First post: New to knife making
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starrman
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:18 am
First post: New to knife making
Hi all,
I've been collecting knives for a while. I've also sold a few knives here and appreciate the opportunity. I've gathered much information from this site but sorry to say that I have offered little information, limited knowledge base. The membership at AAPK are very responsive to all my inquiries. Hopefully some day, I'll be able to give back.
I've been retired for a bit, decided to attempt making a fixed blade knife. I found a piece of flat stock 4130 steel at a garage sale, I made one knife, stock removal with so much room for improvement. The 4130 isn't a good knife steel but it did give me something to practice the basics. I then made ten more knives my brothers, kids and a couple of best friends. Many, many steps, but I did each step ten times to get the hang of it. So much room for improvement. Ten knives, not good but not bad.
My next batch of knives are file knives, again practice the mechanics. Again not good steel but an economical way to practice. These are in progress. I still have to cut the scales and assemble.
I'm going to try to include some pictures. Not good but not bad! I look at the other custom knives on the forum and see that I have long way to go, one knife at a time. Thanks for looking. Jim
First batch: Second batch:
I've been collecting knives for a while. I've also sold a few knives here and appreciate the opportunity. I've gathered much information from this site but sorry to say that I have offered little information, limited knowledge base. The membership at AAPK are very responsive to all my inquiries. Hopefully some day, I'll be able to give back.
I've been retired for a bit, decided to attempt making a fixed blade knife. I found a piece of flat stock 4130 steel at a garage sale, I made one knife, stock removal with so much room for improvement. The 4130 isn't a good knife steel but it did give me something to practice the basics. I then made ten more knives my brothers, kids and a couple of best friends. Many, many steps, but I did each step ten times to get the hang of it. So much room for improvement. Ten knives, not good but not bad.
My next batch of knives are file knives, again practice the mechanics. Again not good steel but an economical way to practice. These are in progress. I still have to cut the scales and assemble.
I'm going to try to include some pictures. Not good but not bad! I look at the other custom knives on the forum and see that I have long way to go, one knife at a time. Thanks for looking. Jim
First batch: Second batch:
Jim Starr
- FRJ
- Gold Tier

- Posts: 17134
- Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 1:43 pm
- Location: Ct.
Re: First post: New to knife making
Welcome here, Jim.
I think you are doing a great job at the start.
Your accuracy/integrity are quit apparent and I would think that that is a huge bridge to put you on a path to success.
I hope you can show more work in time.

I think you are doing a great job at the start.
Your accuracy/integrity are quit apparent and I would think that that is a huge bridge to put you on a path to success.
I hope you can show more work in time.
Joe
- cudgee
- Posts: 6930
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- Location: Victoria. Australia.
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ashwinearl
- Posts: 126
- Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2023 4:11 am
- Location: Utica, NY
- Contact:
Re: First post: New to knife making
I have some 8670 bar steel (https://www.alphaknifesupply.com/shop/8 ... DsF4D2EUjx)
and some handle material I can send you for free if you pay shipping
like a medium USPS priority box. I'll make a grab box for you.
message me here. I am gone all next week but can get it out before Sat or after Thanksgiving.
Respectfully, Ashwin
and some handle material I can send you for free if you pay shipping
like a medium USPS priority box. I'll make a grab box for you.
message me here. I am gone all next week but can get it out before Sat or after Thanksgiving.
Respectfully, Ashwin
----------------------------
Message me on Facebook, instagram or here for available knives
See what's on the bench at my instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ash.handmade.knives/
Message me on Facebook, instagram or here for available knives
See what's on the bench at my instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ash.handmade.knives/
- Corn Creek Cutlery
- Gold Tier

- Posts: 2771
- Joined: Wed Dec 06, 2023 12:35 pm
- Location: Northeast TN
- Contact:
Re: First post: New to knife making
Welcome to AAPK Jim
Knice work on your first knives!
The blade profile of the first batch has a Lakota Knives look.
Tony .. https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/corncreekcutlery ...
It's only money .. give the Lord His .. pay the bills .. give the wife hers .. and buy yourself another knife.
It's only money .. give the Lord His .. pay the bills .. give the wife hers .. and buy yourself another knife.
- Ripster
- Silver Tier

- Posts: 5044
- Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2020 6:37 pm
- Location: Wi.USA
Re: First post: New to knife making
That file knife with the file work is looking really nice!please keep us posted on your progress.
JP
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robpa
- Posts: 850
- Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2021 12:17 am
- Location: N.W. PA.
Re: First post: New to knife making
Is that your first file work attempt? Pretty nice!
I attempted a couple knives made from old tableware. They work good on the work bench but Im NO knife maker, and my attempt at file work, not so hot. Im gonna stick to solitaire.
I attempted a couple knives made from old tableware. They work good on the work bench but Im NO knife maker, and my attempt at file work, not so hot. Im gonna stick to solitaire.
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starrman
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:18 am
Re: First post: New to knife making
Thanks for the response. I've seen so much beautiful work in these forums. My knife making is certainly a work in progress. I'll try to get better one knife at a time. Thanks for your support, Jim.
Jim Starr
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starrman
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:18 am
Re: First post: New to knife making
Thanks for the response. I've seen so much beautiful work in these forums. My knife making is certainly a work in progress. I'll try to get better one knife at a time. Thanks for your support, Jim.
Jim Starr
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starrman
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:18 am
Re: First post: New to knife making
Thanks for the response. I've seen so much beautiful work in these forums. My knife making is certainly a work in progress. I'll try to get better one knife at a time. Thanks for your support, Jim.
Jim Starr
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starrman
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:18 am
Re: First post: New to knife making
Thanks for the response. I've seen so much beautiful work in these forums. My knife making is certainly a work in progress. I'll try to get better one knife at a time. Thanks for your support, Jim.
Jim Starr
- tknottsknives
- Posts: 131
- Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2024 4:58 pm
- Location: Montana USA
- Contact:
Re: First post: New to knife making
Looking good! welcome to the addiction of knife making lol. Keep pushing forward.
Tim
If at first you don't first succeed, skydiving is not for you.
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If at first you don't first succeed, skydiving is not for you.
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