Making a Bushcraft Knife from an Old Putty Knife

I made a small bushcraft knife from an old heavy duty putty knife. This will only work with the putty knives that have a thick heavy duty blade.
Music;
"The Annual New England Xylophone Symposium" by DoKashiteru (feat. spinning merkaba)
ccmixter.org/files/DoKashiteru...
is licensed under a Creative Commons license:
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

[@beltfed4624]

Functional folk art in its finest and simplest form, keeping it clean and down to earth. Recycling resources and making a useful knife, thanks for a good video.

[@ArtisanTony]

Thanks a bunch! :)

[@freedomfighter0011]

working on construction sites for years ive seen tons of these ad hoc knives made out of almost any kind of junk laying around and they are great just because they can be made razor sharp and cost nothing. dont worry they may not be custom knives but they will cut almost everything u need to cut on a work site or at home and they cost nothing, besides no one takes their expensive blade to a work site to cut all kinds of crap and the beauty is when its wrecked u throw it away and make another one. great job on recycling one unneeded tool into another useful tool

[@moonblink]

aw c'mon pavo, use the knives you bought. knives are much prettier when they've been through the shit.

[@honestdave]

Fun fact this was one of the very first KZbin videos I ever saw. Still one of my favorite people to watch.

[@doob776]

always fun watching someone tinker around. Inspiring.

[@RogerEngle]

You know, I saw some of the negative comments on here and to be honest, I think Tony just made a useful knife out of junk he had laying around in his toolbox. He says he still has it and uses it three years later, so I'm guessing the blade wasn't weakened drastically by the heat from the grinder. (Although I will admit that I have heard that as well.) I just wanted to make some constructive suggestions on your sheath, Tony. You might want to try making the sheath with a strap for the handle and a couple straps with snaps that wrap around the sheath for it to hang on your belt, horizontally. It's just an idea. I would like to see the results if you try it. Also, for the stitching, there are a couple of tools you can buy. One is called, (I think) a gouger, or groover, that allows you to cut a groove at a measured distance from the edge for a nice straight stitch. The other is like a little gear on the end of a handle that gives you equidistant marks for your drilled holes. That way your stitches are all uniform in length. I don't know what it's called, but my mother had one in her sewing box when I was little and I saw a leather craftsman using one to mark where he would punch holes for his stitching after he had his groove etched. Just some suggestions for making your crafts more aesthetic. As far as survival goes, you look like you've got an edge on me. No pun intended.

[@angelus_solus]

He never said what he used it for. It's great for slicing, and light carving, but that thin of steel is too flimsy to use on anything heavier. It will bend and potentially cause injury.

[@raymondbailey1970]

i made a skinning knife out of a scraper last year that steel is the toughest ive come across i think ,,great work mate thanks for sharing,,stay safe.

[@theosalt1]

Wow! Could never have done that without you showing me how.

[@ArtisanTony]

Make sure you het the thicker putty knife. :) the newer putty knives are too thin :)

[@AltairOO4]

Ever tried creating something yourself? The sheer pleasure of making something yourself that is gonna be useful,and then when you use it and you remember the details of making it brings so much joy and on top of that the knowledge that it aint a generic piece that you can buy at any store is enough for me. You should try making something :)

[@TheDrewbutler88]

ugh, the comments on this video are torture, everyone is a critic these days. this is a beauty looking workhorse of a knife. so what if the heat from grinding diminishes the strength a little? i don't know for a fact if it even does, or if it would to a point where it matters, but the idea of a homemade bushcraft knife is to have a tool you can beat up on or lose and not feel too bad. keep up the good work man, this video inspired me to repurpose all my old putty knives, and for that matter any flat piece of metal in my shop.

