Make A Whittling Knife

Another sawzall blade knife, this one for carving. Read more here: ibuildit.ca/projects/knife/

[@mistdlegendre]

really nice job i have a bunch of blades i wore out but kept them, I've been a carpenter for 14 years and have most of the tools you used, i also kept my old files to make knives but never crossed my mind to make my carving knife from a sawzall blades, thanks for the wicked neat idea i do a lot of hand made flutes ,this is perfect!!

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks and thanks for watching. Glad you liked the build, it's been a very handy addition to my tools.

[@2Video4Tech]

The man in the street loves doing what he likes, no matter the price. And loves other people doing the same. That's why this kind of videos have always success.

[@wornwizard]

Excellent video! Very thorough and well edited.

[@Masowai]

Myself, I don't need to know how to make any whittling knives. I already have a few. The reason that I watch these videos is because I admire the ingenuity of this guy. I hope you can appreciate this guy's efforts someday. Its really cool from my point of view. Cheers.

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks and happy new year! The heat treating was just an estimate, since I don't know the exact composition of the steel. Still, a pretty good guess, since the blade did harden nicely. The temper time and temperature seemed to be about right as well. This was just a different way to make the handle. Using a smaller blade and the shape of the tang made this style of handle more practical. The other knife is holding up very well and I don't expect the glue to fail anytime soon.

[@JohnHeisz]

@Jay2525Jay Thanks and happy new year! There's a lot more detail in the article on my site - see the link in the description.

[@JohnHeisz]

The stock sawzall blade is treated for highest toughness, not edge-holding hardness. I hardened the cutting edge and it is much better at holding an edge than the original blade. I think it's worth doing.

[@ApplesofGoldcrft]

Thanks for the tutorial John. I really enjoyed it. I have the tools you were using so I am going to make me some whittling knives.

[@the430movie]

Now this is the America i know, and grew up with! Excellent video... Anyone can do this with desire, and a little know how! I've made a few knives John, including a draw knife and some wood carving chisels... My father showed me tempering many years ago... You can basically do this with minimal tools people... You just have to be crafty and savvy....

[@JohnHeisz]

@n8guy It holds an edge keen enough to shave with (though i don't use it for that). Thanks for watching.

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks, glad you liked it. Good luck with yours.

[@JohnHeisz]

Probably a lot more than you would want to pay. Better to dive in and make one yourself - that's what this is all about.

[@JohnHeisz]

There is tons of info on hardening, free for the reading - Google it up. The black stuff is used motor oil (I actually answered that already, in another comment). The motor oil was heated up a bit and when the blade is plunged, it's not as much of a shock to the steel as water would be. The blade could possibly crack if quenched in water. Oil doesn't boil off like water and is better for uniformly cooling the blade.

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks! I appreciate that comment, since it's the same for me. I like to watch how someone else does things and possibly pick up a trick or two. The real upside of KZbin.

[@58belvedere]

This is not shop class in school people,this is the real world. great video!!

[@stomashek]

Thanks. I live in Germany now and was recently given several East German whittling knives made in a factory that also produced Kalashnikovs (AK-47s). The blades are good metal but the handles are, well, East German--I've been thinking about making new handles so your video was helpful--aware that I need a few other tools to make it easier. You can see the knifes on my website blog, Schneeberg entry.

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks! Just used motor oil. It worked well for this small blade. I can see your point though, especially if the part is bigger. Could thin the oil with some paint thinner (varsol).

[@JohnHeisz]

This was testing the edge. Cutting wood dulls the blade, and if it can still slice paper cleanly afterwards, the blade is good and stays sharp.

[@TheWoodman1948]

great video! I made a couple of my own using the old blade from a large band saw with 3/4 inch wide blade and also using a couple of blades from an Oldtimer knife that had been broken. They came out beautifully.Thanks for the tips and demo!

[@cwadub]

Nice job love all your work!

[@JohnHeisz]

It's the style of knife, more for roughing out a shape than for fine detail work.

[@n8guy]

Really, really cool. And sharp!

[@JohnHeisz]

@Ivarsday Thanks! I like the short handle shaped like this - feels very good in my hand.

[@JohnHeisz]

Great site! I've added a link to it from my site - I think my readers would enjoy it. Good steel deserves a good handle, for sure, so good luck with those knives.

[@zXAnimeKingXz]

Awesome! What a great little knife!

[@JohnHeisz]

Correct on the epoxy, but a little off on the fumes and toxicity levels. Most slow set epoxy does not emit harmful fumes and is not toxic.

