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For the past couple of weeks now, I have been mildly obsessed with knife-making, watching videos and learning everything I can from reading books and also doing research for everything I’ll need for equipment and materials to create my first knife. Ideally, I wanted the cheapest way to get into knife making to see if I enjoy it as a new hobby, as I always wanted to give it a try.
From the very basics, it seems like it wouldn’t cost that much for a piece of steel and a few tools, to manually grind or by the use of power tools for removing stock from the steel, but then you start wondering about drilling, creating scales, what type of fasteners and adhesive to use, things then start to look very costly!
Then when thinking about creating your own sheath and handles, things start to ramp up fast in the cost of materials and tools, especially when looking into the bigger and better tools pros use.
This past week I have been making an order after order ordering different things I’ll need for knife making, and in this post, we will cover all the materials from the very basic tools to some of the power tools I have ordered to complete my first knife to give you an idea what a beginner should use.
Buying Steel For Knife Making – Stock Removal Method
For beginners, they say to stick to one of the steels from the 10 series. So for example this is 1080, 1084, 1095, etc. A lot of pro knife makers on YouTube recommend starting with 1080 steel. It’s a high-carbon steel that is forgivable, and easy to heat treat.
On Amazon, there are a few different selections, as far as cost goes, depending on where you live, it’s going to actually cost more to buy from there rather than using a website like knifesupply.ca, but for the prime shipping, I made my first steel purchase from there instead for this time.
Now that you have steel you will need something to cut it with and to remove stock, such as a belt sander or bastard file.
Cutting Options:
Angle Grinder
Band Saw
Hack Saw
Jig Saw
Grinding Options:
Belt Sander
Bastard File
PPE Equipment
Glasses
Respiratory Mask
Gloves
Fire retardant jacket or shirt
Handle Scales
Wooden blanks
G10
Natural linseed oil for wooden scales
Carbon fiber
Epoxy
Fasteners/pins
Powered drill/drill press
Forge
Two fire bricks, a DIY forge
Blowtorch
charcoal
Tongs or long pliers
Canola oil
Propane forge
Fire pit with charcoal
Sheath
Leather
Leather tools
Punch Buttons/tools
Other Tools and Materials
Cutting Oil
Angle Grinder Disks
Set of belt sandpaper
Chainsaw file
Digital marking gauge
Sharpie
Magnets
Paracord
4 Pack 1095 Steel
This is the exact steel I ordered to begin my first knife. It seems to be easy to work with as far as grinding and removing stock from the steel. For starting into knife making this type of steel was recommended by a few professionals on YouTube. There are many sites that are dedicated to knife making and supplies that are better in price, but if you are wanting fastest shipping time and want to get all your supplies relatively cheap Amazon is a good way to go.
1x30 Belt Sander
Not the exact model as mine, but it is very similar. I’ve put in a lot of hours with it so far and it seems like the perfect belt sander that is budget friendly to begin knife-making as a hobbyist to make their first few knives, this will definitely help beginners to take the path of the cheapest way to get into knife making and add more gear as you go.
Also included are a 5-inch disc, miter gauge, and 80-grit sandpaper. Get other grit’s in a pack they are not too expensive. Sanding belt paper here.
Drill
You are going to need a drill for the handle fasteners, to drill the holes needed in your knife. Normally you will see they use a drill press but if you are wanting to save money and get into knife making one of these black and decker drills will work fine for what you need it to do.
Handle Scales
There are a number of different types of material that can be used for handles. Here is a variety pack of wood scales.
Handle Scales
Now you will need these handle fasteners or some type of pin to secure the knife’s handle. I ordered these, it’s what I am going to give a try first I have seen people use the brass rod as well.
Conclusion
Here is the approach to the cheapest way to get into knife-making with the gear you will need starting out and an overall knife-making gear list you will eventually get over time. Not every piece of equipment will be practical starting out when getting into knife making but it will help the process and make things a tad easier the better you get at it.
