Making a razor knife

MrDantastic · #1 11-24-2005, 06:16 PM

Hey Everyone, happy Thanksgiving!

I've been thinking alot about making a knife of my own to try and use, but before I get too excited, I don't know if I have the proper tools to make a razor knife. What tools do you use when you are making your knife? My collection of tools is rather limited; I think the manager of the apartment complex I live in would be pretty upset if they came in and found a table saw in the living room. They've been asking quite a few questions since my pen lathe arrived.

Also, I've been googling the subject, but I can't seem to find any sites dedicated to making wood carving knives, other than Rick's at Littleshavers. If anyone knows of any other good websites, I would appreciate it if they could leave a link or tell me what to google. Thanks, hope everyone has a nice Thanksgiving.

-Dan

Just Carving · #2 11-24-2005, 08:23 PM

I made a roughout knife from an old reciprocating saw blade, and carved the handle from a piece of poplar using one of my carving knives, and then I sanded it smooth with 240 grit sandpaper.

To rough out the knife blade from the saw blade, I used a high speed rotary saw with a 1" dia. cutting blade that I bought at Sears. You might be able to use a Dremel or another similar tool to cut and shape the blade from the razor knife. Maybe Rick or someone else could help you there with an alternate method of shaping the blade.

I glued the blade into the handle. After that, I used emery paper to form the blade's bevel and to sharpen it. I bought the emery paper at the hardware sore and auto parts store. I'm guessing I spent $20-30 by the time I got done, but I have used what I bought to make other knives and tools before and after the ones shown below. It takes longer to do it the way I do, but I enjoy doing it that way. Besides, I don't have a shop or the big power tools to make the knives. My home-made tools aren't pretty but they're sharp and they do the job they're meant to do.

Here's a link to a photo in my Member Gallery--it's the one in the middle. I made the bottom one in the same manner as listed above.

http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.co...00&ppuser=2366

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #3 11-24-2005, 08:57 PM

if you want to cold grind you need a bench grinder...grind a second and dip in water, grind and dip, this is a long process ...I would suggest you start with a jigsaw blade, they make good knives and are easier, after you have made a couple and feel confident, then tackle the straight razor. imho. in addition to the bench grinder, you need at the minimum some graduating sheets of sandpaper, maybe 400, 800 1200 and 2000 and a leather strop...just remember, you can't just grind, you will lose the temper of the steel.

wade clark · #4 11-24-2005, 10:01 PM

Hi_Ho's right on losing the temper of the steel, unless you have a slow grinder, and hopefully water cooled. The average bench grinder is way too fast, over 3,000 rpm, and will get the steel too hot unless you are extremely careful and keep dipping it to cool it off. Even then, have several pieces to try, 'cause you're going to burn a few until you know what you're doing.
Wade

millhoused · #5 12-06-2005, 12:38 PM

I use a 1" belt sander to shape my blades. Sand for 1 second then dunk into water. It takes a little while but the temper is still there.
I use a dremel with a cutoff wheel to cut out the blade before shaping it. Again, 1 sec of cutting then into the water it goes.

FK · #6 12-07-2005, 09:35 PM

I second the recommendation for the 1" wide belt sander.

1x 30 and 1 x 42 are the standard sizes for the belts. Many style and manuf. are available for reasonable prices. Most also have a disk and small table on the motor shaft opposite the belt, you get two tools on one unit.

The best belts for rough shaping are the blue color with about 60 or 80 grit, they cut faster and do not heat the steel as fast as the finer grits. Keep a container of cold water close by and cool the blade very frequently.

Regards,
FK

Clifford_Parker · #7 12-08-2005, 12:19 AM

SHEESH GUYS!!! Pay attention!! The poor guy says he lives in an apartment with an uptight, nosey manager and you are telling him to get full size shop tools??

MrDantastic,

You can get the basic blade shape using a Dremel and cut-off wheels or by scoring the steel with a file and then carefully snapping it with a pair of vise grips.

"Grinding" to refine the shape can be done with a file, coarse whetstone or 100 grit sandpaper fixed to a sheet of plexiglass with 3M spray adhesive. Sharpening and honing can be done with a medium and fine stones or progressively finer grits of sandpaper.

MDWine · #8 12-08-2005, 07:19 AM

OK, I dislike it when this happens !!

Now you have me believing that I could make my own knife, so I'll have to try it at some point. I have way too many projects I need to finish before I spend time on this, but I know I'll push this forward!!

I'm thinking of a very delicate detailing knife. I'm thinking I'll use a jig saw (or sabre saw) blade, just the right length, nice and stout. I assume that most folks would grind the teeth off of the blade, and use that edge as the sharp edge, right?

I'm thinking of a nice Cocobolo handle, shaped to fit... How much "tang" would you use to glue the blade into place? Is two part epoxy sufficient? Strong enough?

I really need a new project like I need another... well, you know... it does sound like fun though, and how rewarding to carve with your own knife!!!

See what you people are doing to me?

Seriously, thanks for great information, and inspiration!!

Just Carving · #9 12-08-2005, 08:16 AM

Hi Michael

I have an idea that'll probably draw groans from others but it worked for me, and I saw the idea in Issue #10 Spring 2005 of Carving Magazine. Take an old stainless steel kitchen knife that is maybe dull and/or you don't want. I found the metal soft enough to work but it does hold an edge. Then hone it with a strop and compound. Here are two links to knives that I did--one's a drawknife and the other is a Swedish style carving knife.

At the very least you'll get some practice in making knives, and maybe get rid of some old kitchen knives that aren't getting much use!

Drawknife:
http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.co...00&ppuser=2366
Swedish style carving knife:
http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.co...00&ppuser=2366

millhoused · #10 12-08-2005, 08:23 AM

I use power hacksaw blades by Starrett
The Red Stripe variety are hardened throughout the entire blade.
Many blades only harden the area around the teeth.
I purchase mine from www.mscdirect.com

Brand
Description RS1214-3 12"X5/8X.032 STARRETT HS HACKSAW BLD

$4.90 each and you get a lot of knives from one blade.

BTW, A 1 inch belt sander takes no more space than a coffe pot so you can store it in a closet if you live in an appartment. It can also function as a power sharpening station with the proper belts (including leather) from treeline. I bought mine from www.harborfreight.com for $29.00 on sale.
The belts can be purchased from Lee Valley
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...40&cat=1,43072