The Easiest Way to Start Making Knives - KIT Knife Making Project

[@RedBeardOps]

To the new makers out there, I hope this video gets you in the game!!

[@jkneer1560]

It has! I made my first after watching this! Thanks bud!

[@ReignForever]

My second knife I made looked alot like this one. Too bad YT doesn't allow picture comments. Good luck with the bladesmithing!! I hope you are still makin blades @jkneer1650 !!

[@toolman9081]

My wife gave me a DIY knife kit from Man Crate back in the day. I believe it was a Jantz product. The Man Crate kit came with a little table clamp Vise, hammer, pin stock, bolster stock, knife blade heat treated in 420c, wood handle scales, rasp, files, some sand paper and epoxy. It was a fun project and it certainly played a role in me getting into knife making. Great video. Glad to see you're back uploading again.

[@RedBeardOps]

Very cool! I with that was how I started. It's good to be able to break up a project like making a knife. Glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@stevevanderhorst5234]

I'm a gunsmith by trade. And, you've inspired me to start knife making. Thank you. I do a lot of camping; fishing, and hunting here in British Columbia, Canada. Thanks again.

[@RedBeardOps]

Heck yeah! You'll be great at this!

[@vandelftcrafts2958]

That fit and finish is better than a lot of makers that actually sell their blades produce.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you sir!

[@sjrkemp]

Thank you for the great video showing how anyone can "make" a knife even with limited tools. We are sending you some G-Flex to stock your shop for more projects.

[@RedBeardOps]

That's the goal! I don't want anyone to feel like there is a large barrier to entry for this awesome craft.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you by the way! Glad yall enjoyed the video over at Jantz!

[@huxmetalworks7371]

That's a great job and I like the fact you gave us that may not have hat much skills thanks for sharing your skills

[@RedBeardOps]

Cheers! Good luck with your builds!

[@levijosephcreates]

For the UK/Euro folks out there Brisa has some great blanks, going to make an Elmax flat trapper but will get a cheaper kitchen knife for the first run.

[@chinochine4739]

Hello my friend 🤝 Very best knife 💪💪💪

[@MrBrokenwrenches]

HEB! Pretty cool seeing the best grocery store brand in a knife build lol

[@RedBeardOps]

lol, gotta love HEB

[@sudo_nym]

Great message James!! 💪🏻

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks! Cheers sir

[@michaellutke654]

I used those same scales on a friction folder

[@donttreadonmining9146]

Cool bro, I thank you for taking the time to produce the video.👊

[@RedBeardOps]

You bet! Cheers

[@ericmoore2236]

Good video Sir 👍 thanks for your time and showing your way to make blades 👏

[@RedBeardOps]

You are very welcome!

[@tiffanyashby1793]

Man I love those scales

[@RedBeardOps]

They look slick don't they?!

[@tiffanyashby1793]

@@RedBeardOps yep

[@williamemerson1799]

Good on you man! Twice a winner. Beautiful knife, excellent charity. 👍🍻

[@RedBeardOps]

Cheers William!

[@titahammerroblbox6444]

Ñ???jobuñmlyombi

[@johnyerkovich4954]

Thank you for this fantastic video

[@RedBeardOps]

Glad you liked it, John!

[@CCCfeinman55]

I appreciate the clarity and attention to detail. It helps that you don’t pull your punches when discussing flaws, mistakes and failures in the process of making a knife. It’s especially kind that you show how you resolve any issues that come up. Thanks!

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks for the comment Chuck! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@Orlosthedruid]

Dont know if you will see this, but I have followed your lead. This video and the other one about Harborfreight build tools, Ive assembled my own little toolbox dedicated to knife making. The one thing I was able to add, was a 30 yr old 1x30 sander with a 8 inch disc. I start practicing my handle making today, using cheap 2x4 lumber...knowing I will mess up several before I feel ready to use expensive wood for real handles. Wish me luck!

[@RedBeardOps]

NICE! good luck man!

[@ReignForever]

This knife profile is very similar to the second knife that I made. I really like the looks of that handle material. Thanks for the videos!! KZbin knife makers have taught me everything i know about blade making. 😊 we as beginner blade smiths are so very fortunate to have makers like you to bring us along on this journey!! Thank you again!! Thats a beautiful blade!

[@RedBeardOps]

Glad you're getting something out of these videos! Cheers!

[@MrSoloun]

Great Vid, good idea for a first build and way to get started.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks! I thought so too

[@cadepeacock9293]

Great example for a beginner knife! I use compressed paper wheel kit from Razor Sharp, and finish with a leather wheel and green compound. Always produces a great edge, and helps practice keeping a steady hand on my grinder!

[@RedBeardOps]

Very nice Cade!

