I was asked to restore a paring knife. I had been wanting to make a knife for a while now and figured this would be a good introduction. It seems that ever since I got a CNC, all projects look like CNC projects to me. This could have also been done by hand but I wanted to improve my 3D modelling capability and practice toolpath configuration so I went the CNC route.

Supplies

Wood for the handle - I chose Maple
Epoxy - I used West Systems G/flex
Brass rod for the pins- I ordered on Amazon
Sandpaper
Danish Oil

Step 1: Take Pictures of Existing Knife

I used Fusion 360 to create the model. If you take a picture of the object beside a measurement device it is really easy to scale the image in Fusion 360 so that the sketch is exactly to scale.

Step 2: Import Images Into Fusion 360

Insert image as canvas
Right click on specific canvas and choose calibrate
Click two reference points on ruler or caliper and type in actual length

Image will be scaled to exact dimensions

Step 3: Trace Pictures and Create Replica

Trace the image using the sketch functionality
Once sketch is complete, extrude to proper dimensions
Since this knife is two piece, I created one side and then mirrored it to get an exact opposite

Step 4: CAM: Generate Gcode

Change over to the "Manufacture" interface
Specify the setup and starting material dimensions
I used a single bit (1/8") and three operations to cut out these handles
1. (T1) Face - My starting material was thicker than needed, so this brought it down to the required thickness
2. (T1) 2D pocket- cut out the specific pocket for the knife blade to sit in
3. (T1) 2D Contour - cut around the profile of the blade handles