How to forge a knife - From start to finish

Iron Dog Knife Works - www.irondogknifeworks.com/
ZH Fabrications - www.zhfabrications.com/
Patreon - www.patreon.com/user?u=4716013
Merchandise - www.zhfabrications.com/store/
Tools used - www.zhfabrications.com/tools/
Instagram - ZHfabrications - / zhfabrications
I recently spent two days forging a knife with Harley Seidel of Iron Dog Knifeworks trying to soak up as much information as possible.
I've found that even with the abundance of information out there about knife making, it's still difficult to piece it all together into one complete unified process. I made this video to document the entire process for myself and anyone else out there looking to get into knife or blade making.

[@EthanPDobbins]

This really isn't forging a knife. It's cutting the steel to shape then pecking with a hammer and grinding. I just wanted to point that out. forging will get you much closer to finish than that and waste less steel.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Took me a few sessions to finish, but really enjoyed this! Great to see a knife start to finish with that much detailed info.

[@ZHFabrications]

Thanks Caleb!

[@ManCrafting]

I’m about 5 min in. I can tell this will be a video I’ll watch more than once. Good info.

[@ZHFabrications]

Great! That's the idea. Thanks Chad!

[@gkkent]

Great format, awesome deep dive in. High five to Harley for being so willing to share!!

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you, and yes, I can't imagine how long it would have taken me to learn all of that on my own.

[@hectorscolari9241]

Enjoyed the detail on what types of sanding belts typically work well. Also the angle of how to grind down the steel to get that good edge. The entire video was very educational. I will be watching this video 100 times over. Thanks

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@sethclark9780]

First off, the knife turned out great. Nice little kitchen helper there. Secondly, as someone who has probably watched 200 knife making videos and been fantasizing about trying to do it myself for a while, this was the best video for explaining the process in LAYMEN terms. The fact that you were, like us, an aspiring knife maker, and asked the questions we would it made for a very clear to understand video. Thank you much! The only thing I wish you guys had covered more was the temperatures you got the knife too in the forge and also the details of the heat treat, hardening, tempering....all that jazz. Anyway, great video, thank you. ps- subscribed.

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you so much! I know we used the word critical temperature a few times, which as I understand it is just a hair above when the metal becomes non-magnetic. This guy has a feel for that, but when I start, I plan on keeping a magnet right next to the forge.

[@irondogknifeworks7399]

It was a lot of fun having you in my shop! Can't wait to do it again sometime.

[@ZHFabrications]

Likewise, I still have a lot to learn from you!

[@Mikhandmaker]

Nice job man!

[@remaong4023]

Nice job man 👍🏻🤗

[@Kiowagoodfella]

One of the best knife videos I’ve seen, thank you.

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@foxfam8939]

I had to come back on here and watch your video again for inspiration. Thank fellas!

[@modustrial]

Cool video concept. I'm bookmarking for when I inevitably get the urge to try this :)

[@ZHFabrications]

Hah, thanks!

[@samknight3645]

Thanks for making and sharing this video Zack! I enjoyed and learned a lot as I am in the process of gathering blacksmithing materials together to learn the craft myself. I want to start with learning the basics in blacksmithing and then eventually try my hand at knives. Thanks again!

[@ZHFabrications]

No problem, thank you Sam!

[@shelbyglazer3948]

Yes. Would love for you to keep visiting knife shops. We all learn a ton. Keep it up 👍

[@ZHFabrications]

Thanks Shelby!

[@MoonshineMetalworks]

Great video man, the knife turned out REALLY good looking! And it was nice to see that Harley uses a mix of techniques, I think you picked the perfect teacher for you. The use of a drill bit to find centre is something I'll be using in future for sure and I'm already looking for Trizact belts here in the UK. Thanks for sharing your experience with us man.

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you! I wish I were heading your way for the makers event--some day, soon hopefully.

[@MoonshineMetalworks]

Yeah man, you're always welcome!

[@brandonbartz1716]

Great beginners guide on creating a knife. I'm interested in making my own and will definitely utilize the information in this video. Thank you!

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@Mikhandmaker]

Nice video man! Thanks for sharing

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@marc_spence]

Thanks heaps for this man. Nailed it on info and delivery. Happy forging!