[@astormofwrenches5555]

This is pretty great. I'm looking at some kitchen knives to handle. Hopefully wont be too challenging, I could use some Ws.

[@RedBeardOps]

This is a good one too... old but good - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYvMoGCdqtWfY7c

[@astormofwrenches5555]

Thanks bro. We dont deserve you.

[@RobanyBigjobz]

Very nice back to basics video. This is definitely the kind of project I'd recommend to anyone wanting to try the craft :)

[@RedBeardOps]

Glad you liked it! I have some friends who needed this one... so I figured it would be a good one

[@garycallahan7867]

Great video as usual! Really good timing with the school year ending you may encourage some young people to try this out. With the income from some mowing or odd jobs they could buy the hand tools and supplies and even a 1x30 or 4x36 belt sander or a vise if they don’t have access to one.

[@RedBeardOps]

That's a great idea!

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

I started with a 1x30 and I still use it from time to time. A 4x36 that tilts vertically is a pretty decent upgrade from the 1x30 without spending a grand or more on a 2x72. Obviously the 2x72 is the most versatile, but it's understandable that most won't have the budget for one starting out, or at all in some cases. The ultimate cheap DIY is a file jig made with stuff you can get at any hardware store, but they only work if you plan to do heat treating and you're starting out with a soft blank.

[@stoyanatanasov8012]

Very informative, many thanks for this vid mate, many many thanks ^^

[@RedBeardOps]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gabeofalltrades0770]

Lanskey makes an amazing set angel sharpener

[@willw7595]

Nice video. Ya can't to many tools when making knives. From watching your video i think you can use this in your knife making process. plus, you can use it for other things besides knife making. Have fun.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks Will, I agree man... can never have too many tools! LOL

[@_BLANK_BLANK]

My favorite method is definitely using stones. I Sharpened knives for money well before I even considered making knives. I find stones give you the most freedom when sharpening. You have almost unlimited options for stones to choose from. Naturals (Arkansas, coticule, japanese naturals), oil stones, synthetic water stones, diamond plates, resin bonded diamonds, vitrified diamonds, cbn abrasives, strops with different compounds on them. Just to name a few. Plus there's no chance of adding any substantial amount of heat to the literally micron thin apex (which anyone who has ground in bevels on a knife knows the thinner the material the easier it is to over heat). Also I find I get the most control with stones.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks for your thoughts sir! I like it

[@drewior3]

I use a 1x30" grinder that I clamped on its back to a table. That way it flat like a stone (even though I am horrible at use a whetstone) My normal grit progression is 240, 400, 600, 1000, then leather 1x30" belt with buffing compound

[@peters6850]

I just got done making my first knife. I considered a knife blank but i thought it would feel more like assembling instead of making so I used an old file instead

[@RedBeardOps]

Nice!

[@mikerobertson4041]

Thank you!

[@RedBeardOps]

Cheers!

[@tccorIllustrator]

thank you for the video

[@RedBeardOps]

You bet!

[@yodamasterx1869]

There's a company called water jet knives that send a blade blank and u sharpen it and ad everything else also.

[@netolima1888]

Show ...! Como se diz aqui no Brasil ..," você é o cara " parabéns..

[@RedBeardOps]

Obrigada! Saudades do Texas!

[@netolima1888]

@@RedBeardOps , thanks .

[@StephenMott]

Ordered a couple of those clamps, from your links, interested if they will actually deliver to the UK this month.. 🙂

[@RedBeardOps]

lol, good luck with the shipping! I'm a huge fan of those...

[@StephenMott]

@@RedBeardOps remarkably they got here in a week! 😀

[@ckfvideo]

I keep coming back to this video. Im in Canada and can get one of these Jantz blancs but in tool steel. Would it still be easy enough to work with a file and sandpaper. I'd like to try and follow this guide before investing in a grinder and building a kiln.

[@RedBeardOps]

Good luck with your build!

[@born2befree559]

Thats would be great if you do some wild type of knife made with limited instruments use

[@RedBeardOps]

Good idea!

[@WalterSmith-f5u]

like all the info,watched for years,every night learn with your video ,next morning do the same on steel several years so much fun ...sorry to moan, but i fell, long time since ben into the shop..trying get back in...thanks walter

[@RedBeardOps]

Glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@clouded777.]

I'm trying to get into knife making as a hobby and possibly to make money as a 13 yr. Do you have any special tips for teens?

[@RedBeardOps]

None, other but to be patient and be safe. (glasses, respirator, hearing protection)

[@clouded777.]

