Knife Making | How To Make a Hamon Line On a Knife From A Beginners Perspective

[@akosih0130]

This ain't the kind of hamon I thought it was clicking on this video, but NIIIIIIIICE

[@gregorybatara8105]

Okay Joseph Eclair Joestar

[@markharrisllb]

You make some great videos but this one stands out as one of your best. Seeing someone like yourself having to redo steps and seeing your mistakes helps a newbie like myself in many ways. It tells me it’s ok to get it wrong and you can take a step backwards and redo that step again.

[@hisokamorroh5185]

Steel Hamon overdrive

[@MegaNardman]

Came here looking for a JoJo's reference...was not disappointed!

[@thebathsaltsnail2683]

@@MegaNardman me to

[@kilist174]

Kira Yoshikage Im only here because I wanted a tutorial on how to do hamon breathing like overdraivoooo

[@RST_14d]

yes

[@haruharuki316]

Do u mean steel light overdrive

[@ldodidj8845]

ZOOM PUNCH SUNLIGHT OVERDRIVUUUU

[@gregorybatara8105]

Finally, a Jojoke/Jojo reference!

[@ferociousmaliciousghost]

WRYYYYYY

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Good stuff brother! Your videos a so relatable. So much good content for us, your fellow knife makers. Keep them coming. I’ll watch every one. Loved the heat treat oven VS. forge comparison. I was in the shop just before watching your vid this evening acting out your described process exactly. Hilarious!

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks man! Haha😂 Hopefully working on some new videos??😀

[@rcmakingtracks18]

Excellent video. Clouds are cool, so are cloudy knifes... thanks for sharing. John

[@jamesstephens8938]

nice job! i like especially how you are totally honest about screwing up. thats what works best for me. screwing up and trying again. im excited to try my own.

[@MickInOhio]

Absolutely gorgeous knife! You are a very talented and your attention to detail is appreciated. I'd love to have one of your knives. 👍

[@watsons_forge3852]

This definetly helped me trying to do a hamon on a knife for the first time today

[@michaelsanchez8519]

Damn, 1084 makes an awesome hamon. I’ve done it on 1095 and it came out great. I biffed the sanding part, but it still came out great looking. Thank you for the neutralizing and polishing tips!

[@mm2_Arya]

I've been watching your videos for awhile now. I have to say from someone who's just getting into knife making (wouldn't even say I'm a beginner yet) your videos are by far the best. You show your mistakes, you have the tools I have, and your videos are just as entertaining as informative. Thank you.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks man! I really appreciate the comment! Good luck with your knife making👍

[@mm2_Arya]

Thank you much appreciated. I was just watching your micarta pin video and my son was right over my shoulder. Another plus of your channel is the family friendly aspect. Thanks again Alex! -Ricky

[@bushcraftoregon]

thankyou for the vid....you approached it like I am sure I would on my first try. I haven't done hamons so it was nice to see this. Love your frankness and candor.

[@chillbeatsandvibez7901]

Hamon no beat!

[@aksalaman4689]

Kind of like Alton Brown in the knife making world. Great video.

[@KevinsAdventures]

Holy crap Alex... totally convinced that this was not worth the effort but you love it so it must be fun for you.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Haha 😂 its fun till you realywhat you just did for the last 12hrs....which is sand a 3" piece of steel😑

[@richardcranium6554]

You have patience i could never have. And I'm a finish carpenter and finicky chip carver. Fantastic vid. I learned alot. From your ...... misteaks.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Im a finish carpenter too. Maybe thats where I get my obsession for torture 😂 Thanks my friend!👊

[@mattderp235]

Where is the luck and pluck??

[@gregorybatara8105]

You have to ask Bruford first

[@tractorp2255]

you videos are awesome man. You got a down to earth style that is easy to relate with. Thanks for sharing all your successes and f ups.

