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Learning from scratch

I have been playing with fixed blade handles and scales for folding knifes that use screw construction for a year or two and am enjoying it. I would also like to learn about working on, refurbishing, etc. the traditional pinned slip joint knives. So, can anyone (in one sentence) tell me how to get started? :) Maybe an instruction book like "slip joint repair for dummies". :) Also a list of essential tools. I'm on a very limited budget so anything I start would be slow going as far as any significant tool expense. All I have now is a drill press and Dremel with most of the attachments and TONS of accessories. I also have most other hand/power tools you find in a lot of houses. Actually the only tool I may be lacking is something for installing the pins. I can picture inserting the pin and then using a hammer to smash the ends so it doesn't fall out. :) Any more accuracy than that I'm sure a tool is required. Then there are probably tools I haven't pictured that are needed. I've been getting most of my knife stuff from USAknifemaker.com and some from jantz.com up to now. Suggestions on parts/tool suppliers is also appreciated.

This knife hobby I've pictured from simple (fixed blade handle) to complicated (forging the blade and everything else). First thing I found out is even a fixed blade handle can be as simple or complicated as you want to make it. And as expensive. :( I even looked into Murray Carter's classes on making a knife. Can't swing the class cost right now not to mention the equipment I'd need to continue at home. Not to mention (again) the additional room I'd need to add to my house. lol Don't think wife will let me forge or cut and grind knife blades on the dining room table. :)

So I'm starting slow which is good. Hate to spend a bunch of money only to find I have no skill. They say there are three financial classes. Have's, have not's and have not paid for what you have's. lol Don't want to join the last group (again). lol

Any advice is appreciated. Maybe this discussion can help others also.

Jack

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bob Robinson on August 14, 2013 at 11:05

You seem to be in a situation like me, a beginner with limited funds. I found a book that covers just about everything that helped me out. hope you can find one. Regards, Bob Robinson

The Complete Book of Pocketknife Repair: A Cutlers Manual [Paperback]

Ben Kelley Jr. (Author)

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on August 14, 2013 at 12:42

Thanks Bob. I read the reviews and they (except one) found the book to be lacking but maybe one of the best available. One guy said there's some good info but leaves you with a lot of unasnwered questions a beginner will have. Another statement was the author was obviously knowledgable but stingy with the knowledge. I think he meant he wasn't much of a writer. Two very different skills. I think I'm a good writer until I'm compared to Mario Puzo. lol How do those thoughts about the book compare to yours?

I'll keep this book in my thoughts and keep looking.

Bob Robinson said:

You seem to be in a situation like me, a beginner with limited funds. I found a book that covers just about everything that helped me out. hope you can find one. Regards, Bob Robinson

The Complete Book of Pocketknife Repair: A Cutlers Manual [Paperback]
Ben Kelley Jr. (Author)

Permalink Reply by James Cole on August 14, 2013 at 14:16

Jack, try here. Jim

www.knifewebguide.com

Permalink Reply by James Cole on August 14, 2013 at 14:48

I just found and ordered this book. It's a reprint, but I seem to remember the author.

http://www.knifeworld.com/kniferepair.html

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on August 14, 2013 at 15:47

Looks like you've already received some good advice. There exist some talented people on this site .. most pretty free with their knowledge. Pics REALLY help !!! Soooo, when ya start something or find yourself in trouble .. just post some pics & ask. Someone always steps up to the plate.

I buy many supplies from Knifekits.com .. some unique bones from Moscow Hide & Fur .. Jantz is good .. a simple belt sander would be a plus if you don't already have one .. Grizzly Industrial is a source I use for both wood & tools. Harbor Freight is used by many for inexpensive / starter shop tools. Grainger and MSC are industrial supply houses that stock almost everything .. in multiple warehouses around the 48.

Also, check around here & post pic & questions within a discussion of a similar project ..or.. a project that incorporates a similar step.

Welcome to & thanks for joining Knife Repair, Modification, Restoration & Improvement and iKC !!!!

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on August 14, 2013 at 15:57

Ok James, I just ordered the same book. Hopefully it'll have every piece of info ever imagined. Most of it anyway. Now, where to get knives that need to be fixed. I've seen a few small sets of really old assortments of knives on ebay a time or two. Probably someone's grandfather's old knives or something. Think I'll check that out. I'm also wondering if parts are company specific. Do I have to buy Case bolsters for Case knives, etc.? I would think so. What about those 50+ year old knives? Lots to learn.

