How to make a Survival Knife from a Sawblade

This tutorial is how to make a survival/hunting knife using a few basic materials. It cost me nothing since I already had an old sawblade laying around.

SUPPLIES...

Circular Saw Blade
Dremel Tool with attachments
Safety Glasses


Other Optional Supplies:
Fine Sandpaper
Steel Wool
Steel File/s
Gloves
Wood (for handle)

Step 1 Drawing the Pattern

When drawing the pattern, keep in mind that you should save room for a handle. Besides that the possibilities are almost limitless. I used a black sharpie marker and drew directly on the blade. 

Comments

[ironsmiter]

keep in mind, circular saw blades are almost 100% mild steel(unhardenable by normal methods)
only the carbide teeth(on the authors bade) are hard.
This is a very good material, if you're just learning about knives.
It'll force you to sharpen a LOT more frequently.
and practice makes better.
that's why cubscout and boyscout knives are always going dull.
It's on purpose ;-)


IF one of your blade blank lines is straight, I'd suggest going for a score and snap method. Score the line a few MM deep with the dremel, then clamp in a vice just below the score, and bend. You SHOULD get a nice, satisfying 'snap'. If it bends instead, just bend back and forth a few times, like you would a pop tab, on a can of soda. It'll go :-)
Also, being mild steel, a hacksaw with a nice sharp new blade, will cut nearly as quickly as a dremel, with a mini cutoff blade. more armwork, but less consumables.

[jackowens]

Thanks for the advice! For my next knife I am going to use a slab of 440C stainless steel. I'm glad you took the time to write this it will help me alot!

[stormy0314]

You might want to try an old bed frame. They are not stainless but are made from hardened steel. They are cheap to free at garage sales and often in the trash just before trash pickup day. They are also good for a lot of items that call for a harder grade of steel. They also make for cheap angle iron and angle brackets if a dremel or hack saw are available.

[jackowens]

Good idea! I will definitely try it. (maybe make a new instructable with it) :-) Thanks!