[@jakeweller4697]

Love your videos you have been very helpful in my knife making especially this video I wasn’t sure what to do after clay was applied and heat treat I could see a bit of a hamon but was frustrated with it until you said acid dip so thanks

[@Filiaris1]

I never play your vids in the background because your editing and humor is worth watching it whole 🤩

[@Adi-ih7uv]

its all in the breathing man...

[@wish8486]

What?

[@colonelh.stinkmeaner140]

@wishie washie its a reference to a series you might not know

[@gultenpan8689]

I think this is a jojo reference. I’m not sure because I haven’t watched a lot but there was another comment like this

[@colonelh.stinkmeaner140]

@Gulten Pan you have guessed right. It’s all in the three breathing references hamon from jojo. Well done

[@gultenpan8689]

Jonathan Joestar thank you jojo

[@PauloPires-l4c]

good work,the HAMON looks perfect,LIKE !

[@tazzthedoodle7861]

Awesome blade. Thanks for saving me a ton of re-sanding lol ....im definitely giving this a try soon.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks! Good luck 👍👍

[@ohioknifelover]

It’s okay that you failed because you didnt stop trying to make it right! You found what worked and it made a good looking blade!

[@OUTDOORS55]

At least I tried!🙂 Thanks my friend!

[@ohioknifelover]

OUTDOORS55 No problem! I think it turned out to be a good looking knife! Love the shape of the blade!

[@kimcurtis9366]

Loved the vid and the info! I'm going to try it! THANKS!

[@scottbennington2936]

This was a lot of fun... 100 man hours of hand sanding later. I love your style Alex!

[@OUTDOORS55]

Probably close to it😂 Thanks my friend!

[@johndifrancisco3642]

I admire your perseverance. I also like that you show your fails because we can learn SO much more by seeing that. All the links you put in the description are especially helpful. Thanks Alex! P.S. The handle looks awesome!

[@OUTDOORS55]

I actually failed a couple more times than I showed...The video was getting long but I try to put the most helpful ones in there.🙂 Thanks for the comment my friend!👊

[@Cr0cket20]

That's a good looking knife. And sounds like there was a lot of learning on process. I find those activities very rewarding.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks man! It was for sure!😂

[@kimcurtis9366]

Cool! I'm going to try this with 1095 and 5160! I understand that 5160 is nearly impossible to get a true hamon but, I'm willing to try it, anyway! Who knows, I might find a way to do it to MY satisfaction! After all, all I have is time! THANKS for your video and the help of showing your mistakes!

[@davidcoats1037]

Alex your knife making skills never cease to amaze me. That knife is gorgeous! That’s cool that you left all your mistakes in the video. I’m sure it will save me a lot of time if I ever decide to try this. Keep up the great work my friend. 👍🏼

[@OUTDOORS55]

Well...I didn't leave them all in😂 Thanks my friend!

[@frozl1700]

That knife looks badass, great job Alex 😎

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks! 🙏

[@weswolf73]

Looks good. One question / tip... why don’t you just use a crock pot for your quench oil? Consistent temp and variety of sizes, wider opening for longer knives. Removable pots, locking lids...

[@feralgrandad4429]

Okay, so i LOVE this knife. This dispite the fact i dont like FFG knives. Or scale liners. Or micarta scales. Or leaf shape blades. But, without a shadow of a doult, I LOVE this knife. Alex, your slowly turning into an Alchemist crossed with a Wizard. Top, top job mate.

[@feralgrandad4429]

@Matthew M nope, Im saying this not type knife id normally go for. But, its so well executed I think its brilliant.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks man! 👍👊👊

[@thefriendlessgamer8552]

Nice work. 1095 is a good water quenching steel. And the video was helpful as I'm looking to make a wakazashi.