[@angelus_solus]

Wow, neither of you obviously know fuck all about basic knife making, much less metallurgy itself. Overheating hardened steel doesn't make it weaker, it makes it softer and thus STRONGER. Short lesson in heat treating steel here, kept simple so you'll understand it. Hard steel is weak and brittle, but has greater wear resistance. Softer steel is tougher, but won't hold an edge for shit, and that especially applies to tempered steel that's been heated to the point of turning blue! When that happens, you may as well have started with mild steel since the temper is gone, untill you grind away everything thats been overheated. With paper thin steel like this, you have to use a light touch and cool it often and even then, about .04 of the very edge will still be burnt and need to be removed by stones. The fact that you flat out said: "I don't know for a fact if it even does," and that you want to do it with "any flat piece of metal" in your shop makes you least of all to be verbally chastising others for pointing out his ineptitude. In reality, you're being an ignorant butthurt little bitch and that's all there is to it.

[@allaussietraveller9879]

@@angelus_solus it sounds like you've watched a KZbin video about heat treatment, not understood it, and now are one of the "metallurgists" mentioned in his comment 😂😂😂

[@trevinshippey5150]

alright so I know its obviously not a going to make a great knife and all the knife snobs of course have to criticize. but I had an old putty knife and the tools necessary to make a similar knife and it actually is holding an edge really well and is pretty damn sharp. now the blade is this and bends a small amount but it really isn't flimsy. this is a good means for a knife that will get the job done and is really really cheap to make and because of the space you have to work with you can really customize the shape of the blade. its a good knife. props to the maker of the video.

[@hewfil1]

You're an extremely smart person. The old putty knives had much better steel then the crap used nowadays. My dad has putty knifes that could slice you to the bone because they're old style and they've been used so much the turn into a sharp edge.

[@bigdbugs]

To all those saying that it won't hold an edge ...news flash....I have several good quality drywall knives that have sharpened themselves just from use and I could skin a hog with any of them. I actually file them off to dull them since I have cut myself on them. A tip for Tony, I make my sheathes and with the knife in them put them in a vacuum seal bag and vacuum seal them for a few days, the leather conforms to the shape of the knife and handle and makes a great looking fit and holds great too

[@randalflagg9086]

The amount of health and safety trolls hitting on this guy for making something "for FUN"amazes me, get a life fellas, grab your ruck and go get some dirt time maybe then you'll chill the fuck out!!

[@tomwiltshire8244]

all they are saying is that 'creating something for fun' could turn into 'going to hospital minus a finger'

[@goldwolf9995]

Waking up and getting out of bed in the morning could lead to your death, so what.

[@TheAngryGnome]

I think that this was a cool proof of concept video. I make my own knives from time to time (I blacksmith as a hobby) so I started out with stuff like cutting sheet metal and sharpening it, now I'm taking a piece of metal and shaping it into a blade. Keep experimenting, see where you end up. :)

[@tomdownard3277]

Thanks for taking the time to show us this. Everyone is a critic, and everyone seems to want a $400 knife for 15 minutes work, and bitches when they don't get it. I like what you did, and was just putting my tools away when I noticed I had an old Putty Knife that would work great for this. Thanks again for taking your time to do this tutorial!

[@papaya1955]

Tony ! I watched your whole video and didn't even notice it was you until I recognized your hands ! You taught me how to make nice holsters !!/////////////////////////////////

[@matteedstrom]

Have you EVER tried a grinder before this?

[@louisortega5605]

oh fer crying out loud ! the guy is just showing his idea of how to make a knife. I thought it was cool. I could make a shank out of anything myself but I found this really interesting

[@ArtisanTony]

Thanks! Most people don't get it.

[@johnmeow4473]

ArtisanTony I'd still suggest to most people diving straight into a known suitable steel. At least then they have a product at the end that they can use. Nonetheless, entertaining video.

[@TheChipmunk2008]

John Meow Largeish kitchen knives are a good place to start, you can cut them down to size and you KNOW the steel is good :) (unless it's a dollar store knife lol)

[@johnmeow4473]

***** It costs very little for a small bar of annealed steel. Here in Aus it's way more expensive and I can still pick up a bar of AEB-L for 40-50 dollars. (less than $30 USD), and that's for a 48" bar :P

[@dias17se]

ArtisanTony Loved the circus music !