Jack

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on August 14, 2013 at 16:04

Thanks Dale. I'll be checking out this info. Probably start a wish list that I'll need to whittle down to something my wallet can handle in small chunks. Got a book on the way (hope it has pictures lol).

D ale said:

Also .. I buy many supplies from Knifekits.com .. some unique bones from Moscow Hide & Fur .. Jantz is good .. a simple belt sander would be a plus if you don't already have one .. Grizzly Industrial is a source I use for both wood & tools. Harbor Freight is used by many for inexpensive / starter shop tools. Grainger and MSC are industrial supply houses that stock almost everything .. in multiple warehouses around the 48.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on August 15, 2013 at 5:14

Harbor Freight

Buy a few that need basic repairs like scales. Take em apart and fix em up. Beleive it or not that how Tony Bose tells me he started LOL

Permalink Reply by Bob Robinson on August 15, 2013 at 6:50

Jack,

Yea the book is lacking alot, but at the time it was all that I could locate. Seems like all the knife books I want are no where to be found. I have very limited time to work online, and I like to have a hard copy of information so I don't have to keep going back online or where ever to locate. I know very little on the subject but hope this will lead to more available info for those who just want to repair some of the older knives for use. I, like some of the knives i enjoy, are well used up but still don't want to be thrown aside or trashed. Bob

Jack Haskins, Jr. said:

Thanks Bob. I read the reviews and they (except one) found the book to be lacking but maybe one of the best available. One guy said there's some good info but leaves you with a lot of unasnwered questions a beginner will have. Another statement was the author was obviously knowledgable but stingy with the knowledge. I think he meant he wasn't much of a writer. Two very different skills. I think I'm a good writer until I'm compared to Mario Puzo. lol How do those thoughts about the book compare to yours?

I'll keep this book in my thoughts and keep looking.

Bob Robinson said:

You seem to be in a situation like me, a beginner with limited funds. I found a book that covers just about everything that helped me out. hope you can find one. Regards, Bob Robinson

The Complete Book of Pocketknife Repair: A Cutlers Manual [Paperback]
Ben Kelley Jr. (Author)

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on August 15, 2013 at 9:46

I found several pocket knife "lots" on eBay for around $10. Ebay even has a category called "junk drawer". lol But that's exactly what I need. Junk knives needing work. Also watched a video of someone re-working a pocket knife. Disassembled it, sanded, glued, hammered, etc. then reassembled it. I got to see how he re-pinned the scales to liners and the entire knife. He used a gap gauge to ensure the pivot didn't get too tight after hammering the pins down. I was really wondering about that and was relieved to see there is a simple solution. I have some of the tools he used. Gap gauge for one. I'll want another hammer I think and an anvil. Maybe a vise that will do better than the one I have. My bench vise (and bench of course) is in a room with no AC. For small work like this I have a small table I built I can use while sitting on the couch. A small portable vise should work for pocket knives I think. Guess what? There IS air conditioning in the room where the couch is. :) Anyway, youtube has come through again. There are lots of videos to watch with tons of info in them.

Permalink Reply by James Cole on August 15, 2013 at 9:56

Jack, I just went through my knife bookmarks and re-discovered usaknifemaker.com. There is a lot of good information and tools on that site. There is a pictorial on making a pin press using a bottle jack. Also a miniture anvil for a reasonable price. There are also some knife kits available, if they come with assemble instructions you may pick up a tip or two. Jim

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on August 15, 2013 at 10:08

I've used that site for handle material quite a bit. In fact they are the only distributor for "kirinite" which is a new material. Great pretty cheap material for knife and pistol handles. I'll be looking there for the pin press thing. Just watched a video on youtube of a guy re-pinning a knife including the pivot using only the anvil and hammer. He made it look easy but I'm sure he's got years of experience under his belt. A few mess ups as well I'm sure. If a pin press can control the pressure better that's the way for me I think.

I don't know if the book I ordered really got ordered or not. I got the email confirmation but the money hasn't been taken yet. Maybe they don't do that until an item ships. But, since I watched one video I doubt if I need a book. Now I'm an expert. lol YEAH RIGHT! lol

James Cole said:

Jack, I just went through my knife bookmarks and re-discovered usaknifemaker.com. There is a lot of good information and tools on that site. There is a pictorial on making a pin press using a bottle jack. Also a miniture anvil for a reasonable price. There are also some knife kits available, if they come with assemble instructions you may pick up a tip or two. Jim