I watch these videos since a lot of years and I always come back to this one when I’m unsure of something. Also when I was in high school in second year I started making a knife with only a file and a very thick piece of mystery steel. I finished it when I was 18, something like 4-5 years later, after many failed attempts on the handle. But I made a knife with only a file and nothing else. And I am proud.
viatueur
I really like that while you have a shop decked out with high end expensive gear, you still show people you can get into the hobby at a low cost.
norcalbowhunter
Really good beginner video. Quick suggestion for anyone drilling holes with a cordless hand drill. If you don't have a drilling guide, you can make one with two pieces of wood that form a 90 degree notch between them. If it's inch and a half thick or so, you can position the drill bit in that notch to help keep it perpendicular to the steel. inexpensive woodworking tip.
egbluesuede
I've been looking for a new hobby. I've done woodworking and oil painting, but i now find myself searching for something new. I think I found it.
tinydancercm
Thank you for this, Walter. My favorite videos of yours are the ones where you show how to do things with a few simple/inexpensive hand tools.
I would rough out the shape with a hacksaw, to reduce filing time, but otherwise, the way you make this knife blank is great.
A note for beginners: One tool you really need is a bench vise. In a pinch, you could clamp the work piece to your table with C-clamps, but a vise will really improve your quality of life, more than almost any other too. You might be able to get one relatively cheap at a yard sale or flea market.
censusgary
Rumour has it Walter is still filing, still filing... Jokes apart, it's good to see you come back to the simple stuff for beginners occasionally :)
RobanyBigjobz
utmost respect for the racer drilling.. my grandpa will make a tool if he doesnt have one, and even HE doesnt have one of these!
kalemusser
As someone living in an apartment trying to get into jewelry and knife making as well as leathercraft. Thank you for this video. Hand tools might not be the best and most practical way to do it but being in an apartment with neightbors on each wall who have kids, I'm not trying to be the loud neighbor.
My first knife planned right now is going to be a bowie knife for camping. Always wanted one, a nice one, never felt comfortable dumping hundreds of dollars into the one I want.
roboteen
Nice work! A lot of folks think you need a bunch of expensive tools to make knives and that's not true. I hope this inspires some to get in the shop and make a knife.
martyyoung
Very cool how you show that's possible to make a nice, good serviceable knife without crazy expensive equipment. It's a matter of knowing the proper techniques. And it's really cool that you share these with us!
Thanks
sleazydrache
as always, great work. Dealing with plunge lines has always been my biggest issue. what ive started doing is chucking a piece of mild steel round stock the roughly same diameter of my plunge grind into a hand drill, put down a layer of double sided carpet tape, and wrap a strip of sand paper around it, that way i could essentially do what walter did by hand, but with a drill.
Not strictly powertool tool free, but like he said, its the most common power tool available, and can be used for multiple purposes..
kylebates
FANTASTIC video! Hit the nail on the head for beginning builders. Keep them coming!
philliphill
That's a nice brace you have there. I learned to use one when I was a teenager.
Friedbrain
Great!! As a crude throwing knife maker with much still to learn I get a lot out of your videos.. I have equipment except for a forge. Keep it up.
jgbullen
There's a really great beginner forge on Amazon for $75 as well comes with everything you need, I believe it's called the volcano forge
forgedbydragon
Super video....putting together tools and materials now.
michaeldalbis
Thanks for sharing. I just went online and bought all the materials to make my first knife 👍🏻
lindseysmith
man, this is amazing. such steady hand and excellent perseverance
AndreiChera
Thanks again. That was awesome to see. We. Love you. And we love your work
jawdatfares
Any sort of powerful enough propane burner coupled with a few bricks (refractory if possible-clay ones usually work, too) can harden a knife in a pinch.
