Lasers for the Knife-Maker! - XTOOL D1 Pro

Get 10% off when you use this link to purchase an XTOOL D1 Pro: goaff.pro/jcknphinaz
I recently received the XTOOL D1 Pro laser with 10W and 40W diode laser modules. This thing is fantastic! Having a laser engraver is a great addition to my shop.
Kitchen Cleaver is available and ready to ship here: homesteadknives.com/products/...
#simplelittlelife #xtool #laserengraving

[@flmoose1]

A few things when doing leather: 1. It smells bad! Really bad and the scent will linger on. 2. Protect natural veg tan using something like Fiebings Tan Coat with Atom wax or tack/transfer tape. I use the tack tape on both sides. After it's cut, i remove the back tack tape and burnish with Tokanole before using compressed air to clean stitching holes. Finally i lightly sand the edges to remove char.

[@Simplelittlelife]

Oh sweet thank you so much for the tips! I will definitely be using these when I start on leather sheaths. 👍

[@NuManXplore]

Great demonstration and result! One of the best X-tool vids on the Tube, a lot of them don’t really show real time setup, adjustments and function.

[@Simplelittlelife]

Thanks Nathan! Much appreciated👍

[@RedBeardOps]

Very nice! Love mine. I think I use it the most for leather... it's so nice to have a perfectly cut template for sheaths. Really speeds up the process. Templates for blanks and guards too... handy!!

[@nwmi493]

what a great shop space you have. Awesome place to spend time.

[@slugobuddy]

Been watching you since the first shipping container shop days! So you built up some trust with me and THANK YOU for this video! Ive been wanting to get the Xtool for a while now, for both my makers mark on my knives and for my leather work!

[@Simplelittlelife]

Right on. I appreciate your long time viewership. I’m glad this video helps out and I myself did not expect to be as impressed by this as I am. It is amazing. If you do decide to buy one they have me a coupon code after I made this video but jeremy10 will get you 10% off your purchase. Thanks again for watching my videos! Cheers 👍

[@benterbieten9540]

Great, something else to put on my wish list for shop tools. That worked better than I thought it would.

[@Simplelittlelife]

Yeah I had never thought of them with any seriousness because I thought they were going to be a let down. Nope👍

[@trainwon5699]

Congratulations on the new Laser and thanks for sharing.

[@Simplelittlelife]

Thank you too!

[@_jaeger_fabian]

That's awesome! I wasn't sure if the 10W diode is good enough for etching blades but as we can see, it is! Great... thanks for that Jeremy 🤙

[@Simplelittlelife]

You're welcome and thank you for watching 👍

[@CAVEY2575]

I feel your pain!!! its a tough transition but one you will not regret. I had a laser engraving machine built in 2019...I have a Needham Group EPZ 4 70W Class 1 MOPA driven fibre optic unit...it is incredible. It was expensive but has paid for itself many times over. It engraves in 4k on hardened Damasteel. I too went down the same rabbit hole...marking everything at first! I used to make everything by hand 100%....and for three of my ranges of knives ...I always will....but also the laser was the catalyst for the awakening as I call it. I now have a range of hand finished knives. The blanks are cut by EDM machine. I use only Damasteel...and had concerns how heat from CNC or laser cutting would affect the molecular structure PMS and add a requirement for annealing or normalising....EDM is the most effective way of accurately cutting steel to the most finite dimensions without risk to the steel.....may bea while before I have one in my shop but until then Im happy to outsource that element of the process. I am fortunate...my Damasteel supplier is in Sheffield...the heart of everything steel in the UK...he has been based there for 30 years and was able to hook me up with one of the finest cutlery manufacturers that cut my pieces for me. As I said it was a difficult decision in terms of morals and ethics...but a fantastic business decision. In the first year turnover went up 5X and profit margin soon followed. This Christmas we moved from a 1200 to a 3500 sq ft shop and haven't looked back. Plan over the next 24 months is to increase the range of hand finished products and bring in CNC equipment that will have the capability to carry out 90% of the process in manufacturing. I will always make knives 100% by hand...and have a separate area in the shop specifically for that end...but they are out of reach for most customers...if you have strong enough brand that will not be diluted by offering a more mass produced line then why not? ...I'll be creating more jobs and expanding into other areas of manufacturing. As an aside we use the laser to engrave and personalise golf clubs for a couple of local pros...Scotty Cameron putters and the like...that has started to really take off!! Started it back end of last year and in January that work covered all the shops utility bills and the cost of the move. I see it as evolution not revolution. Keep up the great work...yours has been one of the most influential channels on my process and journey. Cheers Cavey

[@Drew_lininger]

That’s amazing! I’m going to have to seriously look into buying one. That performance at that price is crazy

[@Simplelittlelife]

I honestly didn't think it would work this well and that's why I'd never considered them before. Especially ones in this price range. I figured sure, if they'll send me one I might as well see what it's capable of. I'm shocked at how well it works and it couldn't be easier to use. I'm just using their free software and going with the settings they have pre-programmed. I thought there might be a learning curve but there really wasn't one. 👍

[@mictaylor9531]

Good stuff Jeremy, very affordable and your demo makes it clear that it’s a robust enough etch for anyone 🍺👌🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🍻🔪🔥

[@jjjakins1]

Great video Jeremy. I purchased this 20 watt laser and IF module months ago as well and it is a very handy tool. I found lightburn to be the best software for my needs over Creative Space....but both work fine.

[@griffithshandmade-knives]

Jeremy, I know you’ve only had this a short time, but this is one of those things where I’m a little ticked off by community misinformation and a lot of makers claiming you cannot mark knives effectively with a 10w setup. I mean not only are you doing it, you can’t get off with Blue fine scotch belt, which depending on which brand it is probably around 400 grit. So again thanks for just diving in feet first, slapping your marks on with the 10w and showing everyone it can be done and we don’t need to buy a $7000 dollar Chinese machine off of Dodgy-Baba! Cheers, Griff

[@craigversetti5700]

Just so your aware he has a 20w & 40w & was using the 40w to get these results. I have a 20w d1 pro with the 1064nm infrared laser and have yet to achieve these kind of results !!! The infrared is a fickle beast , has to be focused just perfect to work and the kickstand doesn't get it close enough to really work . Each one is slightly different than the next & focusing it take trial & error, the only plus is it doesn't hurt your eyes so you can look at the white dot and move it around to figure out what's best . A 10w def. Won't work like his did & I agree with some of the advertising being false !! Good luck

[@CruiseMonkeyGames]

A little trick for leveling odd shapes... I use a round bubble level. Gives you both X and Y leveling at the same time. Nice video, very well done. Looking to go the commercial laser route soon.

[@Joe_Bandit]

For your leather, you can get paper based transfer tape or laser tape in a big roll, stick the tape on before cutting then peel it off and it takes all the scorching with it.

[@Simplelittlelife]

That's a great idea! Thank you!

[@terryclair2914]

I have done Map topo pattern's on knife blades for customers and they are nice. Just depends on the customer.

[@TopKnife-TNP]

Super!

[@brysonalden5414]

I've also been resisting buying a laser, but it seems like lots of knife makers are going that route, so I'm probably behind the curve. It's encouraging to hear that the software is easy to use; I'm wondering about doing a more elaborate, perhaps pictoral etch on the full blade. My guess is that would be lots more complicated to set up, and thanks for your review.

[@Simplelittlelife]

Yeah I felt like I was 100% behind the curve too. But the free software they have for the laser is so intuitive and I picked it up like nothing. It is limited compared to lightburn (I'm messing around with that on a free 30 day trial) but for what I need to do I don't think I need more than the XTOOL free software. You can adjust the speed and power settings just with moving sliders up and down with your mouse. You can also do a light pass, check it, and if you need more power just dial it up and go over it again. After a few you can save the settings for various materials. It's work great.👍 I do want to do a big picture etch on a blade like a kraken or something like that. I will share it if I do.

[@brysonalden5414]

@@Simplelittlelife I really appreciate you getting back to me, and am now making my shop addition plan larger to accommodate a laser. I fear the addition will end up being larger than my main shop, as my tools breed and multiply in the dark, or so it seems.

[@ckfvideo]

To listen to the X-Tool facebook groups you'd think this could never be done with a 10W diode. Interesting to see these excellent results. Maybe I didn't waste my money on this thing after all.

[@seekerend]

Wow, this is good promotion for Xtool. Just bought mine. Have been on the fence since I wasnt sure about the 10w, but that is super clean.

[@Simplelittlelife]

Thanks! Yeah I thought 10W lasers weren’t good for etching steel but I have be proven wrong. I hope you enjoy yours!

[@stevereza8489]

I just bought one but couldn’t get it to leave a mark on my stainless knife. Did yours work on metal?

[@kkkastro123]

​@stevereza8489 did you ever get it to work on stainless?

[@jonbroadsword7572]

Mr. Spock, set your Phaser to 'Engrave'.

[@stevecarpenter98]

That's cool.

[@Simplelittlelife]

Thanks!

[@joshmajor8662]

I desperately need one of those!!! Lol still waiting on the msrp tho. Most act like it’s fair priced.

[@locksmithinginnovation11]

Are you using the 40 watt head to do your steel knife blades?

[@davesober2093]

What sound does a laser gun make in a church? Pew pew pew!

[@Simplelittlelife]

hahahaha

[@cameronrico6768]

Great channel. Thanks for putting out all the valuable content. Have you tested on something similar to 1095? If so, what’s your thoughts? Thanks in advance 👍

[@frankperrone1198]

Which head did you use for your touch mark? Also love all your videos! I've learned a lot following your journey. Thanks again.

[@Simplelittlelife]

Thank you so much! I used the 10W for all the markings shown in this video. It was just the template I put on the mild steel template that was with the 40W laser.

[@SNACKS1414]

I ordered my XTool about a month ago

[@Simplelittlelife]

Right on👍

[@stevehaynes2857]

I’d really like to see what this does on heat treated stainless.

[@ToolnKnives]

I've been wanting to add a laser to my shop. I now electro/mechanical etch my logo. I want to be able to etch/mark my logo in hardened AEB-L, 14c28n stainless and other high carbon steel such as 1905, 1045 etc. Was the blade you used in this video hardened? Thanks and keep them sharp.

[@GARYMANDIEVAN]

Did you use the 40 watt to etch the knife

[@MichelLinschoten]

You got to be careful etching doesn't take that much power. The more watt the more heat the more heat...the more likely you'll screw up the heat treatment of the knife.

[@TSGEnt]

XTOOL is cool. Thanks for sharing. Um I didn't use the cool shades when watching. I hope I'll be ok. 😉 I wonder how it would work as a tattoo maker. Hmmm.

[@Simplelittlelife]

Hahaha, I think you’ll be okay. For tattoos….I wouldn’t even want to think about what that would smell like. Veg Tan leather stinks enough.

[@craigversetti5700]

Im assuming you have figured this out by now but after the laser runs and you pull the knife off that's not actually the finished outcome ( in my experience ) you wipe it with rubbing alcohol or equivalent and all that black finish comes off . Ive had the 20w pro with infrared laser module for about a year now & to be honest its paid for itself but not from metal products , just from engraving woods & making knick knacks , Christmas ornaments and such . Ive been hesitant to take on metal items cause it seems to be more of a lite etch not an engraving , im trying to learn more and more and to use the laser with more confidence but i believe it can absolutely do some of the things you require but its definitely not a fiber or C02 type of outcome and there alot more expensive but can really do great things on metal materials . Also look into Lightburn , its way better than creative space and will help produce superior products...

[@Simplelittlelife]

I’m assuming you are doing it wrong. It works great for me. Cheers 👍

[@JohnFleshman]

My last girl friend bought me a "damascus" knife that turned out to be just laser etched 1040 steel piece of junk. lol. Hey if you sell it as laser etched I dont have an issue with that. but the seller in her case did not say that anywhere in the ad. lol.

[@hackdlc]

So were you etching with the 10w or 40w laser head? And how do you order the 40w head!

[@M13asan]

were you doing your makers mark with the 10 watt laser or the 40 watt? thx

[@Simplelittlelife]

This was with the 10W. As well as the hand image I put on.

[@johnwilliams242]

Jeremy was that with the 10w or 40W? pretty good way to offer some customization for knife making

[@Simplelittlelife]

All the logos and images were with the 10W laser👍

[@IronShepherdBlades]

Does the etching in steel go deep enough to last? Or will it run off if the knife is used?

[@Simplelittlelife]

I covered that in the video…..

[@stevereza8489]

I appreciate the demo, Jeremy. I just purchased the XTool D1 Pro, but had different results. I couldn’t get it to leave a mark on my stainless steel knife. Do I need to upgrade to the 40w? Did you get good results from the 10W or did you use the 40 for the video? Thanks again, brother!

[@jjjakins1]

You can try a few passes and see if that helps and make sure your focus is dialed in. I'd run a ramp test as the factory 'kickstand' isn't always accurate. You could also try a marking spray for a darker etch. The IR module is definitely more efficient than the diode on metals.

[@clintmoore7204]

Were you using the 10 watt or 40 watt module?

[@natdiamond]

I thought for knives and certain other metals that the laser could bounce back up into the laser and damage it?

[@willw7595]

Looks like you a Winer. are you going to use the hand as your mark from now on?? were you using the 10 wat laser or the 40 wat laser? looks you can do lots of things with the laser.

[@Simplelittlelife]

No, I have a t-shirt with that hand image on it but I might put it on a knife here and there. I did all the marks in this video with the 10W laser.

[@chrisdrew2110]

Was that the 10w or 40w you did the blades with

[@Simplelittlelife]

That was the 10W for all those logos. 👍

[@Berryhill1407]

Great video. Will it work on stainless steel?

[@Simplelittlelife]

Yes it will

[@TheBigburcie]

Laser etched handles for grip?

[@Simplelittlelife]

That would be cool!

[@Jahnewf]

Great video. I checked into your link to purchase what you showed. But i see a 10watt and a 20watt laser..... I dont see anything listed about a 40watt laser. Am i missing it?

[@Simplelittlelife]

The 40W is out of stock at the moment. When it is back in stock I will get an updated link. I apologize for the confusion.

[@Jahnewf]

@@Simplelittlelife oh excellent! No issue at all, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything obvious. Thanks

[@Fordham0815]

You hould really check out a budget fiber laser for engraving metal. nearly teh same price than a diod laser but WAY more effective and WAY faster! Xtools has also one in their portfolio. The F1. that would be way more handy for you.

[@user-sz9ud3my3t]

“Gateway drug” LOL. Looking at getting my first D1 pro in 20W. Will this model work on knives too?

[@Simplelittlelife]

It’s a great too for cutting soft materials like wood and leather and etching on steel. It will not however cut steel. It definitely was a gateway drug. I now have a 3D printer and am learning 3D design👍

[@user-sz9ud3my3t]

@@Simplelittlelife thank you 👍🏻

[@willw7595]

Oh i forgot. Red beard ops has a video on a laser. Have you looked at his video?

[@Simplelittlelife]

Yes I have. He did a great job on his video.👍

[@jonmacdonald91]

Did u use the 10w or 40w for the o1 tool steel?

[@Simplelittlelife]

That was the 10W. As well as all the ones I did in this video were with the 10W. Cheers👍

[@jonmacdonald91]

@@Simplelittlelife thanks Jeremy, can’t wait to see how deep of an etch the 40w will do

[@thomasbensch2703]

I have been waiting for someone to do a video on this for doing a makers mark. Thank you Jeremy!

[@2byforge]

So where you using the 10w or 40w for etching?

[@Simplelittlelife]

I find the 10W does a cleaner job and is still plenty deep enough. I think it might be a thinner beam with a 10W but that might not be true. I definitely prefer the 10W for etching over the 40W.

[@Simplelittlelife]

And this video I was using the 10W.

[@2byforge]

@@Simplelittlelife awesome!!! I just purchased one and will be using it for my makers mark!!! Thanks mate. Love your work

[@Simplelittlelife]

Right on! Thank you so much.

[@tek9102]

I cut a blade out of wood and two handle scale so I could make a 3D model prototype

[@Simplelittlelife]

That is a brilliant idea! Thank you for sharing that. I certainly will give that a try 👍

[@BanjoJeff]

Please check out some reputable resources on the safety of these tabletop lasers, the glasses are inadequate on their own. Also be very careful of the possibility of someone (or a pet) walking in, and you need far more ventilation. Once those things are addressed I'll be getting one myself, but they are quite dangerous.

[@lostfound8112]

Interesting vid thanks. I work in IT and this could be so useful. How do I get a free one? I'll make 100 vids about it lol. Also love your flag

[@joshmajor8662]

I just checked……. This is awesome BUT there’s absolutely nothing “affordable” about this!!! Haha 😂 what are y’all talking about!?? Lol

[@Simplelittlelife]

Compared to what you would pay for similar just a few years ago these are so much less expensive than they used to be.

[@jeffrangel93]

lol, fake damascus, LMAO

[@Simplelittlelife]

hahahaha!😆👍