Knife Making Tools You Can't Live Without!

[@jonadams4062]

My handiest tool for knife making has proven to be my subscription to this channel

[@MrSoloun]

At my age one of the most useful things I've found is good lighting, it might sound obvious but your eyes age the difference between an overhead general light to a fixed spot style shining exactly where you need is amazing, at least to me :). Good vid as always :)

[@SpaceMonkey23101]

Not a knifemaker, but for my craft, I totally agree. It's literally impossible to have too much light.

[@gorodph]

I agree. I have around 8000 lux, 97 CRI, 5600K Bridgelux premium LEDs. You can see even the smallest imperfections under such a powerful lighting.

[@daveh777]

Definitely a must!!! Good call!

[@adamkilroe9840]

Never underestimate the value of coffee.

[@TheBroot0999]

My thoughts exactly.

[@Goodwithwood69]

The first coffee of the day and the first beer after work!

[@lynnbryant9866]

Testify, Brotha!👍

[@infernoeagles5812]

With a sprinkle of copper and chromium dust mixed and you have your self the best coffee in the world 🤣

[@brysonalden5414]

I second the broach idea as an essential tool, and since there are very few on the market, a video on making one in your style would be wonderful.

[@velazquezarmouries]

I use a wood jigsaw blade on a pair of locking forceps

[@plectrumura]

I keep a small hammer with a slot milled out and a carbide insert braised in to straighten hardened blade edges if needed. I’m nervous every time I pick it up, but I’ve only ever broken one blade that way.

[@bobbob-hn7qc]

I made a broach for scraping out hidden-tang knife handle holes. It's simply a file ground to a hook with square corners. Makes it easier to get a clean fit with the tang.

[@aarondiamond7225]

If you use water stones you should use a rubber ducky to squirt water on them as they get dry

[@stoneinthefield1]

Adjustable angle and larger tool rest is a great upgrade that I made to my grizzly grinder.

[@NagelHausForge]

A good set of digital calipers and layout fluid for marking bevels!

[@jtjones73]

Blue dykem, something I never thought I would voluntarily purchase. Now, something I cannot live without.

[@multidimensionalexploratio3985]

I'm going to make one of these center scribes. I've been using drill bits and attempting to guess thickness. It works okay, but it can be a pain in the ass. Thank you so much!

[@JohnJTedesco]

www.amazon.com/SSTW-Center-Scribe/dp/B0845VH1CM/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=sstw+center+scribe&qid=1599227883&sr=8-1

[@mrkiky]

there's also calipers, if you don't want to guess the thickness, and they kinda work as a quick scribe too.

[@CNCx83]

Sanding stick. Made one from some scrap G10 years ago. Still works today.

[@Alanbataar]

Well, maybe not the most novel, but one of the most indispensable for sharpening - I've cut a block of plywood the same shape as my waterstones, and glued an old belt to it. I leveled it with fine sandpaper on a flat surface, then added red rouge buffing compound to strop the edge. In the kitchen, I'll strop 4~5 times before the knife needs to see a stone. Also - interesting tidbit... you can make a lifetime supply of buffing compound for less than $30 using beeswax and powdered abrasives - melt the beeswax in a soup can (something disposable) over **very** low heat, mix in the abrasive powder till it is opaque like shoe polish, then add a dash of paint thinner. Let the wax cool and harden. If it's too hard, re-melt and add a little bit of thinner. If you add too much thinner, you'll have to add more beeswax. You want the consistency to be a bit stiffer than shoe polish. I store mine in -- wait for it -- an old shoe polish tin.

[@rustbeltmachine]

That’s a great idea

[@shaunnaude5190]

Hi Walter.Something I find difficult to go without is a handle broach.

[@yaboiranger5465]

Shaun Naude I personally prefer a router, I cant find a good broach

[@ryc3rz]

I'm going to google now to see what a broach is...

[@divs1023]

For hand sanding I surface grind some tool steel then wrap the paper around it. The surface ground steel makes for more surface area contact between the sand paper and the blade. Found this out by accident but makes hand sanding much faster and easier. Note - The steel is resurfaced every time I start a new blade its suprising how much the steel will "Dish out".

[@weylinchandler8388]

Like many on here have said, the handle broach is an amazing tool. I made one from a dual cut jigsaw blade epoxied into an old screwdriver handle. Extremely crude, but it works great and saves so much time when fitting hidden tangs.

[@obh7762]

something to note: you should NOT file square corners anywhere on a blade, especially where the blade meets the handle. This is a stress point, and can cause a blade to crack or break. this is very important on larger knives like machetes and choppers.

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

One of my favorite tools is a homemade vacuum chamber for stabilizing wood for handle materials. Nice video Walter 👍

[@wumarNart]

Patience is the greatest tool to use.

[@timjackson5555]

Height gauge.. helps me make certain that handle to spine are perfectly straight and the edge is centered on that same plane.

[@xthemadplumberx7110]

I never thought about modifying a file. Im glad I watched the video.

[@MartinFluteCompany]

Essential video if a hobbyist wishes to learn knife making and avoiding perhaps years of frustration and material waste, not to mention time the most valuable of all. Thank you! Side Note: I've made a living by sizing up character at a glance. (Mr.Sorrells at a glance) First and foremost no can know or the fools errand of thinking they know the heart of another. We have no way of knowing the hundreds of thousands of life experiences being but part and parcel that make up a critical thinking human being. My first thought of Walter, no better or loyal a friend could a person can in him though you must earn his close friendship over time. However he does trust to a limit most anyone until proven otherwise. He has a strong presence, you know he's in the room though he never flaunts his moxey. He's considerate, subtle and speaks little but when he does one would be well advised to listen. He wastes no words as observers do, has learned his life lessons well making no excuses making him self accountable which, in my opinion is a rare quality. He isn't above departing wisdom to the few who may actually benefit from it and he usually knows the difference. Earning your place as enemy isn't an enviable place to be with this man. He will not cower in the face of adversity; his intense focus known of brave hearted souls would be accompanied by the instant response of a thinking man. Keeping ones head is a survivors trait, especially in war. Be it a soldier, peace officer or citizen facing fear and maintaining composure is a rare quality, most panic and become ineffective. Somehow few put the negative affects of adrenalin on hold during the exposure of life threatening situations. They take the split second required to make a true shot or what ever is required to emerge the victor or save a life. He's that guy! In a dire situation, at a glance I'd trust he's got my back. I've shared detailed impressions like this with close friends a few times and they laugh. Six months later I've been asked how did you know. The answer, I don't know, it was just an impression I guide my life by. It seems in the mind of mankind when we think we know something we've often times only set a road block in our growth. " I know, I know nothing." Socrates

[@xplorer7882]

I would really like to see your approach to making a bread knife (or some other knife with a serrated edge)

[@timjackson5555]

Bread knife want to make one But do you do flat on one side hollow on the other? I'm just wandering about the serrated teeth.

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing!

[@goose2701]

Handle broach is a useful often forgotten tool for hidden tangs.

[@liquidcobra1450]

Your videos have always been so informative and helpful. I hope you continue for years to come!

[@marchueltz4993]

I use a brummisateur to cool the blades while grinding them. Saves time you waste with the blade in the water bucket. It sprays a very fine mist of water onto the blade and the belt. Normally you use them to cool yourself down when outside and its very hot.

[@keithkimsten5111]

Great advise found here! I found working alone which I did for 15 years in no own shop, without a drop hammer, that a good set of Spring Swages were essential to any Blacksmith/knife maker. God gave us only two hands so we improvise...

[@DarkWolf-yr1ml]

found out that a quality grade surface plate for making sure that all things in the my blades and shop that need to be flat...are 100000% flat, found that it has become one of my most relied upon devices. along with a really good pair of calipers.