@@RedBeardOps thx alot 😃

[@WalterSmith-f5u]

what kinda steel do you use i tried o1 rust fast d2 hard to sharpen i sent uot for heat treat pricey thanks walter

[@RedBeardOps]

I'm a fan of 1084... it will also rust though. If you want stainless I like AEB-L

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

For first time knifemakers, maybe try a 30min epoxy if you have it. When I first started, I made the mistake of using the same 5min epoxy I use for everything else...you wouldn't believe how nerve wracking it was trying to do all the things needed at once for the first time before the epoxy cured. Needless to say, my epoxy job needed a lot of cleanup once it was done curing. Save yourself some trouble, use a slower cure and wipe all that epoxy off with some acetone or alcohol on a rag/q-tip. James, I use the wicked edge sharpener. It takes all of the human imprecision out of the picture that results in a less than perfect edge. You can dial in just about any angle you want, and it's repeatable in the future for knives you've already sharpened. If you put a 20deg edge on a knife and it's now dull, just set your sharpener at 20deg and bring it right back with hardly any effort and less edge removal. You can get a great edge with the basic stones, or you can go broke buying alllll the stones and strops and stopping compound and lapping film they make like I did.

[@RedBeardOps]

I agree on the epoxy good point on the wicked edge

[@titahammerroblbox6444]

Amnesia retrógrada 🤠

[@WalterSmith-f5u]

what do you do ,your shop is very clean, thanks w.smith

[@RedBeardOps]

Glad you like it!

[@jcowen2670]

Looking for clamps. What is that small screw clamp you use

[@RedBeardOps]

I use these, but it looks like they may not be in stock right now - amzn.to/3QjAyVz

[@Dreweldeenknives]

Do you just eye ball to measure plunge symmetry ? I got some Indian blanks and they need some cleaning up

[@RedBeardOps]

for the most part I do; sometimes I'll put a file guide on the knife and scribe target lines on both sides of the ricasso

[@Dreweldeenknives]

@@RedBeardOps these will be my first builds ! You ,like Walter ,present excellent demonstrations ! I’ve been free hand sharpening for a year ; so I’ll start with handles , finish and edge work before the stock removal experiment starts

[@Journeyman1642]

Can you send me a link to the lime green sanding stone you were using?

[@RedBeardOps]

A link to the diamond sharpening stone is in the description of this video.

[@dawnettegaddis4947]

are those handle scales similar to acrylic acetate?

[@RedBeardOps]

The material is almost like PVC... plastic-ish

[@Huntinghogs]

I’m curious if the blank was heat treaded?

[@RedBeardOps]

Yes this one was heat treated.

[@Huntinghogs]

@@RedBeardOps thank you

[@Jim-fr3gr]

Was that blade 440c.Have ever made a knife with that steel .

[@RedBeardOps]

Yes it was. Me either!

[@Brick_dont_hit_back]

What type of sanding paper do you used ?

[@RedBeardOps]

Big fan of Ryno-Wet Sandpaper from Pop's Knife Supply

[@JH_HAY]

Great video what thickness scales would you buy? I have 3/16” in my cart on MMS

[@RedBeardOps]

I like 1/4'' scales for a handle like this one. If you want do do any coke bottle shaping you could go thicker like 3/8ths.

[@willardjames2685]

Where did you learn knifemaking?

[@RedBeardOps]

Cruising blade forums back in 2006! Still one of the best sources of knife making knowledge out there!

[@gavinlewis003]

You use some expensive sandpaper. Though Indasa abrasives are high quality, I think they're overpriced.

[@RedBeardOps]

I do. I've always liked that stuff. You can get them in bulk from Pop's Knife Supply for a decent price.

[@gavinlewis003]

@@RedBeardOps Me and my dad do some body work on cars, and Indasa makes the only sticky back sandpaper we could find to fit the acrylic blocks we use. A hard bill to swallow after it was all said and done, but I was impressed with how well it performed.

[@frankheger5185]

👍👍🍻🍻

[@TorpedoRider]

Are you using a oxygen mask?

[@RedBeardOps]

Not exactly - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoOVln-Fgd2AjLc

[@AndrewLeonov]

Biiiiigggg FAT like!!

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks!

[@JoeyB7615]

I didn't know KillSwitch Engage's drummer made knives..

[@RedBeardOps]

Glad you liked the video Joey!

[@hoamai2734]

If you can't grind down an old file or leaf spring, you shouldn't even be thinking about making your own knives. Serious

[@RedBeardOps]

Man not true. I have friends without the required tools for some of that; they got started with blanks.

[@18deadmonkeys]

how do I get away from pin halo? I've made about 15 knives and that still crops up?

[@RedBeardOps]

Hey man, This seems to come down to how square and accurate you can drill the pin holes. I use my mini mill and a 1/4'' precision counter bore on most of my hidden tangs. A good drill press will do it as well.

[@18deadmonkeys]

@@RedBeardOps Thanks!

[@dirtywhiteboyllc.5050]

Great Video, good idea for a first build and way to get started.

[@RedBeardOps]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers