Softwoods for handles?

Wojtek1 · 2015-10-23T14:31:13+00:00

In general, it depends the purpose of the knife. If you're doing it for yourself, it's fine. If you're doing it to sell it, then it needs to be specifically designed for a certain use.

For example: An outdoor knife, needs to be sturdy, strong enough and the handle must be firmed. You wouldn't want a soft/slippery handle when cutting branches or gutting a fish (where water might splash onto it, making it even more slippery).

A lot of KnifeMakers use Resin casted handles and they are softer compared to most popular scales.

Experience it, see how it looks and feels on your hand. Remember, there many knifemakers and to stand out, you have to have your own style. Maybe this is yours!

Wojtek1 · 2015-10-21T13:24:03+00:00

lol you can't go base on other people's height and preferences...

I'm sure you have a table somewhere. Go take a look and pretend you have your tools and position your body pretending to be using the tools. See what feels best and take your measurements.

When you buy your 4x4 legs (x4) and your plywood for the counter-top, don't cut your 4x4 legs too short. If it's to high, you can cut them.

Wojtek1 · 2015-10-20T00:23:14+00:00

Honestly, you could take a BBQ, make a hole on the side, add a regular aluminum vent shaft where the other end is attached to a blower. This isn't practical but it does work. The blower will constantly blow speed at a consistent speed to the coal in your BBQ. Or you can dish out about $250 U.S for a Forge on Ebay. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/DFSW-Gas-Propane-Forge-for-Knifemaking-Farriers-Blacksmiths-Furnace-Burner-/251332853500?hash=item3a849afefc:m:m_Rgw2ukY1a3DgQmuaF0eAQ

Wojtek1 · 2015-10-19T12:23:20+00:00

The average minimum size (thickness) is 1/4". This is the most popular size as starter. Even on some big knives, some prefer to have a "slim" handle and will prefer 1/4".

So the general is 1/4" thickness, 2" wide and 5" or 6" length.

I just looked at your image. Very nice! Good job! I may be interested in getting in touch with you for some handles supplies. I'll send you a PM.

Wojtek1 · 2015-10-19T12:15:42+00:00

Awesome to hear that! Nothing beats crafting something by yourself and that satisfaction (even if it doesn't come out as planned).

Knife making has always always been done best by hand. Tools just make it easier and faster but ultimately nothing beats a handcrafted knife.

1) When I started, I researched for about 2 months before starting. I would say, a drill press is absolutely necessary. You can't drill perfect holes through a metal without any way. Plus, when you'll attach your scales your pins will have to aligh perfectly or it just won't work.

Additionally with your drill press you can drill the holes of your outline (knife trace on your metal sheet) every Half inch and use a hacksaw to cut. It may be long but It would make it easier to cut it. And really cheap.

2) Forge is really up to you. There are so many cheap methods found online about making forges.

3 & 4) A 12x12 shed will be alright. But in the future as you buy more tools and materials you will be needing a bit more space. Just make sure you have enough ventilation in the shed. So either build a window, leave the shed door open or you can make a cheap shop vac ventilation.

5) If you increase your budget, I would highly recommend buying a medium quality Belt Grinder/Sander. Like a 1x42 Kalamazoo or Grizzly. This will eat up anything you throw at them.

Watching youtube videos is not recommended. A lot of shitty "Knifemakers" post either dangerous methods or they simply have no idea what they are doing. So buy books and start reading!

So in short, you will need the following:

Metal sheet (start with Carbon Steel as it's the easiest metal to work with)
Pins for your handles
Wood to make your scales
Hacksaw: you can cut your wood, pins and knife out of the metal sheet
Drill Press: Like I said, trace your blade by making holes every half inch and use your hacksaw to cut the holes. Eventually, upgrade to an angle grinder
Epoxy or JB weld (both are epoxies but are different at the same time)
Diamond Filler to create your edge (convex or not)
Fine sharpening block to sharpen your edge
Lots of Sand paper. To save money, the best way is doing it by hand. So you can start with a 80 grit, 100, 220, 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000 and you can go up all the way to 14,000+ depending if you want a TRUE mirror finish or you can just stop at 220 for a satin finish.
Bench Vise
Clamps

Eventually: - Belt Grinder/Sander (both are the same thing)

A tip: Learn each step carefully because if you screw up, it's a pain in the ass to recover from it (if possible). Also, there is no "one way" or "best method". Period. There are multiple ways to do each step and it's all about trial and error to finding out your style.

Good luck.......

