Making A Knife From 1000 Ball Bearings

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Website - www.jpbladeworks.com/
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[@andrewneilson227]

The first rule of internet commenters is that the ones who comment the most/loudest are the ones that know the least. Your process is your process. I decided I was going to make knives the way I wanted to and everyone else can deal with it. Making knives is tough work no matter how you make them. Tools exist for a reason. Love your work, brother!

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thank you. I know that and in some way i say that stuff so they can complain more because at the end of the day they are keyboard warriors that watched forged in fire so they are now experts. I really enjoy messing with them. Regardless i love the support. And ill keep making cool shit.

[@Little_River_Forge]

Gotta love the keyboard master smiths that have never had a callus or a hard days work in their life 😂😂 ❤

[@thejamppa]

Tools exist to be used. There's a reason why those tools were developed. That is not to break your body like an old time blacksmith. Awesome knife!

[@JPsBladeworks]

some people refuse to understand that

[@tegaidayt]

Thank you for letting us know your reasoning for your techniques. I totally agree with you and dig your work!

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thanks. I appreciate the support!

[@edennis6446]

You are doing just fine. People are going to critique because they have nothing better to do. If your knives hold an edge and People buy them... you are a success Keep up the good work my friend

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thank you. I appreciate the kind words.

[@edennis6446]

@JPsBladeworks I just recently subscribed to your channel and it is going to be a pleasure to watch you grow and be a big name Blade Smith

[@JPsBladeworks]

@edennis6446 hopefully 1 day Im only 3 yrs in my youtube journey and a have tons planned for the future. I appreciate your support 🙏

[@landroveraddict2457]

I love that you are not afraid to take risks and are always pushing yourself. This will pay dividends in the future. If you were in the UK I would buy a knife from you but shipping from the US is just insane. If I ever holiday there I will be sure to put you on my must visit list.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Prices for international shipping is outrageous. Especially now a days.

[@RelicForgeCo]

Are you sure? Typically only costs me about $30 to send one of my knives from the west coast to a customer in the UK. Not too bad considering it's going to the other side of the world.

[@landroveraddict2457]

@@RelicForgeCo That's not bad, less than half what I was quoted. TY

[@CKelly5603]

I like the darker look. Everybody always goes for the shine. This is dope. I’d add it to my arsenal!

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thanks. Glad you liked it

[@samcostanza]

That's a beautiful blade, even if the pattern is hidden. I wouldn't be the least bit disappointed.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Its a holographic knife. You have to twist and turn it to see the coolness 😎

[@bobbygarrett9588]

Working Smarter not Harder! That’s a beautiful knife My Friend!

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thank you

[@paradiswest4395]

I appreciate that you take the time to do the prepwork on your projects. I dig your work.

[@JPsBladeworks]

thanks

[@collumjiggas]

This is my favorite knife of yours so far. Don't worry about using tools. A smart guy wants to be able to keep going even after he gets old. Don't wear em down to the nub.

[@JPsBladeworks]

I see some videos of old Japanese bladesmiths in their 80s still forging because they use power hammers. True masters of their work.

[@markinl.a.4954]

Perfect length of clip for my lunch break!

[@JPsBladeworks]

Glad i could be of service

[@ctasdmebrc4925]

Mine too😂

[@user-pf6sn8rd2l]

Being an amateur with no formal training allows you to do things that you don't know you can't! I don't recall seeing anyone doing a knife with that exact shape or finish. I'm impressed! I wonder what it would look like if you took the blade to a fine polishing wheel? Might be interesting. Awesome knife, man.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thank you. I appreciate the kind words

[@eddylirax]

This knife is beautiful. Looks like Enma from the anime One Piece

[@JPsBladeworks]

One Piece.. i see you are a man of culture 👏

[@Musrusticus6890]

I’ve never made a knife in my life but, for what it’s worth, I think it looks really good, well done.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thank you

[@tymz-r-achangin]

Easily got my thumbs up! Nice project. No stupid music. Let us hear the actual sounds of the machinery, tools, processes, etc. Learned to talk and gave us explanations in the video. No stupid computerized narrations

[@JPsBladeworks]

Glad you liked it

[@AaronBosterMD]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thank you for always watching. I appreciate it.

[@colejester161]

Keep it up. I look forward to seeing you progress.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thank you

[@scottblesi2469]

I like your knife, I'm surprised that there wasn't more pattern to it but still cool , 😊

[@JPsBladeworks]

If you hold it in the right angle out side in the sun and squint your eyes you can see all the individual balls but pictures dont do it justice.

[@reaperrt1019]

The only way to get better is to simply keep trying. In the end you didn’t get the pattern you wanted but you still made a nice looking knife. Good work

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thank you. Pattern aside it is one of my best knives that i have made in terms of feel, weight, and grind.

[@reaperrt1019]

@@JPsBladeworks I think it’s sick and i subscribed and can’t wait to watch more! I own a knife from a Forged in Fire champ and knowing it was hand made makes it my favorite knife.

[@zube6996]

Beautiful knife. I love the handle and the look. As others have said if you would have used some powdered steel the contrast would have helped show the pattern better. Keep up the awesome work.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Ive done it with powdered steel before and i get the contrast but i saw a video by another channel. I believe it was Hans and he did one with no powder and the end result was beautiful. But im assuming he used a different kind of ball bearing

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

Great piece as always man, and don't be ashamed of using tools. Like you said, it's 2024 and we have better ways of doing things. It doesn't make sense not to take advantage of them, especially after spending money to buy the tools. I'm betting anyone that says something like "why don't you do it the old fashioned way" has never forged anything in their lives. As someone that's trying to get into forging at 40 years old (with a connective tissue disorder) it's extremely hard to swing a hammer for an entire build, at least for me. I'm very thankful for presses and power hammers.

[@JPsBladeworks]

I've never done a fully forged to finish knife. Even when forging to finish i use the press to get a lot of the heavy work done in getting my piece to the appropriate length. Forging a whole piece to finish from start to finish is exhausting and time consuming. And time is something i have little of right now.

[@anthologyxanthologyx1215]

Great looking knife, good job.

[@JPsBladeworks]

thank you

[@Joseph-Colin-EXP]

Ever thought about getting a dc powersupply and doing a nickle coat on the balls, then doing the canister. Or do half of the bearings, then canister.... just a thought.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Yea i have no idea how to nickle plate thing. I do want to buy some nickle plated ones in the hope of trying again but im not sure where i can buy some.

[@telecatsermaster]

Nicely done!! You have to take risks to make an impact. Im impressed

[@JPsBladeworks]

I love experimenting. It doesnt walways work out but its always a learning experience.

[@telecatsermaster]

@@JPsBladeworks keep it up

[@Chillin-fpv]

Thats so nice!

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thanks

[@ih8music]

Pattern or not, that's a very sweet knife.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Its on of my favorites when it comes to weight and feel.

[@johnblase7830]

Beautiful knife!

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thank you

[@eskimo1000]

The knife looks very good for chopping up some onions 👍💯

[@JPsBladeworks]

its going to be a work horse in my kitchen

[@bodiejay2859]

Pattern or not, it's still a beautiful knife. ~Kevin

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thank you

[@charlescox290]

Have you considered electroplating the ball bearings with a contrasting metal after you've cleaned them?

[@JPsBladeworks]

No but it sounds interesting

[@rvsbladesnthangs]

Beautiful knife

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thank you

[@dagnard5707]

hope you save all those cut outs for the tang and will use them for an insane canister build somewhere down the road

[@JPsBladeworks]

I have them and i have a big canister already prepped for when i have enough.

[@AGRIV8TD1963]

Ball Bearings Dood!😂

[@JPsBladeworks]

🤣

[@dagamore]

I know it was not what you were going for, but damn that came out great. the fact that it is hard to find/see the pattern shows how unified and in to a solid piece of steel you got it. Might not be as pretty as you wanted it, but it should be a damn good knife.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Pattern aside its one of the overall best knives ive made to date. Im pretty happy about it.

[@jamesperkins9833]

Nice work. After watching you and others work with ball bearings I’m going to have to give it a go. Thanks JP for the video.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Give it a try. Its always a fun time.

[@kzarnold3678]

Interesting stuff 🤔 nicely done 👍

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thank you

[@guillermoalfaro2714]

Hi 👋 man?!!! I think it came out beautiful 😍 bro ohh yeah!!

[@guillermoalfaro2714]

Don't worry?!! It's a gorgeous knife. The powder separates the ball bearing because ball berings are 15 and 20, but it's OK. I love it

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thanks

[@rantzredd581]

Nice work! And if people don't like some of your techniques they can create their own channel! You think a Blacksmith from the 1800s wouldn't love to have modern-day tools? Of course, they would!

[@JPsBladeworks]

The would kill for our modern tools

[@concernedcitizen2868]

you in my top 5. Shurap is #1, he at like 1.3m subs. My one complaint, the wielding bro. I got sensitive eyes, the sun some days is so bright my eyes water and can't open them. I see better then 20/10 like i make 20/10 look like joke. the welding was bright so bright. Besides that, you killing it. Keep up the good work.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Yeah i need to figure out how they put green over the welding the way shurap does it. Editing isnt my forte and im learning as i go. Hopefully one day i can make enough to hire and editor that know what they are doing lol

[@mtnbkr8480]

Since you're learning by watching other videos, have you ever considered signing up for Kyle Royer's knife making course? I think that that would make a great multi-part series. That course looks very informative and I've been hoping someone would make a series documenting their progression through the course and making the knife. If I may suggest, The Bowie Knife.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Maybe sometime in the future. The stuff he makes is crazy cool. And hes a very nice guy as well as his pops.

[@GaisaSanktejo]

Lovely knife, I kinda guessed there wouldn't be much to see from the etch because the bearings are all the same type of metal and I believe the only way that would change would be if there were two different types of steel bearings mixed in or add the steel powder you *deliberately* left out.😉 All in all, I would call this experiment a success and the minor inclusions in the blade are character marks to me, not defects! 😊

[@JPsBladeworks]

The bearings have a chrome coating on them and i was hoping that coating would be the second metal and give it a cool outline but alas it didnt turn out that way. The knife is cool regardless 😎

[@GaisaSanktejo]

@@JPsBladeworks true enough and I understand, though it sounds like the chrome burned off before it had a chance to bond (darn, my fixing a typo removed your thumb up 😮‍💨)

[@joefergerson5243]

Make a knife anyway you can! It’s all 👍🏼 good! I would love to have a small hydraulic press 😊, I’m old😀

[@JPsBladeworks]

Im 30 and my bones hurt. I cant imagine once im older. I want to take care of my body as best i can. I think that starts with a diet too 😅

[@CatofManyFaces]

The pattern may not have worked but the knife is still gorgeous :)

[@JPsBladeworks]

The pattern was a dud but the knife over all was one of the best knives ive made to date.

[@concernedcitizen2868]

A idea, i think part the reason i like my #1 SO MUCH, is the ASMR aspect, you can take all your videos, make a JP's Bladeworks ASMR. As a second channel. Some people really into that. I also don't mind you talking at all. I like the insight to why or how for what reason. Just a idea, hope you get well soon.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thank you. I appreciate it. I used to do mainly just machine noises with little intermissions to talk about the piece but the videos didnt do as well as they do now but im sure if i did a fully asmr channel it would eventually take off.

[@OregonBladez]

Are you only etching in a coffee bath or did you use a ferric chloride/White vinegar first? I couldn't tell, from the first dip, it looked really thinned out. Nice work, great job!!

[@JPsBladeworks]

First i do 2 short baths in ferric chloride then i do a coffee bath until im satisfied with the color.

[@corgiboomer3924]

I like it brother!!

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thanks

[@4shinta]

Most people don't understand the amount of physical exertion hand forging everything takes. They fail to take into account that most of us just do this as a hobby and have actual jobs that we have to go to everyday. Saving some time and not being completely shot/sore the day after is important as to not affect performance at work.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Just turn to all modern Japanese knife makers. They all have power hammers they use for 95% of their forging. Its just more efficient and easier on the body.

[@brysonalden5414]

Even with the chrome coating, looks like the bearings still behaved like monosteel. I'm sure you will do this again with powdered steel for contrast, but the knife still works nicely!

[@JPsBladeworks]

The result wasnt what i wanted but overall its a dope knife

[@JohnathanBach]

Im supposing the pattern is lacking due to there being no powder? I think the blade is beautiful!

[@JPsBladeworks]

Yes. I was hoping the chrome plating on the ball bearings left enough for a contrast to the 52100 steel the ball is made of but it seems like it didnt work.

[@TheMotownPhilly]

Good video. You ever use PH down to remove scale, it doesn't have that awful smell like the acid and it really eats the scale off. Over night and it literally eats every bit of scale. Also I started using oil stones to sand and they really cut the time down by at least half over sandpaper. Keep up the good work

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thanks for the ideas. Ill look into the ph down. Im not sure what that is. I tend to use the acid because its quick and i cant really spend much time per build if i want to get enough videos out my channel doesnt die 😅

[@TheMotownPhilly]

@@JPsBladeworks sorry should have been more clear. PH down is a pool stabilizer. It's fairly inexspensive.

[@JPsBladeworks]

@@TheMotownPhilly and it works for removing scale? Im going to have to give it a try.

[@TheMotownPhilly]

@@JPsBladeworks oh yea it's like it melts it off. Mix it really strong. Be careful though cause I put a 52100 blade in and forgot about it for 2 days and it ate little holes on it lol. Overnight works really well but to be honest it may have been less time I just don't check it till I get up.

[@JPsBladeworks]

@@TheMotownPhilly ill give it a try

[@mattfranklin3622]

Do you think if they had these tools in the past they wouldn’t have used them? Exactly!

[@JPsBladeworks]

I like to think that they were invented for a reason.

[@virtusleather]

Beauty knife nonetheless brother!

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thank you. I appreciate it!

[@midnite1869]

Love your stuff, but for your makers mark I think I like the punch better

[@JPsBladeworks]

The punch works well and i like it but i think it looks better on the forged to finish knives vs etched knives.

[@user-cc3bo4lp7o]

can you give me a link or a name for that black glue you used for your handle. i would love it if you could.

[@JPsBladeworks]

I have an amazon link in the description of my video. Its Black CA glue.

[@jcubetube3778]

I’m going to try the muratic acid bath…I usually use vinegar but it takes forever and patience ain’t one of my virtues 😂

[@JPsBladeworks]

Muratic acid takes literally minutes and i keep reusing it until it gets too yellow. Only downside is that it stinks way worse and is definitely not good for you.

[@Oobadooba421]

It's a beautiful knife but in order to get a pattern don't you generally need two types of metal?

[@JPsBladeworks]

Yes. The ball bearing is made from 52100 but it has a casing made from chrome on it. I was hoping that chrome casing showed up more and gave it that contrast but it seems to have just darkened. Most likely due to carbon migration.

[@custardthepipecat6584]

I like it would be a awesome kitchen knife 🗡 🤙😺

[@JPsBladeworks]

Im keeping it as my personal chef knife. I really like the profile and the end result. Just no real pattern but oh well.

[@Deathwish708]

Yeah that's a bit of a bummer. The pattern didnt come out since there is no other steel for the contrast. But still nice craftsmanship. I didnt even expect the balls to stick to themselves. You proved me wrong. Nice job

[@JPsBladeworks]

The contrasting was supposed to be the chrome plating on the ball bearings but it was a dud. Overall a fun build.

[@Leonino_cesar]

Hail blacksmith!!!!!

[@JPsBladeworks]

🫡

[@johnreavis5024]

Just wondering why you didn’t use in powder steel in can. Not criticizing just wondering

[@JPsBladeworks]

To see what kind of end result i get. You never know unless you try.

[@jonbottoms8988]

I was hoping to see the ball bearing pattern

[@JPsBladeworks]

Me too

[@williamstokes7432]

Can you create an original stamped bowie

[@JPsBladeworks]

Not sure what a stamped bowie is but ill look it up

[@williamstokes7432]

Nice one

[@manuelrubio1957]

I want to buy one of those great knives man! Tell me how to do it?

[@JPsBladeworks]

You can go to my website and sign up for the newsletter and ill notify you when i do a knife drop.

[@DONJUILIO]

Looks great to me. Your work gets better and better every video. If they don't know about distortion in hand shaping. You might as well be arguing with a bollard.

[@JPsBladeworks]

I am but i seem to like to state the obvious lately. The people who comment those things just want attention or to try to ruin others day because they are miserable. I dont take it to heart. I appreciate the support.

[@DONJUILIO]

@@JPsBladeworks Stay true too you are and never give in to those who cannot.

[@ianstradian]

Those guys telling you to forge your knifes fully and not use the modern tools probably live in an apartment complex and don’t have any tools or equipment and will never be able to afford the equipment and tools.

[@JPsBladeworks]

They tend to be people who have never held a hammer and have no intention of doing so. They just feel better making a fool of themselves online in the hopes to get a crumb of attention from another human.

[@johnreavis5024]

Is there anywhere to order steel and other materials that’s not just a killer on shipping?

[@JPsBladeworks]

I order mine from Pops Knife Supply. They ship out of Georgia so it isnt too bad. The bearing balls i order from PNG Bearings and they ship out of Florida so its reasobable too.

[@cedricathlan9399]

Patterns in monosteel laminations come from discoloration from dirty welds. In India, for example, there's what's called "dirty Damascus" where they add rust and a little cast iron powder to purposefully make dirty welds in order to get patterning from a stack of the same steel. You were just at the other extreme end of the spectrum: your welds were so clean that they just don't show up at all, which in a sense, is a prowess in itself even though it isn't exactly what you were looking for!

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thats interesting. I didnt know they did that. I was hoping my contrast would come from the chrome plating the ball bearings has but i assume that carbon migration darkens it up too much.

[@cedricathlan9399]

@@JPsBladeworks I'm not so knowledgeable about the properties of chrome but I do know it burns really easily on the surface, since overheating chrome-based stainless alloys past a certain point will destroy their stainless property because all the chrome on the surface burned off.. so maybe that's also what happened here? Not sure. Prolongyed forge-welding temperature of your billet might've just burnt all the chrome off of the ball bearings, leaving only the natural chromium content of the 52100 steel.

[@JPsBladeworks]

@cedricathlan9399 thats a thought but if i look closely i can see the individual balls. If the chrome burned off i would think it would leave no separation lines in the weld. Like when i forge stacks of 1084 to make a thicker piece it leave no traces of a previous weld.

[@cedricathlan9399]

@@JPsBladeworks well, then, I'm a little bit at a loss. Not sure what was going on then, maybe the chrome didn't all burn off but wasn't thick enough of a coating to create a striking contrast.

[@JPsBladeworks]

@@cedricathlan9399 thats my thought

[@paranoiia8]

5:45 I dont understand people that dont want to use "machines" when forging, because ""uuu, its not handmade classic/vintage/original, you should use your own hands as back then they didint use machines, and they used coal, and one hammer, and that and that..."" They didnt use it because they didnt had it, if they could use mechanical hammer and press, they would drop their tools and run to it like teenager girls seeing boys band concert.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Yea those people act like they go outside and start a fire to heat their hotpockets. When we all know they cant live without a microwave.

[@AGRIV8TD1963]

WD-40?

[@JPsBladeworks]

It helps with the welds

[@AGRIV8TD1963]

@@JPsBladeworks No kidding 🤔

[@loriengagnon9815]

Hey JP. Do you do custom orders?

[@JPsBladeworks]

Yes and no. It depends on the build and if its interesting enough to do a video on it. Since i have a full time job and i do youtube builds it really doesnt leave much time for custom orders.

[@toumicarlos4037]

👍👍👍

[@JPsBladeworks]

🙏

[@rvsbladesnthangs]

People who complain about the tools are the ones who don't have them and don't understand...

[@JPsBladeworks]

I guess they dont know that the og smiths that were fortunate would make a waterwheel on a river and connect it to a wooden power hammer centuries ago.

[@volkangunyeli]

👌🏼🌼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼

[@JPsBladeworks]

👍

[@chrislognshot]

need macro lens to see all details. i am photographer

[@JPsBladeworks]

I have 0 knowledge on lenses. I use my smartphone for all my recording and pictures. I appreciate the info.

[@michaelcb27]

I don't get it!? 😮 Why cut, Real forge!!

[@JPsBladeworks]

Rewatch the video. I explain why.

[@Dark808Soul]

I don't quite understand one thing. Why do you actually use the pliers for pressing? It always annoyed me, I always weld on a rod, it's much more comfortable.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Because i like to press top to bottom on the first press and if i have a tod welded on it gets in the way. Thats the main reason

[@Dark808Soul]

@@JPsBladeworks ok got that

[@Ize30_]

A classic “all the gear, no idea” what a sorry excuse of a forge weld 😂

[@JPsBladeworks]

It happens

[@AGRIV8TD1963]

Sloppy! Sorry!😢

[@JPsBladeworks]

🍪