[@fernandolopezperez2953]

Great video, it was very useful for me. My first hamon line was succesful. Thanks

[@jameshotchkiss5577]

You get so creative with your videos I love it. Always fantastic.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks my friend! I try😀

[@rickjochem133]

About time I said hello from New Zealand !! Love your vids mate... pitched at the perfect level with very clear explanations in an accent I dont hate ! Please ...can you translate temps and measurements into metric for the rest of the world !! P.S.. my very first micarta worked perfect thanks to your vid !

[@OUTDOORS55]

I dont have an accent😉 Thanks my friend! Ill try to be betywith the measurements. I usually forget🙂👍👊

[@rickkerans8485]

That hamon line turned out really well.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Hopefully the next one will turn out better! Thanks for watching my friend!

[@markfulmer67]

I think your first attempt turned out great, that blade looks awsome!

[@OUTDOORS55]

At first I thought so as well. It may not have showed up on camera very well but there were alot of lines in the blade. Almost like 100 grit sandpaper marks. It just didnt look good up close. 🤷‍♂️

[@sieprienstra6631]

Awesome video man. Unreal.

[@ozrengora300]

Old blacksmiths say that the blade needs to turn to the north when we dip in the oil. Due to the effect of earth's magnetism, there would be no curvature during cooling. :-) Your channel is great, just continue that way.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Wow that's taking it to the extreme 😂 Maybe ill try that😉 thanks my friend 👍

[@aimansyahmidzulkhairy909]

That looks better than my hamon attempt. It didn't stand out as much and the pattern didn't came out like what I was planning because the clay was too thin. Good job on that hamon man. It's beautiful.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Yeah it can be hit or miss. Steel plays a part as well. The right combination is whats needed😀

[@mgannotti]

Love this video!!! I am getting ready to try making a hamon on a 1095 steel knife working on and this video was chalk full of info including the straightening bit. Love the oven vs forge part😉 Oven is next on my list of acquisitions. Thanks for posting this!!

[@alpk84]

Beautiful knife! New level of craftsmanship. Congratulations

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thank you!

[@TyMalhoneson]

That is beautiful. Good job Alex!

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thank you!

[@e.t.preppin7084]

Excellent video. Someday you will have saved me valuable life time. 👍 time I will probably spend watching another video 😂

[@OUTDOORS55]

Haha i hear ya😂

[@aleistervillaseca438]

The promised day has finally arrived :D

[@Morkmonkey69]

This is honestly hilarious to me because I've been making knives for years and always had problems with etching because I was trying all the ways I saw on KZbin which always showed steel wool or sanding it. That doesn't work too well for me and you too apparently lol. The method I came up with to get clean etches without scratching it is the same conclusion you came to lol

[@UnknownSovereignty]

After watching this. Subbed. really enjoyable to watch you keep trying different things in order to get the effect you wanted.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks really appreciate it👍

[@DisgruntledGrunt]

Beautiful knife! Love the look

[@bfnurgf1]

Cool knife. I'll have to give it a try

[@phoenix5694]

Gorgeous knife.

[@heyimamaker]

Very cool! I watched a documentary on the Hamon's from found on Katanas and it takes a polishing master over a month to complete the job.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Yes, there are a bunch of different methods for hamons. The true Japanese sword polishers were apprenticeship for years. Theres alot to it.🙂

[@StuffUCanMake]

Bravo! You really pulled it off.

[@OUTDOORS55]

At least I tried right? 😂 Thanks my friend!

[@jeremycrowe234]

Very cool and helpful. I will try this. I’ve wanted to for a long time. Someday I would like to add a professional version to my collection.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Good luck👍 Thanks for watching👊

[@ronaldmarsh7025]

If you want the line, the ashi I think it is called, to be more distinguished you should try a more diluted acid. Lemon juice seems pretty popular and in my experience it has worked but it is very slow. I have read about bringing the juice up to a light boil but I have only done it at room temp (about 72 F) for about 2 hours at a time. I was using 1095 and also I had issues with lines in the blade that were not scratches, but from using stock annealed metal. From what I could gather you have to run it through multiple, at least 3 temper cycles, and even quench and reheat it a few times, which is what I ended up doing to remove the lines.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Yeah that's strange.. im almost positive my lines were from the steel wool. I thought about lemon juice. I may try it on the next one. Ferric Chloride might be too powerful for revealing the ashi. I did get some more of it to show with higher polishing (after i completed the video).

[@wandervanhoucke4331]

@@OUTDOORS55 the lines in your knife are not scratches. The japanese refer to it as sunagashi. Some kind of alloy banding in the hamon.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Im not sure thats what I was seeing though. I might be wrong 🤷‍♂️

[@wandervanhoucke4331]

@@OUTDOORS55 honestly I am not either😂 hamons are a rabbithole man.

[@GFClocked]

I love this. But as a fan of folding knives I have to suggest - please please try your luck at a folding knife. I do understand it's probably hella hard, but I would love you try and attempt it!

[@andyandy1373]

For the final polish I use rubbing compound or jewelers rouge.

[@rkna1]

Wow for your first attempt that came out awesome! Great job!

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks my friend! I tried🙂

[@ColdHawk]

Hamon my sandwich with Swiss is what I prefer. My son likes to add pickles to his sandwich, but I find that diminishes the subtler complexities....

[@thomasgronek6469]

hahahahaha, I like hamoneggs

[@joecarter2213]

Looks awesome man! Jealous of your shop. Seeing you put the knife in a vice raised a question I hope you can help me with. I’ve just discovered that a benchmade fixed blade knife of mine has a slightly curved/bent tip. It’s S30V, and I’m wondering if this can be corrected by removing the scales and placing the knife in a vice to straighten. Frankly, I’m shocked the knife is bent towards the tip. It hasn’t been abused or done any real work. Also, I though S30V would chip or break before bending. Anyways, I really would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

[@Cholton222]

Another awesome video man good job bud.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks my friend 👊

[@BigHesh81]

Very interesting video Alex! It was cool to see how technical and particular each step has to be for the Hamon, and how easily things can change or go wrong. If Im being honest, not knowing this previously, I was never a real fan of Hamons on custom knives I'd seen online, etc, but knowing how much work it adds to the build (and subsequent experience and time invested to get to that skill/comfort level), it sure changes my appreciation of that element of knife build/design! Also, it may just be me, but I am REALLY digging those hollow pins (tubes?) you used! I dont think Ive seen those used too often, but I really think they add to the look of a knife! Thanks for another great and educational video!

[@OUTDOORS55]

I wasn't a fan of them either as im not necessarily a fan of traditional Japanese blades. I can appreciate them for sure. Just not my style. The hormone does add that, "something extra" to what would be plain old knife though. Thanks my friend!

[@harleyhonk2477]

What a fantastic and educational post. Thankyou.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks my friend 👊

[@Sickofsociety1]

Very helpful!

[@CrescentMint]

Instructions unclear, accidentally killed a vampire with magic sunlight powers.

[@kengamble8595]

Dang man, you just don't give up do you! 👍👌 That's a good thing ! 😊 Thanks for sharing and take care. 👍

[@OUTDOORS55]

haha I definitely do! Thanks my friend!

[@arkanatsaqib626]

Woow...nice many tools

[@MiguelTorres-hg1kn]

Great job! that knife looks awesome.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks!

[@TheMultisportGeek]

Great video and great knife. I like your your belt sander was creeping all over your work bench.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks! It was😂

[@bigjay461]

Great attention to detail.

[@jinx3675]

Great knife once again

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thank you! and thanks for watching!

[@ramonsanjuanandres183]

Hi Alex, well done...beautyful knife... thanks for sharing... Grettings from Spain.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Hi! Thanks!

[@knifemakingcfdraperknives9577]

Very cool video, and knife. Good job!

[@horiaatanasiu3173]

Very nice work and very good information. Thank you!

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks my friend!

