All About Pocket Knives

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:

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.

FRJ wrote: ↑Tue Nov 18, 2025 11:37 pm 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 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

Welcome to AAPK Jim Knice work on your first knives! The blade profile of the first batch has a Lakota Knives look.

That file knife with the file work is looking really nice!please keep us posted on your progress.

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.

FRJ wrote: ↑Tue Nov 18, 2025 11:37 pm 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.

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.

FRJ wrote: ↑Tue Nov 18, 2025 11:37 pm 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.

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.

robpa wrote: ↑Fri Nov 21, 2025 3:46 pm 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.

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.

robpa wrote: ↑Fri Nov 21, 2025 3:46 pm 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.

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.

Looking good! welcome to the addiction of knife making lol. Keep pushing forward.