[@ZHFabrications]

Thanks Marc!

[@copperheadwelding3336]

Thanks for sharing! Knife making is on my list of things to try as well, it will be nice to have this to go back to as a reference.

[@ZHFabrications]

:) Thank you!

[@michlbro1597]

Your projects are awesome ! Greetings from Germany

[@AndrewMcQuillen]

When I saw it was 30 mins long I thought I would be skipping through, but it was fascinating to watch the whole process. And the knife turned out really nice.

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@JimDockrellWatertone]

Nice to see the process and have the explanation. Thanks!

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you! I always thought it was strange, that despite all the knife stuff out there, there are very few that attempt to show and explain the process.

[@matt_williams1015]

Beautiful knife! I enjoyed watching the process!

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you Matt!

[@Cnthib57]

Great video! I use the same Lansky knife sharpening system and I love it, best one out there that is not powered.

[@ZHFabrications]

Yeah, it's pretty great!

[@washburn_morning_dad3883]

Great video, Zack. Guess that's my queue to head out to the shop!

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@SilentNoise1780]

That was great. I'm not yet equipped to try my hand at knife making, but I'll definitely keep this video around as a great reference and starting point

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@mendelson182]

Harley was awesome! Thanks for the share! Killer little chopper!

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@FERRONIAMetallkunst]

Respect, what a great job. 👍

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@reforzar]

I dig this style. Some good info on something that interests me.

[@ZHFabrications]

That's what I want to hear! Thanks Brian!

[@JDKempton]

Very good walk through now for your next knife video.

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you! And yeah, that's the idea, there was just so much knowledge, I didn't want to forget any of it.

[@maxhallowell]

Awesome video, the world thanks you for organizing all this information

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you Max!

[@soulslikebirds]

That was great!! Very insightful! Do have more of that!

[@ZHFabrications]

:) Thanks!

[@YuraKvadrat132]

Your videos inspire. I've never cooked metal in my life. Now I really like it. Simplicity and genius in every your work. Sorry. I do not know how to express my feelings like that. Because I do not know much English.

[@ZHFabrications]

I understand what you are saying. Thank you!

[@YuraKvadrat132]

Thank you! Many thanks!

[@mwlaurit]

This was a really excellent step by step-- thanks!

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you Matthew!

[@ShogunJimi]

great video - thanks - to both of you -

[@ZHFabrications]

Thanks!

[@igortrush4055]

Shaving part is the best!

[@ericlyons6251]

Nice video and nice t-shirts man! Appreciate the handwritten note.

[@ZHFabrications]

:) Glad you're happy!

[@rogierkraan]

Good tips on the grinding, but to my knowledge forging is transforming the raw steel to the form of a knife, this steel was already in the right form. Still, nice video I’ll use your mentioned tips!

[@cadockaappo4606]

That blade turned out really well.

[@GregsShop]

Cool video. Thanks for sharing. Love the Shark Coast Tactical shirt. The short trip to Bradenton was worth it. If you ever do a local meet up, count me in. Im in north Manatee.

[@ZHFabrications]

It's funny, someone else just reached out to me today--I think that makes for like 4-5 people who have found me through KZbin. Shoot me an Email: [e-mail] We are thinking about doing a meet-up soon

[@mikeniz135]

Dobermans in the backyard nice I like this guy.

[@ZHFabrications]

:0

[@HarlyGuy13]

Outstanding. I can’t wait to see your knife videos. I need to build a grinder then I’m ready to have a go myself. I did bang one out of mild steel just like he did. Lol

[@ZHFabrications]

I'm excited as well! Soon!

[@steel7302]

Nice vid, a few things that may help you: there is such a thing as wood buffing compounds for ruff and finish work and different type buffs, usually wood buffing is done at much lower speeds than the buffer you were using in this vid. low speed no burning, hi speed dont push hard or long periods. about the belts unoriented media type belts like the sharp lower numerically grits are good for hogging material off. ceramic abrasive belts are becoming popular use with good ventilation the spent media likes to eat bearing surfaces. Trizact belt are an awesome 3m invention i use them often in steel production finishing. dont let them get wet with water as bond agent for trzact media is water soluable but you can use any number of light oils and polishing grease with them. you should wear safety equipment gloves glasses and respitory protection. one last thing trizact belts produce an awesome 3d depth finish on wood especially if you buff it afterward

[@ZHFabrications]

Great information, thank you so much!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Really cool Zack! 👍👊🔪

[@ZHFabrications]

Thanks Fred!

[@Ihavebeenwatchingyou]

Great video ZH, it showed me exactly what the title said.

[@ZHFabrications]

Good to hear, thank you!

[@larryparker4054]

Great video Zack, cool looking blade too🔪

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@suburbanknife-maker9194]

Awesome buddy! Well done on that, amazing first knife.

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you! I'm sure it would have been a train wreck if I'd have tried it on my own!

[@suburbanknife-maker9194]

ZH Fabrications That's the fun of it though! I wrecked about seven blades before I finished my first one getting the bevels just right. Welcome to knife making, you'll be hooked now!

[@TheKRiddler]

Yess awesome I've been waiting for you to make a knife an it looks awesome

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you! Hopefully there will be many more in the future!

[@frankgarcia9350]

Really helpful. Thanks.

[@ZHFabrications]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnhartley3596]

Thanks. I really enjoyed the video.

[@ZHFabrications]

Thanks John!

[@TheWoodYogi]

Really enjoyable to watch :) Thank you ॐ

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@marvinmcneil2876]

That's a sick looking knife

[@metaling1]

Thoroughly enjoyed this Zach. I’ll check out IDK now...

[@ZHFabrications]

Thanks!

[@jonquinlivan4208]

A great video dude and really enjoyed 👍🏻

[@ZHFabrications]

:) Thank you!

[@Ihatethe-at-symbol]

The cup in the background during the epoxy process. Hilarious.

[@ZHFabrications]

Hah, I was hoping someone would bring that up :)

[@user-kn2by3fe4w]

Beautiful and beautiful

[@ZHFabrications]

Thanks!

[@42Fab]

Sitting here getting my tires replaced at a shop with WiFi, great time for this video to come up

[@ZHFabrications]

Hah, sounds perfect. Wonder who will finish first--this is kind of a long one :)

[@42Fab]

ZH Fabrications they did. Finished the video in the parking lot. Great video. I always struggle with when to be informative and when to be entertaining. I prefer the former personally.

[@Sixbagzz]

Holy crap that's a lot of work for a little knife but looks amazing! Crazy how it just shaves hair off like butter.

[@ZHFabrications]

Yep, they are pretty labor intensive. Sort of puts the pricing for handmade knives into perspective.

[@eloyworkshop541]

Very good🖒

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@ricardoseoane1980]

Amazing video!!

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@5fiftyshack-272]

Very cool!

[@ZHFabrications]

Thanks John!

[@larndavies6954]

Very cool

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@ciroesposito5320]

VERY VERY NICE. .........

[@g3718]

привет зак. отличное видео. отличная опасная бритва.

[@ZHFabrications]

спасибо

[@spikeydapikey1483]

Sweet little chopper!

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@jankesel1834]

Good jobs

[@ZHFabrications]

Thanks!

[@generouslemon8166]

Check out that sharks coast tactical shirt 👍🏻

[@russellfulmer2246]

Great info. Yes make more videos like this. Are you going to sell knifes?

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you! Possibly in the future--time will tell :)

[@tarickman]

ZH Fabrications I would love one like this myself and I could see Andrew Zimmern having this on his belt when out doing his tv show. And go go bizarre foods collaboration video.

[@lonniehand1386]

Good enough for me

[@ZHFabrications]

Thank you!

[@KirrChannel]

MeinKraft knife - the best :)

[@helmbuilt1253]

Nice video Zach! Im a blacksmith and for sure not a knife maker so i enjod this. Im working with the same tripod as i try to start my new channel so I feel ya. Was that some Rocco Deluca I heard in the background? LOL good stuff

[@ZHFabrications]

Yeah, this is new territory for me was well. I'm actually going to be shopping for a new tripod today... My cheapo just won't get high enough for the some of the shots I want to take in my shop. And yep, that was Rocco!

