Knife makers...suggestions??

[coachk]

Alright, I know there's a few of ya'll on here! anyone got any good advice for a beginning knifemaker? Bjankowski said in another thread that he learned ways of speeding up his process to turn out more knives...you guys knock out 100 knives to my 1...and I know a lot of it is experience, but is there anything you can tell me that would help speed up my learning curve? What was the best piece of advice given to you when you began? Do you all use 2x72 grinders? If so, which kind or did you make it yourself? I bought a Dewalt portable bandsaw to cut blanks, a drill press, a cheap 4x36 sander, and made a Gough custom filing jig off youtube...I started on my next 10 knives this past weekend (my aunt wants 10 for her children/grandchildren for Christmas) and it may take me til Christmas to finish!!haha

Any and all help is appreciated!!

[Kevin Smith]

I bought my first grinder second hand, it's a 2x72 grizzly it's ok, I use it for shaping handles and buffing. The second I built, but I bought the platen, and all the wheels, if I was to do it over again and I probably will I'd just buy a KMG variable speed.

If you decide to get more into it you need to learn to let the tool do the work.

When I first started I was doing a bunch of hand sanding, to the point my hands were cracking.



My homemade 2x72

[SamHarper]

I use a 1"x30" grinder from Harbor Freight, but I have a friend with a fancy Wilmont 2"x72" grinder. The 2"x70" grinder makes a huge difference as far as being able to grind evenly and sand all the tight inside curves and stuff, but it's crazy expensive.

Although I make knives faster now than I used to, I still don't make them nearly as fast as Mr. Jankowski. I think speed comes from experience as much as from learning new techniques. The more you do the same thing over and over again, the faster you can do it. You shouldn't try to rush things in the beginning. Concentrate on techniques--symmetry, getting your grind lines straight, etc.

Here's a build along on my web page:

http://poorfolkbows.com/knife.htm

[coachk]

Thanks guys and thanks for the link! I enjoyed doing it but I know there's gotta be an easier way than what I'm doing!! Haha I KNOW a grinder would help out a LOT, but gotta pay off a few bills before I splurge for a kmg or my wife may leave me! Haha I'll just keep filing and sanding away for now!

[LeanMachine]

The 1x30 that sam is talking about is dirt cheap. Like $40. And he makes great looking knives. If you are interested in faster, that would be my advice. That filing business is work!!!!

[Puggy625]

I started with a HF 1x30 and used it till its was almost wore slap out. Bought a 4x36 sander and installed a jiffy attachment and work table. Been using that but now I'm in the process of building a 2x72. Just ordered the platen attachment and wheels today. Got to get a motor and get it all put together.

Here's what I'm using now.



Here's what I've got built so far on the new grinder. Don't make fun of my welding skills (or lack thereof).

[paintman]

I use a pheer. 1.5hp variable speed with platten and 8" wheel was like 1300 bucks.love it

[paintman]