMakes]

I was confident it would do it but I was surprised quite how well it worked. :)

[@JoesWorkbench]

Brass and aluminium are fine with router bits, take it slow and look out for the shavings they tend to get everywhere. Some people say once you use a bit on metal it’s no good for wood but I haven’t found that to be the case. 👍🏻

[@HenryPiffpaff]

@@JoesWorkbench Regular HSS steel? Not carbide bits?

[@JoesWorkbench]

Kai E. Both will work, I tend to use cheaper hss just incase a trash them 🤞

[@bushratbeachbum]

If you do ali, wax your cutter to stop swarf sticking to it, same goes for saw blades and files etc

[@sanankynaston9925]

What I really like about your videos is that you always explain what you are doing, and why you are doing it. Great!

[@DugMcClure]

You did just,fine, Neil. No doubt!

[@carnright]

So beautiful an heirloom for sure! And thank you for showing that woodworking tools are enough for brass when care is taken!

[@alanmuddypaws3865]

Lovely knife! The brass looks very classy. If I were to make one like that I might sweat the two halves together with solder. It would still need care not to overheat and melt the solder, but you could get it hotter than an epoxy glued assembly. Not meant as a criticism, just an observation.

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks Alan! I did think of solder as a possibility but never doing anything like that, I wasn't sure! I just went with what I knew. :)

[@carnright]

TIG maybe?

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

Alan Muddypaws. Hey Allen, it’s funny how many ideas / improvements you can come up with once you see an idea. My first thought was to solder as well, then I thought instead of machining out the blade rebate why not get a strip of stainless steel the same thickness as the blade and solder all three pieces together. That would look awesome I think and I would use S/S countersink screws. It’s all good in hindsight but I would never have thought to make a utility knife in the first place so full credit to Pask in the first place. Cheers Stuart 🇦🇺

[@mattylarkspur9858]

i still LOVE this design. i feel like it wouldn't be hard to adapt it to be retractable. if you ever felt like revisiting it, that would be worth seeing!

[@shihan1809]

Another great make. So nice to hear an English accent on a maker video. We Brits seem to be under represented :)

[@JDeWittDIY]

He's from down under, mate. :)

[@shihan1809]

@@JDeWittDIY omg! Not listening properly am I 😀

[@JDeWittDIY]

@@shihan1809 I get the accents mixed up because I'm from neither place. :)

[@tommyvega7948]

As always Pask, you're showing wonderful taste and design on top of your skills. More than anyone else!

[@scottsimpey2965]

Now to make a nice sheath for it so it would be a little bit better to carry around if you wanted/needed to. Very nice looking design.

[@al145]

This was pretty fascinating, thanks algorithm for leading me here, gonna have to look at more of your stuff. The bladeless wooden fan was the first one I watched.

[@frankherring6253]

That’s pretty cool Neil! Just a thought I had; if you left the two have separate and a mirror image of each other , you could make them scissor together. Open to extend or retract the blade and close to lock the blade in or store the knife. Thanks Man!

[@frankherring6253]

Halves not have, GD autocorrect!

[@Dusty-Builds]

It's really refreshing to see someone who knows how to use a 'Ball-Peen' hammer the way it's intended to be used. :)

[@martendavies]

Beautiful work sir!

[@coledouglas8915]

Your vidios are so good because of how you explain everything and the projects allways end up good

[@ianvicedomini2648]

I like it mate. The beauty of making one is you design it how you like to your own specifications. Great video chap. Be well

[@BobBlarneystone]

Since a utility knife is used by drawing a stroke or scraping, and should not be used with a heavy hand to stab or pry, I think I'll make one from ebony, and maybe with purpleheart trim, and if needed a thin brass bolster. I think I'll countersink flathead screws too. Incidentally, a utility knife blade fits in the small slots of Incra-Jig t-rules. That can be handy for incising marks.

[@updownstate]

Nothing better than something you make yourself.

[@martinwolf5957]

Very good work Nil wauuuuuuuuuuu 👍👍👍🙋‍♂️

[@johnscott8592]

Apart from the fact that it’s a lovely thing to look at, and I’m sure it will be excellent in the hand, what a fantastic little hand me down to keep in the family! Lots of memories to be had with a great little shop knife well done man. Js

[@deeranfoxworthy6069]

I don't have access to the most fancy tools and I really appreciate this project and I'd love to give it a shot! It looks quite feasible with hand tools. Thank you for the inspiration! I could always use a good utility knife!

[@PaskMakes]

It really could be done entirely with hand tools. I did think about making it that way but the belt grinder saves time and I never seem to have much of that. :)

[@deeranfoxworthy6069]

@@PaskMakes time is a tight commodity! I totally understand. I look forward to some hours of hand sanding though :P

[@GenoLoma]

@@deeranfoxworthy6069 "look forward to some hours of hand sanding".. Hahaha.. I'm sure @Stelter_Will over at @AlecSteeleSteel used to think that too.. 😆

[@GenoLoma]

@@PaskMakes great looking knife Neil.. 🙂👌👍

[@deeranfoxworthy6069]

@@GenoLoma hahah but he makes it looks so effortless though! Lol

[@philnash1643]

Nicely done mate

[@henryworkswoodandmetal]

That's a pretty sweet looking knife .... well done! Always enjoy watching your builds...

[@MR-ub6sq]

Hi Neil. 1) Do you know why commercial knives are not only 6 ... 9 mm thick of their body (only two brass plates facing each other), but MUCH more? The reason is this: When you have to cut something that requires more squeezing and pressing from the hand, it is much more hand-friendly to the skin when the body is rounded-edged and about 18mm strong. It does not apply too much pressure per square millimeter to the skin of the palm. It's pleasant and enjoyable to use! 2) It is true that if I have the right car factory in my home, then all the cars I make for sale are then "homemade cars". However, there is some contradiction in that. I leave the matter to smarter people than I am...

[@jeffdutton1910]

brass gives class...even a utility knife can be a beautifully crafted instrument. Splendid piece of work as always sir!

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks very much Jeff! :)

[@robshamel3210]

Love the copper\oak accents.. Nice work!

[@TheGrantAlexander]

That is super cool! Awesome job 👍👍

[@Smashachu]

Pask, i'd pay money to see you star in a a movie that takes place in a post apocalyptic world where you become a mad genius making and creating these really crazy gadgets out of scavenged parts around the city.

[@Atariks]

And again a nice peice of craftmanship. Thanks for that and I'm going to make one of these one day.

[@budlloyd3127]

lol that anvil is worth more than my car, love the knife!

[@timothyball3144]

Nice job there for a working knife. My first thought when I saw the thumbnail was Clickspring. I can only imagine what he would have done to make this, but I don't think that you would have wanted to use it because it was too pretty. He does incredible show work with brass, but for us mortals Neil, your work is great.

[@LyndonBontrager]

I always love your creativity, sir. There's nothing like a good utility knife and now you've gone and made your own. Beautiful work!

[@BudgetBuiltDiesel]

That knife is what I need. I used one everyday at work and this would work perfect with a sheath. It gets annoying flicking it open and putting it back in my pocket. Nice work. I’ll probably end up making one.

[@GoGreenMan]

Do you have a video about your dowel jig? Keep up the great work!

[@philipwarren7335]

Interesting build, I love the Diresta style table stabs

[@marleycharkwick]

A really pretty knife. Lovely.

[@striker851]

Glad to see the fires haven't stopped you

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

Great concept and a fun project to make.

[@jimpearson9151]

Great job, mate. custom made hand tools are a pleasure to use. The combo of brass, copper and Silky Oak is a good one. I'll borrow the copper/Silky idea for decorative pegs (covering screws!) on the next furniture project. We were in your neck of the woods in Sept on a long van trip... Cheers from Shoalhaven NSW

[@BeaverCraftTools]

Thanks for the interesting video! It's great to use the tools made by yourself.

[@diycreative9590]

Great idea I need to make one for my workshop

[@yannkitson116]

Replace the wood with magnets and you can stick it to the metal anywhere in your work van... (if you have one). I might take your idea and run with it to suit my job. Thanks for sharing!

[@billy19461]

I have got to try this. And yes it is homemade.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Awesome job Neil! Never seen a brass utility knife before

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks Rob - glad you like it mate! :)

[@torinhalsey6313]

Well done. Good looking knife. I liked the zoom move near the end.

[@SparrowStockwell]

That’s a good-looking utility knife.

[@WoobCrab]

Probably a silly question, is there any reason to use the white sand paper over the coloured stuff? I’ve seen both but don't really know what the difference is between the two

[@PaskMakes]

The white sandpaper is not the correct product for metal but I use it and it works fine. It will wear out faster though. :)

[@boryscholewinski4370]

Woo hoo hoo! This is going to a good one! Lets get comfy and watch.

[@UnoriginalElephant]

Nice zolly shot there near the end 😊

[@backyardblacksmiable]

Chamfer the holes where the pipe goes throgh and rivet them with a tapered punch.copper work hardens very easily and makes a decent rivet

[@Frostfly]

that's an amazing anvil. I love it. a big anvil is always better, there is little purpose (not no purpose however) to a smaller second anvil

[@Frostfly]

also, you don't need to heat that brass to stamp the logo. it's soft stuff(as you've already said). Rounding over your rivets is to prevent a problem that is better fixed by not having rivets that are too long. (clickspring shows how to do it really well)

[@PaskMakes]

@@Frostfly Thanks Robert! I love the anvil and can't wait to get it set up properly. I did a test without heating the brass up and I couldn't get the mark deep enough. I'll be using my fly press for this task when I eventually get that set up. :)

[@karl_alan]

Damn. I'd pay for one of those. That thing looks great!

[@PaskMakes]

Glad you like it Karl! :)

[@cameronchicken8439]

i have a fixed utility knife which i really like it’s the “shark knife”. this project is awesome

[@zhookeeper]

Spade bit tip for reamed taper is genius.

[@AJB2K3]

Looks very nice, now I want to make one!

[@Charles.Spillman]

I think you should do a tutorial on how to make a wooden utility knife iv looked up videos on them but can't find one

[@Garryck-1]

Beautiful work, and came out looking quite classy!

[@paulregner5335]

An excellent project. As creative as you are, I'm surprised you didn't go for a more decorative mosaic in your inserts.

[@x1teDota]

Great design be proud of it

[@BruceAUlrich]

Love the knife! The copper accents are a nice subtle touch. I think you accomplished what you wanted with the peened pins. They’re not very noticeable.

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks Bruce! Yeah the pins came out well, you can just see them at certain angles but you have to look extremely close for them! :)

[@luisyvital]

A mosaic pin would have been cool

[@Whisperblade]

As a Suggestion for the next one you make, or to improve this one if you can split the glued sections apart, instead of glueing the two handle pieces together, you could add holes + threads on the outer edges of the scales and bolt them together, then you could mill out a blade size cavity on the inside of the handle scale(s) (where you glued these two), if you do that on both the inside scales you could create a internal recess for 2 or more spare blades (only 1 spare? if just one scale had the cavity). This would make it so you could always have spare blades securely within the handle. This would make it more convenient for blade changes without having to move far from your work when you need to change the blade. Also for your own safety you may want to create some kind of end cap to cover the blade when not in use, seeing all your wood working video's I'm sure you are more than talented enough to turn, or make a suitable blade cover from wood, also adding a nicely turned cover to the handle scales would make it look even better :)

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks for the ideas! I wasn't worried about the blade being covered as I'll be using this just in the workshop. It'll be hung on the tool wall when not in use. :)

[@Gilyarth]

Really nice little project, and the knife turned out beautiful!

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Awesome utility knife !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@stevenA44]

Nice! Always like your projects and this is no exception. You're a true craftsman. Good job.

[@BensWorkshop]

Cheers for the tip on milling brass with a router.

[@rodriguesbob100]

So awesome. I love it. Love your work.

[@threeque]

Such a craftsman .

[@sapelesteve]

Nicely done Pask! I'd recommend making a cover for that blade & on the next one, make the blade retractable & inset the heads of those screws.......... 👍👍

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks Steve! I did think about making the blade retractable, but when I thought about it, I didn't really need that for a knife that's going to be used just in the workshop. The screws are out of the way of your grip so they are fine but if they had have been in the way I would've used inset ones. :)

Congratulations to 500,000 subscribers! 😊

[@JoeDavis82]

Best Maker knife ever!

[@billbaggins]

Another average job Neil 😁 Tapered holes give a great mechanical advantage for riveting. I use a 3mm round needle file to create the taper, much more control and a finer taper than a spade bit, the wider the taper the more risk of splitting the rivet when peening.

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks Bill, I'll keep that in mind for next time. :)

[@billbaggins]

@@PaskMakes Aminoolium filler rod is also good for rivets, much softer but still with enuf strength and the contrast can be very nice against brass or timber👍

[@Rouverius]

Functional with great aesthetics; what more could you ask for!

[@zvonibab]

Well done Mr Pask wish I have space you got1 AND YOUR WELDING IS GREAT!

[@kellycunningham4230]

Great looking knife. Thank you for the video.

[@dominikzastrau7198]

One more reason to build myself a Beltsander 😅. Nice knife, I think I give it a try

[@MrBrooklynfiend]

I would love to own one of these!!

[@terencecharlesworth1499]

Really cool little knife

[@garagemonkeysan]

Beautiful design. Great video, dolly zoom was cool. Plumber's tape for masking was genius. Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@nanoreaper5002]

I love how simple your plans are, and practical good luck on the chicken coop, I made a very similar knife except with thumb screws too make blade changes easier

[@andresilva8444]

That is so nice! I reckon I could do it using my dremel only taking very shallow passes.

[@cfh8]

Great job with this one! It really looks good and the video has given me the inspiration to try it myself. Thank you and please keep doing what you are doing.

[@chaosreigns7386]

Beautifully done brother...such a simple and handsome peice of equipment...can't wait to make one myself Thanks!!

[@PaskMakes]

Thanks very much! Glad you're interested in making one! :)

[@bobbonham4823]

Thanks! Nice knife. Added to my list of things to make.

[@PaskMakes]

Great to hear Bob! :)

[@xX_Skraith_Xx]

Far too pretty for a shop tool. Ah, perhaps I'm just jealous I don't have such a beautiful utility knife in my shop! While you said you didn't want the brass pins to be noticeable, I feel something like that that you don't notice at first, but maybe with a second or third use gives the tool more character. Love it!

[@hassanal-mosawi6049]

Thanks for sharing that, well done!

[@matthewgowan7546]

I love this knife design. I'd like to CNC myself one out of a piece of scrap brass, are you able to release the DXF files that you made the pdf from?

[@75blain]

Looks good mate. Thx for sharing.

[@craigtate5930]

Neary nice. Love the look of it

[@stefanpries638]

I liked the video and the project. One thing I wish you would have done is choosing a lighter wood so the cooper stands more out. But that’s of course a personal preference. I like how you executed the idea. 👍🏼

[@simonr6793]

The knife looks great, how much harder would it be to make another one but this time with the blade able to fold away just like a shop bought one but WAY WAY better?

[@PaulMcGuinness]

Great design, and sure to become a classic. Any reason you didn't just solder the two halves together instead of peening pins?

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome work Neil! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@mountainviews5025]

Great knife awesome way better than all the new ones you can purchase thumbs up my friend

[@woodyrascel]

WOW...just learned some stuff!!!

[@Myndcreations]

That looks awsome i think i will give one a try