[@helmbuilt1253]

Yeah I'm having enough trouble making myself setup and film while I work all together. lol

[@rogerl8488]

Wow will you make these an sell one?

[@bejited6932]

what was that song in the beginning

[@williamcullum3522]

that is not forging, cutting and shaping?

[@valentinbuzila8781]

Why the normalizing right before quenching? And was that water you quenched în?

[@rhysgreen7287]

The normalizing gets the steel more prepared for the quench, helps to prevent warping, and might even make it harden a litlle bit better. You can quench in water, water with soap, oil ( vegetable oil or quenching oil are preferable, motor oil works but dont breathe in the fumes.) Water is the most aggresive quenching agent and oil is the least, with water with soap being in the middle.

[@rigneynathan]

Skyway bridge - you guys in Tampa?

[@a1oilsauce]

i have the same sander from harbor freight

[@lamproknives]

The terminator song made me laugh ×)

[@ZHFabrications]

:) Glad someone caught that!

[@allinssonalmonte4350]

Why does it have 48 thumbs down? People love to hate for no reason.

[@ZHFabrications]

Pretty much!

[@delallen7189]

Wasn't a forged blade more of a stock removal knife wasn't any reason to heat a profile knife and tap it with a hammer???

[@JustinTopp]

This is stock removal. You have to do more than hit the metal 10 times to call it forged

[@glm3945]

this blade... will keeel

[@ZHFabrications]

Haha, absolutely!

[@mariuszdziadas]

forging from flat bar ? :D

[@delallen7189]

Really didn't see you moveing the steel almost a stock removal knife

[@SWhite-hp5xq]

Put some silicon spray on that $10 tripod, or some dry lube. Makes it into a $15.75 tripod!

[@ZHFabrications]

I just bought a nicer one :)

[@TheBillybushcook]

If I caught some-one using my Vernier's for scribing lines like that, they'd be swallowing their teeth shortly after! Look after your Tools & they will look after you!

[@ayvamariepeace7046]

"It's like blacksmithing." ... it is blacksmithing... 😏🤪

[@marcosgerstner212]

estoy trabajando en un "facon" creo que puedo adaptar el mango de su cuchillo al mio. por si no entiendes lo que es un facon. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGSygqZmos-Xbs0 gracias por el videos. saludos!

[@ZHFabrications]

Muy genial. Gracias!

[@ecommerceclickandbuy5856]

Zh can you teach ,how to make on youtube,..

[@ZHFabrications]

I may do some more intense How-to stuff in the future.

[@ecommerceclickandbuy5856]

I mean a video like you upload,what tool you use

[@mrsimpson2022]

should be "How to grind a knife"..but thanks for video.

[@MrDonkrypton]

KZbin f%&$ing spoils us all...

[@ZHFabrications]

:)

[@richardredic]

Heats knife. Bangs on knife. Knife is essentially the same shape. Repeat.

[@user-tr3wh4sp6u]

Всё хорошо, только я не понимаю по английски(

[@bechtolknives]

There are so many things wrong with this video... The worst thing is misinformation about how to forge a knife. Since when is stock removal and pecking at it with a hammer considered forging?

[@samshambles391]

That's not forging a knife; it's grinding one.

[@TheYoshi131]

Terrible camera focus on this video compared to your usual.

[@ZHFabrications]

Sorry about that..... I was in an unfamiliar shop, and using my gopro for a lot of it.

[@wgwillis]

forging a knife is more than just cutting it too shape and then heating it up just so you can move a little bit of the metal in the handle. This is not forging a knife!!!!

[@ICUB4UCME23]

the dude is hitting cold steel

[@jerrymenace1687]

Video is too long

[@Ujeb08]

WTF? I watched for 5 minutes and turned it off! What a butcher! He uses a dial caliper as a scribe ruining an instrument right away. That was enough for me. So many so called experts on youtube. ridiculous!

[@Zanenoth]

Rename the video: How to grind out a knife shape. You didn't forge anything.

[@filipp.tche1]

Fkng weapon on your t-shirt. Unsubscribed.

[@tonycapuano1995]

i blinked and missed the forging part.