How to Build a Knife

How to Build a Knife
So you want to make a knife?

I'm not here to dissuade you (rather, I'd like to encourage you), but let me first get this out of the way: knife making is a slow, delicate, painstaking, multi-faceted, sometimes frustrating process. It requires skill in metalworking, woodworking and design, patience, attention, and general levelheadedness. You have to take your time if you want to do things right, otherwise your experience will be sub-optimal. Even I have trouble with this sometimes, as this project will, itself, show you, and some of my past projects will blatantly scream...*wink.* Don't be frustrated if your first project doesn't come out the way you want it. All good things take practice, and you may make several knives--or several dozen--before you make one you really, truly have no beefs about. But it's good fun, too. You can do it. Don't worry.

Okay, so you still want to make a knife. Read on.
 
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Step 1First thing's first...design the blade!

First thing\
The design of your knife is the single most important element of its construction. In my designs I try to find the best compromise between functionality and looks. I abhor inefficient fantasy designs and have a profound dislike of Persian-style blades--you know, the kind shaped like a banana--but if you like a specific design, go for it.

First, plot out the blade and handle shape on graph paper. Try to get it as close to actual-size as you can. The less changing you have to do to the design once it's on the steel, the better.

Now you need to decide how to attach the handle to the blade. There are three common methods of doing this: a full tang, a partial tang, or a through-tang. A full tang has the same profile as the handle of the knife, and the meat of the handle is formed by two slabs of wood (scales) to either side of the tang; most good knives are made this way. The knife I'm making here is a full tang knife. A partial tang is the most inconspicuous of the three and, in my view, the hardest to make. In this design the tang is a rod that protrudes back from the blade and is completely hidden inside the handle, secured with a rivet or two. Japanese swords and sushi knives are made this way, though the latter is secured with a cuff rather than rivets. A through-tang knife is similar to the partial tang except that the tang extends all the way through the handle to be secured by a nut or by peening on the other end. Ka-bars and most turned-handled knives are made this way. Choose whatever best suits your project. There is plenty of info on the web if you're not going to make a full-tang knife, though I recommend it for a first project.
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873 comments
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Feb 4, 2012. 2:42 AMrwintersgill says:
what would be a good width for the knife to be because i don't have a model to work off
Jan 19, 2012. 10:32 AMsonofstone says:
im in the process of making a knife, but i dont have a nice polishing machine, so it will be done with sanding paper in 1000 grit, i dont think it will shine nicely, but since its more or less of a hunter costume prop, it matters not that much, will post pictures when done
Dec 15, 2011. 2:23 AMJesse germs says:
I can't seem to locate any 01 carbon steel. There are many steel suppliers in my area offering many types of steel, none however are listed as 01 carbon steel. Is there another name for the steel your using? Or are there other types of steel I could use in place for this instructable? Dude i am way excited to get started on this project, I am a long time knife admirer and amateur collector. I am also a proficient carving artist( antler, bone, wood, stone) so I figured I'd combine two passions here. Just wish I knew more about types of steel and the science behind this. Hopefully my question isn't a repeat of an older post, just didn't really wanna sort through the 800+ comments on this.
Dec 15, 2011. 12:18 PMJesse germs says:
Awesome! Thanks man, can't wait to get started. I'll post pics when I'm done! Any thought about maybe creating an instructable for A partial tang or a through tang?
Dec 6, 2011. 1:23 PMroman wolf says:
I just use old circuler saw blade's to make my knives
Sep 12, 2011. 6:45 PMsith, lord of funk says:
did you have your own coal forge or did you have to make one and if so how did you make it.
Sep 12, 2011. 1:55 PMsith, lord of funk says:
This is the first knife I'm making in my life so I hope that it turns out well. I'll post pics when its done. One question is a fire hot enough to use instead of a forge cause I don't have one?
Aug 23, 2011. 8:59 AMrstumph says:
Process, the handle is nice
Aug 23, 2011. 8:58 AMrstumph says:
yes sir this instructable is the bomb the best, the other one leave or miss a step in the prices for inst-ens i did not know the annealing process on the other so id make a few knives and there not relay sturdy cues i did not anneal, ill heat up to a orange then quench in iol
thanks Basta
Aug 22, 2011. 5:28 PMrstumph says:
ok i read this instructable its a little confusing ok , the step need to be step by step for example, you harden the steel to a temperature a couple a times, in tell non magnetized then the blade is ready For Annealing After Annealing then you Quench it ok ... i really like it though . I Have AD/HD so thought id let you know cause i hate to go searching and end up missing a step or the knife looks, works crappy its really irritating. thank you for trying you did a good job.
Aug 14, 2011. 7:51 PMstreet_racer21 says:
hey. could you paint the knife with rustolium to keep it from rusting? and maybe make a cool design? because i found a peice of metal on the back of a roto tiller with some deep rust spots but ive grinded half of them out. the rest of it was just rusty and paint. i was just starting to grind down the other sides rust spots but my grinder wouldnt start. (
Aug 12, 2011. 5:14 AMcurious youth says:
LOL im going to make a birdhouse.
Jun 3, 2010. 7:30 AMpurplewg says:
Just curious if a lawn mower blade would make a good knife blade? I don't mean the china stuff blades but good old USA made heavy duty blades.
Oct 10, 2010. 5:23 PMhifatpeople says:
They are like really rally hard to cut (although i haven't really tried cutting any other metal before) wore out a bench grinder on the lawn mower blade and broke an angle grinder on it. I'd try a plasma cutter.
Aug 5, 2011. 10:02 PMMR.builderguy says:
all it takes is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!!
Oct 22, 2010. 4:13 PMbadideasrus says:
you could try annealing the steal, since you're going to temper it latter...