[@anthonyh3224]

great video, I'm fixin to give this a try in a couple of weeks. Anyone know the name of that insert in the forge with the pins that holds up the knife? Where to get one?

[@jaythatguyyouknow5135]

Really awesome dude. Where do you get your scale and liner material from? I’m getting ready to make my first knife and Im kinda overwhelmed with all the options out there

[@apexedgesharpening2005]

5:13 I’d be making something else like working on some scales hehe you just are impatient

[@Mountainmonths]

hamon represents the soul of the blade

[@zoltank2125]

Hi, excellent explanations on the videos thanks, I am not crafting knives but I wish I was, don't have the time to start at the moment. Just a question out of curiosity ; I have a few knives with with dents in them how would you proceed to sharpen that ? (not a damaged knife be one with kind of saw at the base) I was thinking about that hamon shape, wouldn't it be good to apply some form of adhesive mask with a shape on the blade before you add the layer of cement?

[@aarondyer1315]

Thats awesome thanks for explaining 😊

[@javiersoria9065]

Hey, nice video, a question, how thick are the orange liners (in millimeters)? Greetings from Argentina!

[@nicholascurran4290]

Thanks so much for this.

[@TheDogWalksTheDog]

Great video thanks . When doing a homon with 1084 do you do the same heat treat as you usually would x3 normalizing then quench ?

[@OUTDOORS55]

Yes, but the clay is applied after normalization right befor the quench

[@nicholascurran4290]

Do you think it makes a difference if you grind your bevels before or after heat treat? I generally do most of my grinding after HT.

[@billharget9341]

Thanks for sharing your work with us

[@scottlandmcc]

Looks great and thanks for sharing

[@flintrichards945]

Good information thanks

[@ohioknifelover]

Been waiting for this!

[@leppicknives9830]

I just did similar video about knifes and hamon. (failed thou). So its nice to see how it should be done. Keimo from Finland

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks for watching!

[@Jimmy-iz2rx]

Walter Sorrells used lemon juice in one of his steps to polish. Not sure of exact details but you might wanna check it out. And really liking the knife, by the way.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Ive seen his videos on the subject. It will be something ill definitely try in the future. Thanks my friend!

[@Jimmy-iz2rx]

@@OUTDOORS55 since you mentioned the temperature inside your shed, I wanted to ask you if the cold temperatures effects the epoxy curing on your knives or when you make micarta? It's 13° right now in my shed. When I tried making micarta it didn't cure right. So I did it again outside because of the smell and didn't want the smell bothering wife and kids so I brought it inside put it in the seldom used fireplace figuring most of the fumes would go out the chimney - which they did, but the micarta turned out floppy/rubbery. It was fiberglass resin that I used if that matters. I also seem to have weak glue-up if I do it in the cold. Any tips? Does the epoxy stink up the house if you do it indoors?

[@griffithshandmade-knives]

I would be in awe of anyone who gets an hamon with O1. If you want to edge your bets, choose 1095 or W2 if you use only flat stock, add W1 if you’re trying your hand at forging (it typically comes in round bar). Good luck 👍👊

[@OUTDOORS55]

Its a misprint o1 will not produce a hamon 👍

[@BornIn1500]

Another great video. Thanks

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks my friend 👍👊

[@randallhackworth421]

I like. I appreciate you showing the mistakes so I can maybe not make as many😅

[@thejoshpope]

Ammo cans make good quinch bucket. After you can close it and set on shelf for next time

[@beltxabeltxa]

Another great job, Thanks

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thank you!🙏👊

[@NewbTactical]

Really awesome looking

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks man!

[@christianwolfington8510]

That blade is 👌👌👌 have you ever thought about doing a guard on on any of your knives?

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks! I have and will definitely try one in the future😀

[@joshlionbjj]

I made a katana 1084 clay treat oil quench. Im at 2000 grit now. No hamon. I'll acid it the way you did today. Thanks. Big help.

[@lamvni]

Love your work bro