[@mealex303]

I'd say that first tool was just a woodworkers adjustable parallel edge scribe but made from metal for metal? but hey if it works why change or reinvent it ey??? lol

[@mcguckin13]

Always appreciate these tool tip list videos. Thanks again Walter 👍

[@stevesyncox9893]

Thanks Walter.

[@josephconnelly7124]

Thanks Walter

[@pitbullforge]

I really like and appreciate that you wear the same shirt in every episode.

[@jklep523]

Thanks Walter, another great video. I’ve actually only made a couple very basic blades so far but I’m looking forward to making many more in my upcoming years. I *just* completed a homemade forced-air forge that turned out great if I say so myself. I couldn’t find the guitar I wanted, so I built it. The knife(s) I want exist only in my imagination so far, so I’m going to make them too. Help from masters like yourself is greatly appreciated.

[@jeverettrulz]

Great video as always, plus its good to see someone else who hasn't been able to get to the barber recently!

[@xthemadplumberx7110]

I was thinking te same

[@butsukete1806]

Why would you put your knife under a radar, does it help the heat treatment?

[@arn6376]

Could that kydex rivet press work for flaring tube rivets on knife handle scales? Thanks for the help

[@TheJpmuzz]

THANK YOU! This video is exactly what I was looking for in a beginer video

[@gregoryjohnson8166]

My most useful tool in my shop is without a doubt my rawhide mallet.

[@leatonbridge3523]

Hullo Walter I noticed you had a small service grinds. I just finished restoring one do you find them worth wile thank you

[@jackreeves3001]

Been watching for a long time. I've really enjoyed your channel. Thanks for sharing your talent!

[@RedBeardOps]

The Legend

[@matthewfox7000]

Shouldn't the tang to riccaso shoulder be rounded so it doesn't create a stress riser?

[@JohnJohnson-bg2oo]

Good info, and you explain it in a way that even brand new to the hands on people can understand, if that makes sense. 😂

[@skiiiler7943]

I modified all of my files to do a better job at filing, i snapped two of them yesterday while fitting a guard. Got to buy some new ones now😅

[@chirodiesel]

Walter, what is the best kitchen knife design and why is it the s-grind? Please do an s-grind video, sir!

[@mycroftholmes7003]

Hi Walter. I LOVE this video. Your katanas are hors classe! Speaking of which this tool vid got me thinking. After you've forged out a sunobe, do you use some kind of longer steel or wooden filing block to put crisp edges on? Are those blocks S4S (square all sides) or do they have an angle. If so what would it typically be? I can't have a power hammer in my subdivision and hydraulics scare me to no end. So stock removal is my only hope. Thanks in advance for the help.

[@bruceprosser8332]

Knife finishing vise. Wish I had gotten one way sooner.

[@tylerkrug7719]

Love these type of videos you make!

[@TrojanHorse1959]

Great video and tips Walter, thank you!

[@anderssorenson9998]

A freezer and a torch

[@jonkwilloughby]

Thank you! Very helpful!! :)

[@claysorrells1777]

Walter Sorrells That's a cool last name you have.

[@censusgary]

What kind of grinder, and what kind of wheel, do you use to grind down a file? You probably know why I’m asking this: Files are very hard. And I really don’t want a grinding wheel (or a file) shattering in my face.

[@mrkiky]

I don't think there's any risk of it shattering in your face if you take it slowly.

[@JohnSmith-gs4lw]

That center scribe is definitely NOT available at the stainlesssteeltoolwrap website. If it is, I guess I didn’t have the magic word to see it.

[@JohnJTedesco]

www.amazon.com/SSTW-Center-Scribe/dp/B0845VH1CM/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=sstw+center+scribe&qid=1599227883&sr=8-1

[@jackrock1313]

I saw this 5 years ago

[@outdoorlife5396]

learned a few things

[@MatthewSherriff85]

Shinto Japanese saw rasp