as a self made knife maker, i really do appreciate the time you have put into making this series of videos. You and other knife makers have helped me progress as a fabricator, blacksmith and artist overall. Thank you Mr. Sorrells!
One of the best imo, right up with realising that you never stop learning no matter the discipline, When you think that you know it all, that's the day you should quit :-p
This is awesome Walter, but could we maybe also have top 10 rookie practical mistakes? Like don't let the point of your knife burn off while hardening, centerpunch your holes and sandwich drill with a punch in the other hole for perfect alignment, proper filing technique, don't be breathing burning motor oil and grinding dust, ... You know, the obvious things that one needs to hear or have experienced (or have common sense) to know not to do.
EddvT Love the fact that you specify its experience for some and common sense for others. You just won the #1 post on youtube of 2017 for understanding people's differences in my book.
Shop safety 101 wear safety glasses always ear and lung protection when necessary know when to wear gloves for specific tasks but do not wear gloves loose clothing (that includes a neck tie) or jewelry while operating machinery When I worked in a machine shop One of the floor managers died by wearing a tie he was a suit and had little machine safety knowledge he leaned over the spindle supervising a coworker and his tie got snagged snapped his neck instantly his head got pulled in so quick it dismembered and crushed his face within the few seconds before the emergency stop was pressed had to have a closed casket funeral his head was unrecognizable
Hey Walter, I just started making my first knife. Been following your channel for a few weeks and I really appreciate all the knowledge you give out for free. First knife is all by hand so I can learn all the aspects. So much more goes into this than the average person assumes. Anyways, thanks for what you do. 🤘
You know, Walter, this video is a life lesson, truthfully, it goes far beyond knife making. A person could apply the lessons here to any discipline. This is one of my all time favorites. Thank you for reminding me of how important the basics are.
Years ago before RUclips you had to read books or watch a pro in shop to learn how to make knives. Having a guy like Walter showing how to do stuff really makes it easier. Good upload!
Hey Walter, thanks for making these videos, particularly the ones for beginner knifemakers. They are super helpful for one such as myself who is just getting into this as a hobby.
Good stuff. I took my first blacksmith class in 2000, built a forge that year, had acquired a Bader by 2004. Built my own forges. And just last year finally acquired a 1929 Little Giant power hammer. I hand forged one Damascus billet around 2010 or so and decided I wasn't going to make any more of that without a power hammer. The Damascus is looking good, but I agree trying to do it too soon is a recipe for failure.
Another great and very informative video Walter. I have made a bunch of different knives, scrapers, punches over the years. The motivation for each stemming from, "Ooooh there's a great piece of 'mystery steel' that I can make 'some super tool' out of". All with varying degrees of success but still some valuable lessons learned.
My first knife was made from a big ass rasp. The hardness was already there, which makes drilling a bitch, but it saved me from having to heat treat. Now I have a heat treating furnace and a belt sander, and I have made 7 saleable knives.
I like how, when you discuss the foundation/basic skills, that you could transpose the name of any career and it would still be pertinent advice. Great videos. Great knives.
Thank you for this. I just started knife making a few months back and got frustrated because I started to try to do something complicated. Now I'm back at it and doing my research. I will take you advice into account and start simple.
Hey Walter, love your videos. Although I've never made a knife and probably never will, I find your videos and other videos on this subject real entertaining.
Exactly.. I'm hand filing my first file knife right now.. Hardest part is getting them annealed. I've heated them to curie point twice and cooled them in sand.. I think I may end up taking them from curie to a preheated oven next just to slow down the cooling
@@Grizzydan Pearlite is the stuff to use if you can get it. That funky rock styrofoam stuff you see in some soil mixes. Nonmagnetic then quench in that. If not, leave it to cool in the forge or refractory brick or in the hot ashes of the fire even.
I have never worked with expensive steel. I’m just a beginner. I use railroad spikes. They’re free. They’re mild steel from I heard, but I’m still learning to work and shape the steel. Great video! Thank you
It's good practice but u less it has HC stamped on top it probably won't harden at all, it's pretty much wrought iron. Good for decorative stuff and bottle openers and such, or maybe a basic tomahawk.
I have been working on knives for about a year. I had two knives tested for Rc hardness. It told me where I was at heat treating. Now I know what to do to improve my knives. All your comments are right on. I want my knives to look rustic, so people will use them. Some knives are so pretty, that people are hesitant to use them. 😊
Another good video Walter thanks. I love watching craftsmen work and see what the produce, any craft I just love seeing the skill a man has and the end result. I'm in the UK and a brick layer (think you call it a "mason" in the US).
The first thing I'm going to do when I finally get a hold of a decent grinder which can not only make handles, but also blades, is become a master jig maker.
Thanks very much for this vid. Stumbled upon yr vids only recently... and have watched them MANY times since. Never tried making a blade before but find myself strangely inspired to try. I really enjoy the clarity of your vids. Thanks again.
this is one of the first videos that i watched prior to trying my hand at knifemaking. after going through a few (and failing miserably a lot) i decided to watch again. its far more informative now that i have went through the process a few times. most of these rules are spot on but you wont really know it until you've done it, then looking back you can say "yeah...i should have listened to that guy" hahah
Thank god I found this (and a few other videos like it) before I started to make my first knife. My project went well because I started small, used 0-1 steel, from a good supplier, and kept my first attempt very modest. You speak very wisely about artistic vision btw......keep your eye on the horizon and the big payoff, but be mindful that its all the little things and the hard shitty work that gets you there. Many thanks. +1
Hi Walter, I started to make a knife from a file a few days ago...you're right, it is a lot of work to do...I don't have any equipment, just another file lol...but yeah, it works!!! now I am finishing with those small details...thank you very much for all your tips.
Hi, Mr. Sorrels. Thanks again for the awesome video. You was, and still is a great motivator for me to start out on knifemaking. I'm just finishing to build my workshop, and I just got some used files to start work right away. Thanks again, sir. =)
you are awsome.....this actually inspired me and I tried to make a knife from a previous kitchen knife just to learn and ultimate failure..now I am inspired to try again...thank you..
#8 reason find a mentor. ive been into this kind of craft for sometime already. i didnt have any tools, or equipment. ive been collecting material to work on as soon as i get my shop set up. ive been going to the flea market and looking for used cheap tools and equipment. i was surprised with what ive collected in about 6 months. i can actually start now. the bigger problem is that i live in a gated town home community 12 town homes to be exact and i dont want to make a racket for the neighbors. i kinda went off track but Walter i love your videos, and your technique. your voice drags me more into your videos. i love it when you say "old bastard file" ive learned alot from your videos, now i just have to apply the knowledge youve provided. thanks
Great video. A lot of what you said aligns with my experiences. I like to make bushcraft knives. When you get in a hurry, quality goes down. Fit and finish suffers. When I take my time, I turn out nice knives that I'm proud to show off.
Feels like your talking to me. Great video with lots of good info I started a rasp knife and it's an up hill challenge. The handle was the worst so far but I'm not giving up
Good advice. Two points in particular, know you steel & heat treating. I see alot of knife, sword, axe, etc. makers on RUclips that forge everything imaginable, such as, old files, hammer heads, rebar, rail spikes, wrenches, plows points, saw blades, auto springs, gears, and the list goes on. The funny thing is, that these "blacksmiths" heat each of those "different" steels exactly the same & harden/temper each piece exactly the same. The only, general ideal of the steel type their using is by a "spark test". And, their hardening & tempering test is "will a file cut it or skate across it. Like you mentioned, all steel isn't the same. For example, a ball peen hammer, old crosscut saw blade & a metal cutting circular saw blade will each be a different type of steel manufactured & hardened differently, each for different purposes. And a lot of their blades end up only decorative, i.e., railroad spike knives. I personally wouldn't ever make a decorative, edged weapon unless it was also absolutely, 100% functional. But I digress. Keep up the good work Mr. Sorrells.
If they're having fun and selling them as butter knives or such, I suppose. But nice knives.. mystery metal isn't the best. At least know if it's 52100 bearings or mild steel.. hold time for 52100 is needed but 1055 definitely not.. hardness after tempering will also be massively different, or its 1095 it might not harded at all in the canola oil or whatever.
Fantástico Walter, cada dia aprendo mais com seus ensinamentos, lamento não dominar a língua inglesa, o tradutor ajuda pouco, mas, estou familiarizando aos poucos, vou fazer algumas aulas de inglês para entender melhor. Obrigado por produzir esses vídeos, excelentes! Muito obrigado! Parabéns!
Hi Walter! I'm a college student and I've been watching your videos for so long. I can't really get set up to use a forge and have nowhere to put an anvil, let alone getting the proper tools. I do enjoy your videos though, keep up the great work.
I just wanna make myself a friction folder and a hunting knife, I'll probably end up making a few for my closest friends and family, but I'm going for a knife in the style I like, shaped to fit my hand and just over all knife that is specifically for me. I really like projects that take alot of effort because if it turns out it's super rewarding.
Hello Walter I really in joy your videos on knife making I have learned a lot from you. I don't understand how to find what angle on haft grinds on different thickness of the steel . Thanks for your videos
I love your philosophy. I was determined to design a good throwing knife and had some success, but was trying to do my heat treating in my forge w/ very inconsistent results. I've given up until I can make a propane oven and a 72" belt sander. I was going to use a 5 gallon metal can for the oven, but I just replaced my toilet and the top tank seems a decent shape to use. Is this inadvisable? Should I just stick with the more traditional metal can?
Man, I really enjoy watching your videos! Not only for the knowledge about knifemaking (which I really like), but also for the phillosophy and, what is called in portuguese, "world vision" (don't know if there's a proper translation for it, but it's about how you perceive and deal with a situation, more or less). You are awesome! Big fan! XD
good tip. try freehand first it is fun. then get plexi glass stencils after you get into it. Turd polishing lesson is actually a good lesson to learn the hard way at least it was for me. Now I have a neat chronological physical representation of my skills. As long as I make each one even a tiny bit better I feel good about my failures. I feel maybe some of these rookie mistakes are probably important to make and reflect on if you really want to get into metal working.
On All my first knives I left the handle scales way too thick and didn't realize it until I went to the blade show in 98. I met a lot of my bladesmith heroes I'd read about in blade magazine there. I talked to Bill Moran, Jay Hendrickson, Daniel Winkler, and Josh Smith (still a teenager but knew more than I ever will), among others. Every pro knifemaker there knew I was just a broke kid and could never afford one of their knives but just wanted to ask them tech questions and every single one was kind and more than happy to answer anything I asked. I'll never forget the experience if I live to 100. Your in good company as a master smith Walter.
Great info Walter. I really enjoy your videos and will hit you up on Patreon when I get my next paycheck. I have a nice set of Nicholson files coming. Then I'm starting with some flatbar steel from home depot to practice bevels and such. When I feel comfortable that I can work with some 1095 I'll try my hand at making a little carving knife like you showed in another video. If that goes well who knows what I'll do next. Keep up the great videos and thank you for sharing your tips AND mistakes.
Two schools that I know of for knife making here in the US. In New Braunfels Texas with Johnny Stout, and up in Beaverton Oregon with Murrey Carter. And I’m sure there are others. Best thing is to look into local hammer ins and you’ll be able to catch wind of anyone offering classes.
This video is old but I’m looking for advice. I want to make my first knife and I’m thinking a bushcraft style or just regular hunting style knife with maybe a 3.5-4 inch blade. Do you think trying to forge in a bolster or add something would be dumb? Or is it to hard as is? Any other general tips for knife making?
I just started the knife making craft. All that I could find as far as steel is concerned is flat bar steel from Home Depot. The only thing I can get from that steel are the dimensions (1.5" x 1/8" x 36"). No other specs are on the steel. Would you recommend to start with that or should I go get a specific steel from a reputable iron works place? Thanks in advance for your insight. BY THE WAY, I love your channel, great information and great knives.
Ok Walter, this is what we know as exp passed on. Thanks. Your point about masters, gurus is really important (in all trades and occupations) ! This is why I like you tube and internet so much. How do you know your master (boss) isn't doing it bassackwards !!!
I’m happy I watched this video while polish my 1st turd. Hearing you say that made me realize it. It’s has several problems I’ve noticed and had the mindset to improve the areas that I can. At the end of the day, the problems are still going to be there: gaps & I hate the handle material! Moving on, won’t make the same mistake (hopefully).
😂 Im the crankshaft guy. Most recently used a driveshaft thinking it would be hard enough for a smallsword to complete a set ive been working on for a few years. Rather disappointed so far but will try to harden it. And there is mistake #10 for me. Never got into tempering. Always tried to use material that was as hard as i wanted and not let it get hot during removal. Love your videos Walter.
When I first started making knives I was using mystery steel from i-beams I found in my barn it helped me get the shaping in the crafting down and then when I switched over to using leaf springs and high carbon steels I saw the difference and I haven't gone back since
Loving the tips videos. I am wanting to get unto the hobby, but has a quick question. Through my job, I have access to a large supply of garage door springs, would these be a good steel to use?
I'll admit to at at least four of those of those rookie mistakes but after awhile patience I'm still practicing with really cheap metals just for angles movement holding it right experimenting Etc that way if I make a mistake I don't care Louis Marx sheet metal down the road until I get it right I love your videos and quite a few out there epic little bits from each one and eventually I'll start my good knife thank you for everything you do
Thanks for the informative video. I'm about 8 or so knives into my career. I learn quickly however. Right now I've found that I'm at the step of not trying to man make it perfect enough. Got in a hurry to sell one. Taking a step back and starting fresh. Considering going and buying that knife back to get it off the market lol
In process of getting everything needed. Just bought a bag of railroad spikes just to practice on. $10 for like 30 spikes, and plenty of practice. I’m happy.
Thanks for all the helpful videos. This is the only one I didn't care for much. Thought it would be mistakes that will help me not jus common sense. lol
Thanks Walter! I am just starting and built a propane forge with a stove pipe. I have a bunch of old files I have been collecting that I want to turn into knives. I get the annealing part with a magnets. After I grind my shapes and basically have my knife what can you suggest as far as tempering. will my regular over work at 425 or is there anything you can suggest as far as how many times to temper do I go ahead and sharpen my knife before heat treat. I am just looking for functional skinning and butchering knifes. The main thing I want to achieve is sharpness and holding an edge. Hope I dont come off dumb just want to go in with some confidence.
+Donald Steiner Tempering regimens differ for different steels. But for the sort of steel typically used for files, I'd temper twice for an hour each time.
It's too soft to hold an edge for a long time That being said, it's still a cheap and effective way to get used to knife making without wasting money on HI-CARBON / super steels.
Good basic info, start small, be patient, stove for progressive improvement, complicated things will come in time, read about metallurgy. Thanks man, easy for us noobs!
Hi, first of all, very nice and useful video, since I would like to try knife making for the first time I wonder is there any danger from toxic or cancerogenic gases/fumes if there are any while you grind and heat treat steel, especially "mystery" steel ( saw blades, chrom- vanadium )?
I know that I want to learn to forge knifes, I'm looking for an anvil or at least a heavy church of flat mild steel. I have accepted that I'll suck at hammering at first. But I'm excited to get started. Luckily my brother started preparing to do this, before I did. He purchased a small forge and a very decent 2×72 belt grinder.
as a self made knife maker, i really do appreciate the time you have put into making this series of videos. You and other knife makers have helped me progress as a fabricator, blacksmith and artist overall. Thank you Mr. Sorrells!
I made my first knife today and the main lesson learned was I have a long way to go
I’ve been woodworking for 4 years and I just made my first knife. Made a beautiful handle and wooden sheath but the blade was meh 😂
I bought my first 1x30 belt sander and boyyyyy let me tell ya... I’m not even a novice hahaha I hope you progress and thrive !
Keep at it. I'm working on my first knife as well.
One of the best imo, right up with realising that you never stop learning no matter the discipline,
When you think that you know it all, that's the day you should quit :-p
Use a car to travel faster🤣 jk
Not only knife making lessons, those are life lessons.
"Doing a little things right, that is what get you to the big win." - Walter Sorrells
This is awesome Walter, but could we maybe also have top 10 rookie practical mistakes?
Like don't let the point of your knife burn off while hardening, centerpunch your holes and sandwich drill with a punch in the other hole for perfect alignment, proper filing technique, don't be breathing burning motor oil and grinding dust, ...
You know, the obvious things that one needs to hear or have experienced (or have common sense) to know not to do.
+EddvT
Good suggestion!
Like how not to centre punch STAINLESS steel and makeing the steel harden up in the spot that you are drilling
How not?
How does that happen?
Thanks
EddvT Love the fact that you specify its experience for some and common sense for others. You just won the #1 post on youtube of 2017 for understanding people's differences in my book.
Shop safety 101 wear safety glasses always ear and lung protection when necessary know when to wear gloves for specific tasks but do not wear gloves loose clothing (that includes a neck tie) or jewelry while operating machinery
When I worked in a machine shop One of the floor managers died by wearing a tie he was a suit and had little machine safety knowledge he leaned over the spindle supervising a coworker and his tie got snagged snapped his neck instantly his head got pulled in so quick it dismembered and crushed his face within the few seconds before the emergency stop was pressed had to have a closed casket funeral his head was unrecognizable
Hey Walter, I just started making my first knife. Been following your channel for a few weeks and I really appreciate all the knowledge you give out for free. First knife is all by hand so I can learn all the aspects. So much more goes into this than the average person assumes.
Anyways, thanks for what you do. 🤘
Hmmm...what the hell am I gonna do with my Sherman tank crankshaft now?
Find a Sherman Tank missing a crankshaft and take over the world
Ebay!
sharpen it and split logs?
I knew a man who built exotic lamps from engine crankshafts...
Half of a pair of bookends lol
You know, Walter, this video is a life lesson, truthfully, it goes far beyond knife making. A person could apply the lessons here to any discipline. This is one of my all time favorites. Thank you for reminding me of how important the basics are.
AKA too general advice.
Years ago before RUclips you had to read books or watch a pro in shop to learn how to make knives. Having a guy like Walter showing how to do stuff really makes it easier. Good upload!
I’ll refit an old kitchen knife first then work up to a knife from a Sherman tank gun barrel.
Good advice.
Number three is great advice for almost any artform or craft!
Hey Walter, thanks for making these videos, particularly the ones for beginner knifemakers. They are super helpful for one such as myself who is just getting into this as a hobby.
My rookie mistake no. 1. Not wearing a respirator.
LepsuSankari bruh tell me about it! My thought was in a smoker I will be fine. Instead of inhaling metal dust.
@ya mooch cooch any fine particle that can enter your lungs is dangerous. It's better to avoid damage than take a risk.
ya mooch cooch late reply, But it essentially cuts your lungs up from the inside out, causing... bad.
My mistake was wearing a very flammable flannel slag hit my arm and instant fire
Also, eye protection for grinding.
Good stuff. I took my first blacksmith class in 2000, built a forge that year, had acquired a Bader by 2004. Built my own forges. And just last year finally acquired a 1929 Little Giant power hammer. I hand forged one Damascus billet around 2010 or so and decided I wasn't going to make any more of that without a power hammer. The Damascus is looking good, but I agree trying to do it too soon is a recipe for failure.
Your videos are very well thought out and educational. I am just getting started and this really helps. Thanks!
Another great and very informative video Walter.
I have made a bunch of different knives, scrapers, punches over the years. The motivation for each stemming from, "Ooooh there's a great piece of 'mystery steel' that I can make 'some super tool' out of". All with varying degrees of success but still some valuable lessons learned.
My first knife was made from a big ass rasp. The hardness was already there, which makes drilling a bitch, but it saved me from having to heat treat. Now I have a heat treating furnace and a belt sander, and I have made 7 saleable knives.
You talk like a tradesman, I love it haha.
You could have annealed the part you were trying to drill, would have saved your bits from screaming
I like how, when you discuss the foundation/basic skills, that you could transpose the name of any career and it would still be pertinent advice. Great videos. Great knives.
Thank you for this. I just started knife making a few months back and got frustrated because I started to try to do something complicated. Now I'm back at it and doing my research. I will take you advice into account and start simple.
Can you make a video showing your failed katana and other projects that didn't turn out the way you wanted?
you're my spirit guide Walt!
Hey Walter, love your videos. Although I've never made a knife and probably never will, I find your videos and other videos on this subject real entertaining.
number seven premise: If you have no power tools, you STILL dont have an excuse.
Exactly.. I'm hand filing my first file knife right now.. Hardest part is getting them annealed. I've heated them to curie point twice and cooled them in sand.. I think I may end up taking them from curie to a preheated oven next just to slow down the cooling
@@Grizzydan
Pearlite is the stuff to use if you can get it. That funky rock styrofoam stuff you see in some soil mixes. Nonmagnetic then quench in that. If not, leave it to cool in the forge or refractory brick or in the hot ashes of the fire even.
I have never worked with expensive steel. I’m just a beginner. I use railroad spikes. They’re free. They’re mild steel from I heard, but I’m still learning to work and shape the steel. Great video! Thank you
It's good practice but u less it has HC stamped on top it probably won't harden at all, it's pretty much wrought iron. Good for decorative stuff and bottle openers and such, or maybe a basic tomahawk.
I have been working on knives for about a year. I had two knives tested for Rc hardness. It told me where I was at heat treating. Now I know what to do to improve my knives. All your comments are right on. I want my knives to look rustic, so people will use them. Some knives are so pretty, that people are hesitant to use them. 😊
Another good video Walter thanks. I love watching craftsmen work and see what the produce, any craft I just love seeing the skill a man has and the end result. I'm in the UK and a brick layer (think you call it a "mason" in the US).
The first thing I'm going to do when I finally get a hold of a decent grinder which can not only make handles, but also blades, is become a master jig maker.
Thanks very much for this vid. Stumbled upon yr vids only recently... and have watched them MANY times since. Never tried making a blade before but find myself strangely inspired to try. I really enjoy the clarity of your vids. Thanks again.
this is one of the first videos that i watched prior to trying my hand at knifemaking. after going through a few (and failing miserably a lot) i decided to watch again. its far more informative now that i have went through the process a few times. most of these rules are spot on but you wont really know it until you've done it, then looking back you can say "yeah...i should have listened to that guy" hahah
Thank god I found this (and a few other videos like it) before I started to make my first knife. My project went well because I started small, used 0-1 steel, from a good supplier, and kept my first attempt very modest. You speak very wisely about artistic vision btw......keep your eye on the horizon and the big payoff, but be mindful that its all the little things and the hard shitty work that gets you there. Many thanks. +1
Great tips Walter! I must admit I've made a few of these myself. Quality video!
+Jamie Heywood I have made all of them, got you beat there ;-))))
+Anglo Spanish Racing Ahah, nice one ;)
Hi Walter, I started to make a knife from a file a few days ago...you're right, it is a lot of work to do...I don't have any equipment, just another file lol...but yeah, it works!!! now I am finishing with those small details...thank you very much for all your tips.
Hi, Mr. Sorrels. Thanks again for the awesome video. You was, and still is a great motivator for me to start out on knifemaking. I'm just finishing to build my workshop, and I just got some used files to start work right away. Thanks again, sir. =)
you are awsome.....this actually inspired me and I tried to make a knife from a previous kitchen knife just to learn and ultimate failure..now I am inspired to try again...thank you..
#8 reason find a mentor. ive been into this kind of craft for sometime already. i didnt have any tools, or equipment. ive been collecting material to work on as soon as i get my shop set up. ive been going to the flea market and looking for used cheap tools and equipment. i was surprised with what ive collected in about 6 months. i can actually start now. the bigger problem is that i live in a gated town home community 12 town homes to be exact and i dont want to make a racket for the neighbors.
i kinda went off track but Walter i love your videos, and your technique. your voice drags me more into your videos. i love it when you say "old bastard file" ive learned alot from your videos, now i just have to apply the knowledge youve provided.
thanks
I'm starting out knife making as a hobby. Learning strictly from you. I greatly appreciate the videos!
VERY HELPFUL. Thank you Mr. Sorrells.
A lot of this advice applies to much, much more than just knife making. Great video.
Great video. A lot of what you said aligns with my experiences. I like to make bushcraft knives. When you get in a hurry, quality goes down. Fit and finish suffers. When I take my time, I turn out nice knives that I'm proud to show off.
I appreciate your attitude.
This was very informative for me as a starter👍🏻
A lot of wisdom in this video. You should think about a book.
OR A PODCAST
Thank you! These advices came in the right moment
5:28 Don't think that i missed that voicecrack
HA NICE
I saw your comment and literally waited for it to happen, worth it!
Please make this the first video in your collection. It would have made things so much clearer when I first started working on blades
Thanks Walter! Good list!
Feels like your talking to me. Great video with lots of good info I started a rasp knife and it's an up hill challenge. The handle was the worst so far but I'm not giving up
Funny, educational, and genuine.... you sir got yourself a new subscriber.
This guy is a good friend.
Good advice. Two points in particular, know you steel & heat treating. I see alot of knife, sword, axe, etc. makers on RUclips that forge everything imaginable, such as, old files, hammer heads, rebar, rail spikes, wrenches, plows points, saw blades, auto springs, gears, and the list goes on. The funny thing is, that these "blacksmiths" heat each of those "different" steels exactly the same & harden/temper each piece exactly the same. The only, general ideal of the steel type their using is by a "spark test". And, their hardening & tempering test is "will a file cut it or skate across it. Like you mentioned, all steel isn't the same. For example, a ball peen hammer, old crosscut saw blade & a metal cutting circular saw blade will each be a different type of steel manufactured & hardened differently, each for different purposes. And a lot of their blades end up only decorative, i.e., railroad spike knives. I personally wouldn't ever make a decorative, edged weapon unless it was also absolutely, 100% functional. But I digress. Keep up the good work Mr. Sorrells.
oldtimer4567 I’ve always been skeptical of this. But wish someone would upload videos of heat treating different steels
If they're having fun and selling them as butter knives or such, I suppose. But nice knives.. mystery metal isn't the best. At least know if it's 52100 bearings or mild steel.. hold time for 52100 is needed but 1055 definitely not.. hardness after tempering will also be massively different, or its 1095 it might not harded at all in the canola oil or whatever.
Thankyou Walter.
Always enjoy your videos & get a lot of info & confidence belive it or not...
Cheers mate.
Mark & Belinda Richards...
Thanks for the metallurgy links!
Great video and thanks for sharing!
Everything you say is on point. I'm an amateur wood guy and it all applies to that as well. Any craft I guess. Great vid and advice
Just wanted to say thank you for being so informative.
Fantástico Walter, cada dia aprendo mais com seus ensinamentos, lamento não dominar a língua inglesa, o tradutor ajuda pouco, mas, estou familiarizando aos poucos, vou fazer algumas aulas de inglês para entender melhor. Obrigado por produzir esses vídeos, excelentes! Muito obrigado! Parabéns!
Hi Walter! I'm a college student and I've been watching your videos for so long. I can't really get set up to use a forge and have nowhere to put an anvil, let alone getting the proper tools. I do enjoy your videos though, keep up the great work.
I just wanna make myself a friction folder and a hunting knife, I'll probably end up making a few for my closest friends and family, but I'm going for a knife in the style I like, shaped to fit my hand and just over all knife that is specifically for me. I really like projects that take alot of effort because if it turns out it's super rewarding.
your still on the couch watching south park and youtube videos.
Another great video Walter. Thanks for the tools for thought sir!
Thank you for great and helpful video. Greeting from Czech Republic!
I have found this to be one of the best channels for knifes
Hello Walter I really in joy your videos on knife making I have learned a lot from you. I don't understand how to find what angle on haft grinds on different thickness of the steel . Thanks for your videos
I love your philosophy. I was determined to design a good throwing knife and had some success, but was trying to do my heat treating in my forge w/ very inconsistent results. I've given up until I can make a propane oven and a 72" belt sander. I was going to use a 5 gallon metal can for the oven, but I just replaced my toilet and the top tank seems a decent shape to use. Is this inadvisable? Should I just stick with the more traditional metal can?
Awesome vid bro. Thanks for putting this out there. I've learned a lot from watching your stuff. Keep it up.
Great video Mr. Sorrell
This goes along also with woodworking, and a lot more haha.
Man, I really enjoy watching your videos! Not only for the knowledge about knifemaking (which I really like), but also for the phillosophy and, what is called in portuguese, "world vision" (don't know if there's a proper translation for it, but it's about how you perceive and deal with a situation, more or less).
You are awesome! Big fan! XD
Got to say I'm a little bit in love with you after watching this 🤩 Absolutely brilliant video, thanks so much for making this ☮
Great advise and well presented. Thanks.
good tip. try freehand first it is fun. then get plexi glass stencils after you get into it. Turd polishing lesson is actually a good lesson to learn the hard way at least it was for me. Now I have a neat chronological physical representation of my skills. As long as I make each one even a tiny bit better I feel good about my failures. I feel maybe some of these rookie mistakes are probably important to make and reflect on if you really want to get into metal working.
I was doing ALL of those mistakes before watching this video
Thank you Walter
On All my first knives I left the handle scales way too thick and didn't realize it until I went to the blade show in 98. I met a lot of my bladesmith heroes I'd read about in blade magazine there. I talked to Bill Moran, Jay Hendrickson, Daniel Winkler, and Josh Smith (still a teenager but knew more than I ever will), among others. Every pro knifemaker there knew I was just a broke kid and could never afford one of their knives but just wanted to ask them tech questions and every single one was kind and more than happy to answer anything I asked. I'll never forget the experience if I live to 100. Your in good company as a master smith Walter.
Thanks Walter!
Great info Walter. I really enjoy your videos and will hit you up on Patreon when I get my next paycheck.
I have a nice set of Nicholson files coming. Then I'm starting with some flatbar steel from home depot to practice bevels and such. When I feel comfortable that I can work with some 1095 I'll try my hand at making a little carving knife like you showed in another video. If that goes well who knows what I'll do next. Keep up the great videos and thank you for sharing your tips AND mistakes.
Two schools that I know of for knife making here in the US. In New Braunfels Texas with Johnny Stout, and up in Beaverton Oregon with Murrey Carter. And I’m sure there are others. Best thing is to look into local hammer ins and you’ll be able to catch wind of anyone offering classes.
Better video than expected
Walter iu think this is very helpful I am glad I went back to watch it it hsss been 3yrs since my accident and I am heeling better but thank you
Thanks for the insight very useful
This video is old but I’m looking for advice. I want to make my first knife and I’m thinking a bushcraft style or just regular hunting style knife with maybe a 3.5-4 inch blade. Do you think trying to forge in a bolster or add something would be dumb? Or is it to hard as is? Any other general tips for knife making?
Just do it. You will learn more screwing up and wasting a half or whole day's effort than 2 years of getting tips.
I just started the knife making craft. All that I could find as far as steel is concerned is flat bar steel from Home Depot. The only thing I can get from that steel are the dimensions (1.5" x 1/8" x 36"). No other specs are on the steel. Would you recommend to start with that or should I go get a specific steel from a reputable iron works place? Thanks in advance for your insight.
BY THE WAY, I love your channel, great information and great knives.
Thank you very much, Sir. Well done.
Great video, glad I found this channel. Would like to incorporate bladesmithing as part of learning blacksmithing.
Ok Walter, this is what we know as exp passed on. Thanks. Your point about masters, gurus is really important (in all trades and occupations) ! This is why I like you tube and internet so much. How do you know your master (boss) isn't doing it bassackwards !!!
Great video, thanks.
I’m happy I watched this video while polish my 1st turd. Hearing you say that made me realize it. It’s has several problems I’ve noticed and had the mindset to improve the areas that I can. At the end of the day, the problems are still going to be there: gaps & I hate the handle material!
Moving on, won’t make the same mistake (hopefully).
albertnava02 finished my first and those little gaps drive me up the wall. Will definitely clamp better next go round
😂 Im the crankshaft guy.
Most recently used a driveshaft thinking it would be hard enough for a smallsword to complete a set ive been working on for a few years.
Rather disappointed so far but will try to harden it. And there is mistake #10 for me.
Never got into tempering. Always tried to use material that was as hard as i wanted and not let it get hot during removal.
Love your videos Walter.
I also use mistery steel..... And all of them were crap
When I first started making knives I was using mystery steel from i-beams I found in my barn it helped me get the shaping in the crafting down and then when I switched over to using leaf springs and high carbon steels I saw the difference and I haven't gone back since
Loving the tips videos. I am wanting to get unto the hobby, but has a quick question. Through my job, I have access to a large supply of garage door springs, would these be a good steel to use?
This Mistakes apply to knife and to a lot o other skills in life. Great video
Happy Camper good to know I should use o1 steel for guitar making
Hey! How about 65G spring steel, is it ok to work with, also is it enough good for making throwing knifes? Thank you for your videos!!
I'll admit to at at least four of those of those rookie mistakes but after awhile patience I'm still practicing with really cheap metals just for angles movement holding it right experimenting Etc that way if I make a mistake I don't care Louis Marx sheet metal down the road until I get it right I love your videos and quite a few out there epic little bits from each one and eventually I'll start my good knife thank you for everything you do
Thanks for the informative video. I'm about 8 or so knives into my career. I learn quickly however. Right now I've found that I'm at the step of not trying to man make it perfect enough. Got in a hurry to sell one. Taking a step back and starting fresh. Considering going and buying that knife back to get it off the market lol
Good Start. Thank you!
In process of getting everything needed. Just bought a bag of railroad spikes just to practice on. $10 for like 30 spikes, and plenty of practice. I’m happy.
Thanks for all the helpful videos. This is the only one I didn't care for much. Thought it would be mistakes that will help me not jus common sense. lol
Thanks Walter! I am just starting and built a propane forge with a stove pipe. I have a bunch of old files I have been collecting that I want to turn into knives. I get the annealing part with a magnets. After I grind my shapes and basically have my knife what can you suggest as far as tempering. will my regular over work at 425 or is there anything you can suggest as far as how many times to temper do I go ahead and sharpen my knife before heat treat. I am just looking for functional skinning and butchering knifes. The main thing I want to achieve is sharpness and holding an edge.
Hope I dont come off dumb just want to go in with some confidence.
+Donald Steiner Tempering regimens differ for different steels. But for the sort of steel typically used for files, I'd temper twice for an hour each time.
+Walter Sorrells Thanks Walter its a file from probably the 1940 or 50 so Im hoping for a good carbon content. Appreciate the help
+Walter Sorrells I have one simple question would mild steel hold an edge or is it too soft.
It's too soft to hold an edge for a long time
That being said, it's still a cheap and effective way to get used to knife making without wasting money on HI-CARBON / super steels.
+jason Mackenzie thanks Jason that's kind of what I thought using leaf springs and files lol
Good basic info, start small, be patient, stove for progressive improvement, complicated things will come in time, read about metallurgy. Thanks man, easy for us noobs!
*"strive for" not stove for
Hi, first of all, very nice and useful video, since I would like to try knife making for the first time I wonder is there any danger from toxic or cancerogenic gases/fumes if there are any while you grind and heat treat steel, especially "mystery" steel ( saw blades, chrom- vanadium )?
I started with making small neck knives , so now I do the same ;) thanks for sharing. ThumbZ UP !!!
Just subscribed, watched a couple, and looking forward to the other videos!
Thank You Sir.
I know that I want to learn to forge knifes, I'm looking for an anvil or at least a heavy church of flat mild steel. I have accepted that I'll suck at hammering at first. But I'm excited to get started. Luckily my brother started preparing to do this, before I did. He purchased a small forge and a very decent 2×72 belt grinder.