Forging the Blacksmiths Knife

The Blacksmiths knife, often called a Viking knife, is a great introduction to knife making. We are looking at the Viking Knife bundle from ken's Custom Iron

00:00 - Layout
01:14 - Isolating the handle
01:42 - Forging the blade
04:50 - Drawing out the handle
06:42 - Filing the profile
08:07 - Finishing the handle
10:58 - Roughing in the bevels
13:19 - Hardening and tempering
16:09 - Hand filing and finishing
19:52 - Final thoughts

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Anvil provided by; Fontanini Anvil and Tool

My blacksmiths apron

Video equipment used in this video

Mailing address:
Black Bear Forge
P.O. Box 4
Beulah, CO 81023

Below you will find useful links that will help you in your journey as a blacksmith.

To find more information in blacksmithing in the US or to search for your local ABANA affiliate group visit.

Blacksmithing tools and supplies

Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.t yourself.

[doingitoutdoors]

Since I've been watching these videos and messing with blacksmithing. I've made some stuff, gave some stuff away and even sold some stuff. But my most satisfying achievement came this spring. I cleaned and butchered 2 wild turkeys with a knife I made from a chunk of coil spring, using skills and techniques learned from this channel and tong blanks from Ken's Custom Iron. I'm not one to blow my own horn and I might not be able to duplicate the success, but after cleaning the turkeys I did five strokes on each side of the blade on a ceramic rod and could then shave hair from my arm. Happy, happy, happy. Thanks, John.

[Vtmtnman]

I routinely beat these out of leaf spring and your process is almost exactly the way I do them.These are great for a beginning smith to learn skills and they're a useful and desired item.I could easily sell everyone I make, but I normally give them away in exchange for favors.

[JarlSeamus]

I was just rewatching an older video you did a couple years ago (the original bending fork one) and wow, what a difference in production quality. Also it's really cool to see how you have grown as a lecturer/presenter. Your speech patterns and smoothness of flow has really grown. Keep going John, you're an inspiration to aspiring smiths everywhere.

[dinodog]

Just wanted to say thank you for these videos. I've been teaching myself blacksmithing with only books and youtube videos to go on, and yours are some of the best.

[iwdavey]

My wife enjoys watching your videos with me. We were saying this morning how professional your presentations have become. Just a hats off to your efforts which are greatly appreciated and effective. 👍👌🧙🏻‍♂️

[siryizzur]

You inspired me a month ago with this very video to finally pull the trigger on getting started in blacksmithing. I have been subscribed to you for a while, but this was the video that finally made me get off my rear-end and go do it!

A couple weeks ago, I set myself up with a double burner propane forge and a piece of railroad track wedged into a stump. I decided my first ever project would be this type of knife, the Blacksmiths Knife... I've been working at it for about 5 days straight now. I have been humbled quickly by blisters and sore muscles!

This is the most satisfying and fun hobby I have ever taken up though, and I have to say I think my knife is coming along just fine for a complete beginner. I just wanted to sincerely thank you for inspiring me to finally try this out. I needed something like this in my life. I think I am hooked!

Thank you Sir!

[oshkoshbjosh]

My dad used to say that you can tell a hard working man by his hands, and the close ups of filing definitely confirmed that this gent is a hard working man. My dad also had amazing craftsmanship and I wish more of the younger generation had these kinds of skills.

[Chevelle_addict]

Cool projects. And you actually explain the how and why on a lot of the things you do. Best smithing channel on here.

[christubrett]

You are one of the biggest inspirations I have come across in a long time. I've been watching your channel for a couple months now, and you have inspired me to build my own coal forge, make my own anvil shaped object out of a piece of steel train track (the horn was an absolute nightmare to cut and shape). I've been out mining and gathering coal, and now I am happily on my way making hooks and candle holders. As my skill level has been increasing, people are been taking more interest in the things I make. I've made my first touch mark stamp yesterday, and now I think I am ready to start selling my goods. Thank you so much for all the quality content, and the constant reminder to get out(side) to the shop and make something

[wayneheitz]

The blacksmiths knife is a great useable practice for knife making. Thank you for sharing your process. 👏👏👏

[beatlebomber]

Very nice. I like how you showed the process without leaving the little steps out like others tend to do. I also like that you showed how to do it with the bare minimum shop tools.

[JohnFleshman]

Hey cool I finally get to see how my favorite small knife is made. I bought one at a Mountain man retreat close to 20 years ago. mine is made from a piece of cable that was forge welded into a knife.

[johnjude]

Been learning from you since I started over 3 years, You are the biggest reason I got enough including safety learning to have a safe and a beginning of Blacksmit knowledge to set up my ( pretty well equipment) shop, Like you we can do more than knifes. Thanks for the inspiration Mr. John Switzer " I owe you Sir:

[dismutased]

This seems like an easy knife design for a beginner blacksmith like me. I really appreciate all your videos. Simple plain talk, step by step easy instructions with clear explanations along the way. I am learning so much watching your videos!

[MAndersenbamboorods]

It’s nice to watch someone just make a knife without using his power hammer. That is something I have no room for or can afford. So all my knives are made this way. Thanks for a nice relaxing video.

[imperatorcaesardivifiliusa]

I started out making copper and bronze age daggers. When I moved on to steel and iron work, the thing that shocked me in terms of the jump in advantages of steel of the modern world was how tough it became to hand sand blades. I'd comfortably hand sand up to 7000 grit on bronze but with steel I ended up having to put the sandpaper on the end of a Dremel.Long before hardening and tempering.

[-Honeybee]

I'm never this early!
This is one of my favorite projects, and I learned it as a young beginner.

[rickardhansson]

Very nice! When I was learning blacksmithing 15 years ago I made one just like this. Here in Scandinavia we call them Women’s knives. I’ve never heard anyone call them Viking knives before, but I think I like that name better!

[jeffreymiller]

Sir...you make it look so easy. Your work is both an art form and a thing of beauty. Thank You for sharing your smithing tips with us!!!

[mattn]

There are a lot of knife making tutorials on the web, but this is one is arguably the best I've seen for folk wanting to dip their toes into knife making without investing a ton of cash in unnecessary kit. Outstanding!