[@JohnHeisz]

Making stuff like this is not about economics, it's about doing something you enjoy. I didn't get the tools I used just to make this knife, I use them to make other things as well. Having a few tools opens the doors on what a person can do, creatively. Besides, everything I did here can be done by hand, using hand tools - it just takes longer. Give it a try.

[@2Video4Tech]

And not only that. You will also be proud of the good knife you were able to make, and you will have the right to tell to everyone that you made it by yourself, so they will know you certainly know how to make a knife... and a video. Man, that all is worth much more than 20 bucks, so I wouldn't be too worried about what balonman5 has to say XD Thank you very much for sharing your skills ;)

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

It's not as easy as you might think to find that perfectly shaped whittling blade you need for a given purpose. Besides, most woodworkers, or men in general, will have the tools to make their own knife. An angle grinder and belt sander aren't exactly specialized tools. No one is suggesting that one would go out and buy an entire collection of tools to construct, well... anything. In a pinch, files will do the trick. Personally, I appreciate this video. Thank you, jpheisz.

[@nightterror007]

this video played fine on the KZbin app on my phone. Beautiful piece!

[@JohnHeisz]

@ecrusch Thanks! I'm glad you like them.

[@Pete-from-Tn]

Enjoyed this a lot. Also would never have thought about drilling a hole and then holding the blade with the inserts. Will be making a few of these blades to try out. Keep up the great work and hope to see more great ideals on carving knifes and other ideals.

[@LeopoldUlysees]

Just superb, brother.

[@ecrusch]

Great video. I'm going to make one to have as a nice hand-made shop knife. I really enjoy your videos and learn a lot. Thanks! Eric

[@JohnHeisz]

@tyke471 Thanks! Very good steel in the higher quality sawzall blades - worth playing with, for sure.

[@JohnHeisz]

You don't get it. It's not about having a knife or how much it cost or how many tools it takes to do it. I don't know if you've taken the time to watch any of my other videos or to visit my website. I you do, you'll see that I do this kind of thing a lot: make things that are readily available for sale in a store. There was a time, and it really wasn't that long ago, when there was no Walmart to go and buy the junk we need - you (or someone who knows how to) would have to make it by hand.

[@Golfbob]

That's one fine knife ya got there...

[@randmthght]

I absolutely love this make a series that you have

[@deezynar]

I cut down an old full tang kitchen knife. It was pretty simple to do and it cuts well.

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks, couldn't have put it better myself.

[@amgfj11]

Great vid thanks for showing how it's made so I know how my knives are made when I buy them!!! Five star rating is what you deserve so I'm giving you a five star rating cus you rock

[@edge1518]

Thanks very informative really enjoyed.

[@catwallop]

Nice work !!

[@JohnHeisz]

This blade is high carbon steel, so it can be properly heat treated. It's hard through and through. That's case hardening you are talking - not what I did here. The oil was only to quench the blade.

[@dragon3831]

that was badazz....well done!

[@JohnHeisz]

Tempering makes the steel a bit softer and less brittle, so that it won't break as easily. It also relieves the stress from hardening.

[@johnjude2685]

I'm backing you

[@brandishoogy]

very nice video,, i really enjoyed watching you make that..:D turned out fantastic!!!

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks!

[@JohnHeisz]

@MysteryBowl Drilling the round hole and using 2 half dowels was was something I came up with on the spot, and thought it would be an interesting way to do it.

[@JohnHeisz]

After the belt sander, I polished it with 1000 grit paper.

[@countnickoli]

i figured that that little sawzal blade would b to flimsy to work but i guess that i was wrong. good job man.

[@JohnHeisz]

Safety advice is appreciated, but I did make the darn thing!

[@JohnHeisz]

@apatientspider I'm not entirely sure, but I'd guess high carbon steel (L6 I believe it's called) since the blade was for cutting wood, not metal. Happy new year!

[@BAK87]

That's a scalpel almost! Good work, love your tools!

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks. It's just a normal sanding belt, 120 grit.

[@deepankarchatterjee5895]

very systematic. nice video

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks. What you describe would be perfect, if you only hold the knife one way. I use this knife for many things and don't have a set grip. For me, this shape of handle is probably the most comfortable. BTW, very nice work - I looked at some of your carving videos. Really well done videos too!

[@museabc]

Cuts like butter

[@raztuss]

you're throwing chips with it so that's the most important thing,Awesome vid you did great with it,hell if you made them I would buy one or two from you.It's great to some people who keep the old ways alive instead of going to Wal-Mart for everything,besides it's hand made looks great and functions well,keep it up my friend.