just heat it up reall hot, cherry red? then bury it in sand or ash, or some insulator, then let it cool. this will make the metal soft.
Aug 5, 2011. 8:23 PMMR.builderguy says:
i am having trouble getting a strait bevel. any pointers?
Aug 4, 2011. 1:08 PMTheWaddleWaaddle says:
I'm not the only one with One-Sock-Syndrome! Yes! My mom will be so proud!

-TheWaddleWaaddle
Jan 17, 2009. 6:03 PMDV Customs says:
wow that looks dangerous, buffing a blade is the most dangerous part of making one. If that wheel grabs it going about 3,000 rpms it will throw it 2 houses away. and I notice you are holding a hand grinder with one hand and the blade with the other. I would recommend a small bench grinder and switch the wheel with a buffing wheel. But if you insist on a hand grinder, at least have a vice hold the machine so you can get 2 hands on the blade. just a thought.
Jan 17, 2009. 7:16 PMDV Customs says:
No offense, please don't be offended, just hate to see people hurt.
Jan 19, 2009. 2:47 AMDV Customs says:
No problem, just thinking about the 8 stitches I got with no machine involved, and the time my glove got caught in my lathe and almost ripped my hand off. Lucky for fast reflexes, just lost my glove and busted couple fingures.
Jul 27, 2009. 7:50 PMAnarchistAsian says:
wearing gloves? every machinist i've ever met has said that gloves are dangerous when using power tools or things like lathes...
Jul 16, 2011. 4:02 PMChicken Spit says:
Oh man, the bus mechanic I work with during school probably even sleeps with his blue nitrile disposable gloves. He wears them when he is opperating the metal lathe.
Apr 24, 2011. 10:37 AMBowtie41 says:
That was the firstthing they taught me in tech. school.They showed us lots of pics of people missing fingers due to gloves and rings.it's still stuck with me for 30 years.I may burn my fingers from a hot part,but they are all still attatched!
Nov 20, 2010. 8:28 PMspenfisher12 says:
yup they would just pull your hand in
Aug 21, 2009. 5:16 PMThe Ideanator says:
Exactly. Same here.
Jul 29, 2009. 1:43 AMDV Customs says:
I sent a picture of my glove along with some display stands, I keep it on a nail by my lathe for a reminder. lol
Jul 29, 2009. 1:37 PMAnarchistAsian says:
haha
Jul 27, 2009. 9:28 PMDV Customs says:
Yes they can be and I agree 100%. But when you're working with steel with sharp edges, the option to wear tight fitting gloves keep you from getting cut from material itself. My mistake back then was having my hand where it shouldn't have been. You learn from your mistakes.
Jul 28, 2009. 10:48 AMAnarchistAsian says:
By the way, how did you get so good at making knives?
Jul 28, 2009. 1:27 PMDV Customs says:
I guess every one excels at the things he loves to do. That with about forty years of dealing with them somehow. If you really like to build anything, all you have to do is shrink it down to knife size and don't skip on the tools as well as the materials. As we speak I'm in the negotiations of buying a new house/ shop so I can really get into it. Many people have made knives their entire life and never became any good, Some make a decent knife the 1st try, You have to have heart in what you do. So as I am done revamping my place to sell, I can relax and get back to the knives. I have a new idea of a design for a new forge. This way I can put out enough blades for my hobby and for my hobby to pay for it's self. Don't get me wrong, I'm not losing much, but consider leaper and electric. One to 2 sales a month at half appraisal don't take you over the top. Lucky I enjoy what I do, now all I have to do is sell for what they are worth and not just for more materials. Then one knife will feed a months worth of knives.
Jul 28, 2009. 10:06 PMAnarchistAsian says:
cool, good luck For some reason, i can always build or machine something way better than i can draw it... Have you ever felt like that?
Jul 29, 2009. 1:41 AMDV Customs says:
If you took a 3" square piece of steel, and made a 2" ball out of it, The time it took to machine it down, you may get the picture of ball done. Artist most likely feel the same about you. So you have worked with steel enough to make your piece, where as a artist went to school. Same,Same I find the really hard part is where you get writers block, Harder you try to imagine your new knife, the further it gets. When this happens I start to build display stands for my knives to add for a bonus. Table standing ones, glass door display for the people in need of a lock, ( kids ) also katana stands. Here are some assorted pictures of some stands mixed with some knives I did recently. I'll show you some display cases if you want, just let me know...
Jul 29, 2009. 2:03 AMDV Customs says:
here the pictures I was talking about
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Author:Basta