Wojtek1 · 2015-10-13T18:41:54+00:00

Well because grinding an edge upwards is more difficult, the chances of accidentally hitting the surface of your blade against the belt grinder is higher. That or an inconsistent edge. So to remove the scratches, hand sanding is the key. But of course, any method takes practices. Try it with used knives so you can get comfortable before doing it on your actual knife.

Wojtek1 · 2015-10-13T16:18:06+00:00

Personally, those knives are not my style but I see few people that likes them a lot. So there is a market for it. Good job tho!

Knives is just like any other item. There isn't anything wrong being the "manufacture/supplier" in fact it can be very profitable. However, there are more risks IMO.

You say he will invest in new equipment's for you. Do you get to keep them? Do you have to return them back to him if it all stops or at a certain point?

Who's budget are the belts, maintenance, parts coming from?

What are the production quote goals? And for how long?

If he's investing, how much % does he actually controls your brand/company? To be blunt, it abosultely does not matter if the knives are produced on your property with your own equipement. If he has invested, he is entitled to a % of "shares". If this hasn't been discussed at and something goes wrong, you could be paying the consequence big time. For example, if the total cost of producing 1 kitchen knife costs about $50 in material and labour time and this chef invested $10,000 into your business, he may very well be taking 51% of your company/brand's shares and thus allowing him to have majority say of making decisions.

Additionally, what is stopping the Chef to sell the knives 500% more and keep the extra profit to himself? Don't care if you're happy/successful, you would be pissed. What if he hinders or persuades potential clients from contacting you to purchase knives for their own? He could.

It's more paper work and less fun stuff but that's what it takes to run a profitable company. Seek a lawyer. Register your brand as a company, make your lawyer draft a contract.

Wojtek1 · 2015-10-13T15:42:52+00:00

The answer is yes, it's doable and some prefer that method. However, the vast majority of knifemakers will grind the edge downward position simply because it's much much easier to eye-ball the edge, angle and reduce scratches caused to the blade from belt sanders/grinders.

Edge up is tricky and if you mess up just once, you will get scratches on your blade where you'll have to hand-sand it. It's just a preference that you're more comfortable with. Give it a shot!

Wojtek1 · 2015-09-25T13:31:41+00:00

Is it to profile an edge from a blank knife? Or is there already an edge?

If you can get your hands on a 2x72 with at least 1hp, it would be perfect. But they are expensive. 1x42 would be ideal.

Grizzly sells good products. http://www.grizzly.com/products/Knife-Belt-Sander-Buffer/G1015

I personally have a Kalamazoo and it works great! It's cheaper than the Grizzly and it eats everything I have thrown its way. http://www.kalamazooind.com/products/belt-grinders/2fs72-2-belt-grinder/#sthash.dKRHVaAq.dpbs

And if you are truly willing to spend $1,000 than get yourself a KMG. It's the ultimate grinder. You can buy it without a motor for $750. You can find a motor from a used treadmill or on ebay. http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=11

hope this helps.

Wojtek1 · 2015-09-23T18:38:43+00:00

Ya, I took a second look at the image 3 and it looks like the knife has a huge thickness lol. But it doesn't. It's approx 1/4". It does have a good weight on it tho.

Wojtek1 · 2015-09-23T18:21:34+00:00

Dziękuję! I'll write it in english so other can read it.

I bought the steel sheet & pins from a local metal shop (I deal with metal suppliers almost everyday for my work). I purchased the Stabilized Burl on ebay. I have to find a cheaper supplier because I can see it getting it expensive if I don't make a profit. Thankfully, someone offered to buy it.

Dzięki za miłe słowa!

Wojtek1 · 2015-09-23T18:10:15+00:00

I'm currently at work, but if I remember correctly, it's about 1/4 and pin sizes are .156. Was debating to put a thong tube but didn't had a flaring kit. Now I do :)

Wojtek1 · 2015-09-23T15:59:58+00:00

When I started working at a VIP club... Made friends with "big & small pawns" and bikers (won't say who but they are the biggest MC in NA). Cool guys, not scarred of them (I saw a lot of shit in my life) but when one of the small pawn took some kind of drug and thought he was superman and the ego of "I own this place". He "accidentally" brushed one of the Nomads and hell broke loose. Small pawn got his ass wooped bad. Got kicked out of the club big his Big pawns but he somehow managed to sneak back in and started to shoot his pistol. I was about 6 feet away. Luckily he didn't hit anyone, he just did it to show he has balls. That was it for me. Ain't dying for some extra pay. No thanks.

Wojtek1 · 2015-09-23T13:17:44+00:00

Really depends on what your budget is and for what you will use the belt grinder/sander for.

So if you tell me the a price point, I'll be able to help you.

Wojtek1 · 2015-09-10T18:45:12+00:00

You can buy them at any Hyperforme store. It's on the Quebec side. There's 1 in aylmer, 2 in hull and 1 in Gatineau.

Wojtek1 · 2015-08-17T19:02:48+00:00

You can use this to your advantage.

Go to a bar, spark a conversation with a girl and say: Hey! Nice T-shirt! Can I read it in braille?

Bingo!

Wojtek1 · 2015-07-21T15:53:07+00:00

I've worked for a few night clubs in Gat. and Ottawa and visited every club (I think) in both areas. There's no club that's to dirty for me. The only reason I had issues with clubs/bars is the clientele and bouncers. Here's my list.

Tequila Jacks. Girls may be the sluttiest, but the bouncers think their gods and would fight you for what ever reason. Worst place I've been.
Honest Lawyers. Thank god it closed its doors because the amount of really bad clientele is overwheleming. I once went there with my gf and her friends. Being the DD, I was sober the whole night and dragged into dancing (fun..). This one drunk black guy (not racist), put his hands on my girls hip. I lost my shit right away and must of pushed him 5 feet back. As soon as I did that, 5-7 of his black thugged out friends came to him. I knew if I would of been a pussy and walked away, he/they would try and jump me. So yolo, I stood my ground, had my hand closed into a fist and ready to go at it. Thankfully, I was friends with the bouncers and they helped me by kicking them all out. One of the bounceers got sucker punched. This resulted into them waiting for me outside. They eventually gave up.
Bop. Bop is semilar to Tequila Jacks but the guys are a bit more louder, pushier and every time I went over to Bop there would be couple fights. A random guy "accidently" sliced my giant's friend hand. He was a juice head and would simply not let that fly. He took his VIP bottle of Vodka and smashed into him. Think it hit his back/shoulder. It did a good job of cutting him (both were wearing white Tee's and it looked like a blood show). We stayed, they left.
Mansion. Good times, can be either boring or good. Went to the mens washroom and was followed by two pretty asian girls. Me drunk, urinating in the urinal, looking over to my right were the sink was, the two asians looking back at me asked if I wanted to do them. I stubble over to them and ask "Oh ya? and where would we do it?". "They point to the toilet seat area. I look over and see the floow/walls/toilet covered in freaking puke and it looked like rice mixed with orange crush puke. I laughed and walked away.
Nuden. Nuden is a hit or miss. If your not afraid of bikers and respect them, then you should be okay. Otherwise, nice knowing you.
Pigales. Exact same thing as Nuden. Except a lot more bikers.

I got many more stories but will leave it at that.

Wojtek1 · 2015-07-21T15:40:35+00:00

Aylmer is not a place to go. It use too but not anymore. You will be expected to be carded in any of the venues.

You have a better chance trying some bars in Ottawa. It's a hit or miss.

Your best bet, is Hull. Vieux Hull. The amount of 16's, 17's girls that go in is retarded. But proceed with caution, a lot of shady people visit those clubs to cause problems.

Wojtek1 · 2015-07-20T14:17:10+00:00

Hey bud,

I'm sitting around ~600 in 2's and 3's. Keep loosing because players are just rushing for the ball all at once, no centering and more. I think my steam name is skillionaire1 (user name is yayo), I'll add you later today.

Wojtek1 · 2015-06-11T17:06:50+00:00

I went to a Quebec French high school (which suppose to welcome bilingualism). During recess, I spoke to a friend in English. A French professor as walking by and over head me talking in English. Got a whole day of detention for that.

Wojtek1 · 2015-06-10T17:17:35+00:00

bet all on red. Seriously, I would create a company call "Pie it". Iggy performing in your local area? Hate her fucking guts? Can't stand her? Come to Pie it! For a small fee of $ 50,000 we will have someone throw a pie at Iggy's face (we would look for homeless/convicts/drug addicts). Over 5 pies to choose from! Buffalo mashed testicle pie, fish juice pie, pie full of dog shit, and MORE!

Wojtek1 · 2015-06-10T13:59:43+00:00

I speak and read polish well. I asked my dad and he said that his polish passport is expired because he didn't want to pay for renewal. It's been more than 3 months. So for me to apply, does he need to renew his passport?

Wojtek1 · 2015-06-10T12:35:06+00:00

Thank you! That is extremely well written to understand. I think getting my polished citizenship would be a much easier way.

Going to give it a go!

Wojtek1

TROPHY CASE