[@TecnicaX]

Nice idea

[@billyjoeduval9075]

That's Cool! Got to make me one!

[@ArtisanTony]

Thanks!

[@craniumbear]

that could be a great knife for cleaning fish!

[@beardogtube]

That's a cool idea for a knife. I suggest that you make a paper pattern for the sheath next time. You wasted a lot of good leather that could have been left on the whole piece if you had just traced and trimmed from a pattern.

[@ArtisanTony]

So many people don't realize what freedom means. Thank you!

[@Revansstuntdouble]

I think its awesome that you respond to your viewers positive or negative.

[@Red-rougeP]

Not sure what's funnier, this being classed as 'knife making' or watching this burke try to cut a spreading blade with no support under it !

[@ArtisanTony]

well aren't we snooty :) I got 1.4 million views. I am happy with that :)

[@johnmarston8868]

I literally cringed at how close he got his finger to the cutting wheel. don't put your fingers that close people

[@owenfrost777]

You can use a dinner fork to mark the leather for stitching. Helps keep the holes even spaced and lined up.

[@poppopscarvinshop]

That's a Dang Good Idea! Thanks Much Tony!

[@omniXenderman]

sooo....how ya gonna heat treat and temper that knife

[@user-dp4fk9oe9x]

its already hardend

[@omniXenderman]

maby to putty knife standards but not for a hunting knife

[@PlazMoify]

omniXenderman He never said. "yeeeh imma make a hunting knife outta dis shit and cut me som racoons or deers!" He said "Bushcraft knife from old putty knife".

[@ShaunWitt]

omniXenderman lol

[@sibalogh]

You don't need to heat treat it because it is already a tough knife blade, didn't u see the sparks it was throwing during grinding? It took him quick-smart 7minutes to modify it to a "Bushcraft Knife". Learn from it how to be quick-smart...! ;) :)

[@Wuei108]

If i am in prison one day i will use this manual.

[@clarkfamilyadventuretours5052]

As someone who just posted a few KZbin videos myself I can appreciate the spirit of your video. I make knives from files, rasps and sometimes I buy 01 tool steel. While I'm not sure that putty knife is made of high carbon steel that would hold an edge....I stop and think...who cares? You are having a good time making something in your shop and sharing the idea with others! For one, this would be great practice for someone who wants to start making knives. I respect anyone who decides to put their ideas to work and actually MAKE something!

[@shootinnscootin5545]

This is a cool idea. I've recently started making knives out of old files and then making handles for them but I'm gonna have to try this.

[@dracovenit9549]

Just saying safety gear would be nice, esp for any kids watching. I was thinking you should have used some forceps or something and some gloves perhaps?

[@dracovenit9549]

I love the video and the idea.

[@kakusei3672]

All the crap on the internet and your worried about this guys video not showing gloves...

[@ArtisanTony]

Munch Story LOL, trolls are hard on people :)

[@dracovenit9549]

lol artisan if you think that is trolling your going to have confusing time. Much story, yes I'm worried about that "crap", but not so much to troll someone on it. Sure gloves would be probably enough, there was a moment there when was sure he was going to get injured.

[@Syph1l1S]

i was thinking ur a no life fuck who needs 2 worry bout something else

[@kubaspicak5387]

Man, you just wasted a shitload of good leather there...

[@randycurtis1176]

I saw that. I actually liked the video as it was just what it claimed to be. Back to the sheath, how easy it would have been to carefully mark the holes before drilling so that the stitching was neat and evenly spaced and actually followed the edge of the sheath. My grandfather made kitchen knives out of saw blades, from fairly thin hand saws to thick two man felling saws. He cut them out with a cold chisel and used files and stones to finish them. Granddaddy 'cheated' in using an electric drill motor and bit for the slab handle attachment.

[@SWhite-hp5xq]

And your mum wasted a good egg, but most are willing to overlook this fact.

[@jamesoconnor6657]

S. White oooh shit 😂

[@irishsavage8715]

He didn’t waste the leather, me and tony made a whip and ball gag with the scraps for when we tag team you mother. We rotisserie her weekly.

[@kevinrowe3936]

Tnx your how not to stitch segment cleared something up for me. 😀

[@ArtisanTony]

Thanks :)

[@room311tattoo]

I am a bladesmith myself. And I really liked this one.Simpel, effective and it does the job. Not de best knife around. But gr8 project.

[@ArtisanTony]

If you don't like the music, turn the volume down or go watch a Britney Spears video :) or call the government for disability checks, lol

[@irishsavage8715]

ArtisanTony isn’t that a really thin knife, and what about heat treating it?

[@ArtisanTony]

new world record :) but it was just an experiment because I did not have any other knife making equipment

[@BLCaptainCrazy]

props for the knife and for using DoKashiteru's music he/she rules

[@SmiTTyy-sh8nc]

I think that turned out pretty good for what it was ! 👍👍

[@SKVPC]

Thanks for the video post. The knife & sheath looked good!

[@TheVeloHobo]

I can't believe anyone would 'dis this. I think it's great. You used your creativity to make something useful. Cool.

[@Brainwave36]

What a great idea. I just consolidated all of my tools in my garage and discovered that I have a gazillion putty knives. I think I inherited most of them because I can't think of the last time I ever used one. After watching this video, I'm thinking of making a knife for my nephew.

[@charlieknibbs6203]

This is 10 years old??! Damn... amazing video!

[@caibarien71]

that is the best example of reclycling....very good idea.

[@liamnolan7850]

Well done Tony, for pure innovation,

[@dreem1walker]

Now as you say, it's an experiment an as such .. I find it interesting. Creativity is always fun to watch, no matter the result. Thanks for sharing.

[@ratmq]

Cool Video...Great way to get more miles out of a washed up putty knife! Cheers!

[@jenggo4ever]

this is the most great idea so far.....thank you

[@RAULRICARDOPAZOS]

great job, seriously... renovating things is great.

[@BP_306_]

this is awesome iv been looking for ways to make a cool little knife now i found an awesome way

[@danidaimondzofficial582]

Finally a knife that i can try making

[@peterashipman]

Nice video. My father was a machinist for 40 years. He'll make a knife out of just about anything.

[@dontcallmetravis]

Amazing how you turned an ordinary putty knife into a bushcraft shaped putty knife before my very eyes! That thing will hold an edge about like a butter knife unless you heat treat it.

[@RievnArgentae]

it looks great!!! and i like the aged effect!

[@Nigglebaun]

I like it. Simple reuse of an old or unused object.

[@hambone307]

I like the way the cap rivet stitching looks.

[@lostworld762x39mm]

band saws are so awesome i'm glad I don't need to use an angle grinder for this kinda stuff lol

[@spongerdude7]

Nice man! I enjoyed the leather working more than anything

[@Dan.A.]

Tony: I very much enjoyed your video, and I appreciate your creativity and DIY spirit. It may not end up being the best knife ever, but it cost you almost nothing to make, and it was never intended to be a show piece. Pay no attention to the haters!

[@CJ_7519]

When you hear the 80's music, shit's about to get real, lol😆!

[@X_explorer]

Nice vid! I love looking earth, discover and relax...

[@TinyIslandMaine]

I have more than a few old scrapers - I think I will try this . Thanks!

[@cookaboorra]

Nice and lovely done!

[@thaiguysabu]

just imagine if a firesteel could shoot out sparks like that. great video.

[@Projacked1]

very cool idea , and cheap too :) , always like it when someone comes up with something new

[@MrSIXGUNZ]

made mine from a dollar store!! wow sharp as can be!!! PVC ready to make a cover for it, just mite be my favorite knife now lol thanks much and blessings Sir!!

[@tommybrannon]

Nice, I would end up in the ER if I tried that...great job

[@ichootu17]

Looks pretty good there tons of fun!!

[@PlazMoify]

Damn! I did not realize that a old putty knife could have so much carbon. I really like those sparks!

[@aslamartnet]

Very cool! Nice workshop too!

[@ejstech]

Love your common sense approach! Freaking brilliant!

[@wanegone7756]

This guy is very creative. way to go i know i cant do anything nice like that. Way to deal with extra time on your hands...You sir deserve two thumbs up. Nice Job

[@IronheadOfScroteus]

I've made these knives. The spring steel is easy to sharpen and tough and you can find all the scrapers you want at yard sales, flea markets, and thrift stores for pennies.

[@Lavendeltea93]

Awesome idea !!! Thanks for sharing it with us ! :)

[@ArtisanTony]

Thanks a bunch! )

[@Spinner5151]

Love the rough and ready approach.

[@beck2557]

that's pretty sick bub, it'd be a great backup for sticking in the dirt and whatnot to spare the good ones.

[@ozzyscruggs1]

Burst pattern = high carbon, plain steel. Lots of pretty carbon stars. HSS is another lovely blade material. Red, non-bursting stars . Very attractive knife, short, thin blade = good working tool. Upcycled stuff can be beautiful beyond its humble roots.

[@calebwhittington3749]

This is awesome! I'll have to try it! Great video.

[@survivalnpreps1242]

Top stuff! Good fun!

[@ArtisanTony]

This is one of the older heavy duty putty knives and hardly bends at all, thanks!

[@andrewwilson8317]

The older a scraper you can find,the better. I buy up all the old ones with carbon steel blades rather than stainless. Does not matter how much paint and crap is on them,they all clean up good.

[@lukehardy5504]

tony this worked great. thank you it really helped

[@crowhawk6626]

A great idea. One of those "now why didn't I think of that" ideas. A bit wasteful on the leather. lol. Those automatic awls are a handy thing when sowing pouches, gloves,etc.

[@PeteySox]

Very Cool! Thanks for sharing!

[@estevezposanmiguel9339]

That's for sure a very nice handcrafted job

[@justjohnny6559]

Great project! I really enjoyed this video.

[@ArtisanTony]

Thanks!

[@TheChesh77]

Brilliant, keep up the good work.

[@victordelkath8489]

This could definitely hold an edge, see how "fluffy" the sparks coming off of it are when he grinds it? His putty knife was evidently made with decently high carbon content steel. Have fun and nice work!

[@iypman09]

Very cool...nice job, Bud!

[@mds19238]

All in all-------wonderful project. As to the usefulness, I think your idea is great, so much so that I made one. God bless, keep up the good works.

[@roundballrolls2762]

great video . Specially loved the sheath making. Thanks.

[@manueldsalinas2147]

Really cool. Great work. Thanks for sharing.

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

Maybe not a bushcraft knife, but a fishing knife. Nice idea anyway!

[@nazt1000]

looks legit keep up the good work man

[@ArtisanTony]

It's no miracle, it is skill :)

[@RandellMonaghan]

Awesome Knife, this was a excellent video.

[@elgostine]

i think it's nice to see this kind of thing

[@tonywalker8030]

Your first time, congratulations.

[@hashtagprincess]

I've never made a knife before, but I know plenty of people who have. Leaf springs use hard steel suitable for knifemaking. But, depending on what type of tools you have, you may need to blow torch it first, and let it slowly cool. Leaf springs are tempered for hardness and toughness, making it difficult to grind. After blow torching it, or just heating it over 400-500F will make it lose that temper. After grinding it, you'll have to temper it again, so that it's usable.

[@23davvy]

Awesome Video!!!