[@bluesky5542]

Good job love it.

[@rampagingrog]

One word fantastic!

[@639Beaver]

Great job.

[@MISERSTYLE]

Ya that's pretty cool. Lucky. I wish I had a little workshop at home.

[@JohnHeisz]

@BowHunter5100 I had to have a look...lol. A bit suggestive, if you are on the look out for that kind of thing. I'm getting a good sanding stroke on my wood, for sure. Yes, make one - a pleasant experience and very rewarding.

[@JohnHeisz]

I'm dipping the blade in water to cool it. It doesn't much matter the brand of sawzall blade, as long as it is good quality. This is not an instructional video, just a look at how I did it.

[@poppamies907]

Very nice work with simple tools! And the safety.. well that looks a lot better than mine, almost lost a finger about a year ago, got 8 stitches and a big scar to my thumb as a reminder ;)

[@ScottsUtubeWorld]

I wish I knew the method of splitting a dowel to mount a blade, YEARS ago. BRILLIANT!

[@thealocin11]

Wow that was awesome

[@LiruJenkins]

Very nice, I was thinking of making a new hilt for a kitchen knife which has broken, think I might go with this technique.

[@peiro]

Nice video man!

[@crystalalford2548]

love, love, love this

[@docwilkey]

I enjoyed the video maybe someday I will have to give it a try.

[@dpelcherjr]

As soon as I clicked send I realize he was Canadian. I sent him an email and he responded on a positive note. But thanks for letting me know.

[@MrDangboom]

I understand that paper slicing is usually a way to impress people that a blade is sharp,if you want to test the true sharpness of a carving knife,just use the end grain. It is the best way,my grand father & a few highly noted carver's I know would have discouraged cutting paper as well as a test of sharpness on a carving knife. Stick to end grain,it's the best way. I don't mean to be critical...I had this instilled to me at an early age. ;)

[@RickMcQuay]

Great video, thank you.

[@stomashek]

Nice video--As I was watching I was thinking about how you might make the handle more ergonomic--(since I use a knife like this full time) and I thought it would be interesting to take a handle sized lump of clay, squeeze it in your carving hand as if you're holding a knife and then use it as a jig to fashion the handle. Not only ergonomic but customized.

[@JohnHeisz]

Don't wish it, make it happen! :-)

[@wpsteig]

Fascinating.

[@angelluvesyou]

great video

[@ed1max]

Great video thanks

[@DavidAinscough100]

Awesome!

[@JohnHeisz]

It's just a normal belt. 120 grit.

[@JohnHeisz]

That was a piece of spruce.

[@Kairat1969]

I am like you man ^) Will never throw away, always find a use a new life for stuff :) PS. Thanks for ideas by the way ;)

[@JohnHeisz]

Funny, you didn't notice that I didn't use a knife to make this knife?

[@hassleoffa]

I've been playing around with freehand shaping a bit. You'll find a lot easier going with a rasp for rough shaping.

[@that70sshowaddict]

impressive!

[@JohnHeisz]

Power tools are our friends :-)

[@ironsmiter]

spot on... Brine or water would also work here. The steel used in most of these blades - very forgiving. Obviously if you KNOW the type of steel(O1, CRS, drillrod...), you can tailor the quench.

[@JohnHeisz]

There are degrees of hardness, and these blades are usually softer to make them more flexible. The paint comes off easily with grinding, so why mess with a solvent?

[@streetarteagle9093]

Great Video. Just got some blades made by a Kwakwaka 'wakw blacksmith, will definitely use some of your tricks to make my handles.

[@JohnHeisz]

You miss the intent: Not looking to impress, just demonstrate - slicing paper is more dramatic than carving off end grain. Personally, I don't use either method to tell if the blade is really sharp.

[@JohnHeisz]

Sorry, I don't make these to sell.

[@MrEltsack]

Thank you.

[@labrat7357]

Nice job. I think I will have a go this weekend. I have some small section 01 tool steel laying around. I am glad your blade worked out but unless you know the steels make up, the harening and tempering could just as easily end up with a cracked blade that will fail when you least expect it. Regards

[@Twotoesohyeah]

This is the story of a man who refuses to use a pocket knife.

[@alvaliable]

I love your videos, especially how make card scraper I subcribe greetings from argentina :)

[@JohnHeisz]

@9000red Thanks! About 2 hours of video boiled down to 8 minutes - much editing.

[@JohnHeisz]

I don't make these to sell, sorry.