Don’t Buy a Marking Knife Until You See This Simple DIY!
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- In this video, I turn old secondhand kitchen knives into functional marking knives for woodworking. Inspired by Paul Sellers’ clever approach to tool-making, I wanted to experiment with different styles-like spearpoint and kiridashi-without breaking the bank.
Using simple tools like a bench vise, hacksaw, belt sander, and hand files, I shape and sharpen these knives into precision tools perfect for scribing clean, accurate lines on wood. Along the way, I share tips on sharpening, handle finishing with raw linseed oil, and testing the final results to see which style feels best in hand.
Big thanks to Paul Sellers for the inspiration! Check out his original video here: • Upcycling a Layout Kni...
Would you try making your own marking knife? Let me know in the comments if you’re team spearpoint or team kiridashi!
Tools and Materials Used:
Old kitchen knives (thrifted)
Bench vise
Hacksaw and hand files
Belt sander
Pliers
Diamond sharpening stones
2500-grit wet sandpaper
Stropping stick
Raw linseed oil
If you enjoyed this video, consider liking, subscribing, and sharing with your woodworking friends. Thanks for watching!
I did this many years ago with a cheap kitchen knife, however with a plastic handles, your timber handled knives look fantastic, going to have to upgrade my marking knives with a trip to the op shop. Thank you for putting out this great video
Thanks so much for the kind words! That sounds awesome! How did your old knife hold up over the years? It’s fun how even small changes, like the handle material, can give a different feel. Hope you find some cool knives on your next thrift store trip!
I just can’t bring myself to spend the money on a marking knife. A few weeks ago my wife was tossing out some wooden handle steak knifes. After watching your video, I’m glad I saved them from the trash bin. Thank you for the inspiration. New subscriber.
Thank you so much! I’m really glad the video gave you some inspiration. That’s awesome you saved those steak knives. They’ll make great marking knives! My favorite so far is made from an old steak knife. It feels really solid. It’s always satisfying to repurpose something instead of throwing it away. Welcome to the channel. I really appreciate your support!
I Know witch road I will choose .. Thanks Carl
That's awesome! Happy to be of guidance at the crossroad. Thanks for watching.
I have been using an Xacto with replaceable blades. I now have to make my own. Thank you.
And that xacto probably works just fine😁 but it is a fun and quick project, and you'll probably not regret making one. Have fun. Thank you for the veiw and comment!
I like renewing old knives so I would enjoy doing this. Currently I have no marking knives so....perfect!
Nice, I'm glad you came across this then! What type of knives do you mostly restore?
super cool, as a teen whos interested in woodworking and sticks w diy tools ill def keep this in mind 👍
Thank you for the comment. It's awesome to hear👍 so much joy can come from woodworking. Second-hand stores can also be a good way to find great tools cheap. Keep it up🤙
Great way to reuse old knives and give them a second life. Also, great way to as you noted experience different styles of knives and tweak them to your own liking. Whether or not you’ll want to buy a more expensive knife, you know see how this one works long-term and if you get to the point where you need it by the one you want after you’ve experienced whatthe benefits and downsides are of each style.
Thank you! I’m really glad you think so. There’s something so satisfying about turning old, unused tools into something that fits your needs. It’s been a great way to learn what works for me, and I’m excited to see how these hold up over time. I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts!
Made my own. One from a file and the others from saw blades. The one from the file is spear point and the others are left and right Kiridashi style.
That’s awesome! Making your own tools is so rewarding. I bet the one from the file feels solid, and having left and right kiridashi knives must be really useful. Thanks for sharing!
What a tremendous video, thank you!
Thank you so much! I'm really glad you liked the video. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment!
excellent idea, simple and effective well done :)
The idea I have to credit Paul Seller, but thank you so much for watching and commenting. Hope it inspires👍
Really enjoyed your video!
Thank you for sharing…
🙏👏👍
That's great 👍 hope it inspires! Thank you for watching and commenting 🙏
That is a clever idea. 👍👍👍
Thanks 🙂
Great idea
Thanks!
The extra-fine should be a 1200 DMT... you can go straight to a strop with CrO after that, and get a mirror finish.
Thank you so much for useful info. I will try that! Wasn't shore what grit it was. So I just finished with some sandpaper I knew had a finer grit.
Nice idear
I prob give it a try 1 day
Gd work keep it up
Thanks! Go for it👍
If you come across a worn out or broken file, say 4" or 6" you know, at flea sales garage and yard sales, even second hand shops, or the file someone used as a pry bar, that didn't work out so well .... ? Well, they make great marking knives. Especially as they have a tang, because you have a couple of small pieces of really nice wood, too big to throw away and too small for any job you can think of right now. We'll they're about to become the laminated handles of that new super duper marking knife that your about to make, that's right, the marking knife that will be the envy of the free world, the marking knife that will grace the cover of Time Life and Vogue ......... I think I'd better stop before I get too carried away .....😂
HaHa! I love this comment. Had me smiling the whole way through. And you’re right, that’s a great idea. Files are tough as can be, and using some scrap wood for the handle sounds perfect. I always have a hard time throwing away scraps because they might come in handy, and this is the perfect excuse to finally use some. Now I kind of feel like I have to make that ‘marking knife to envy the free world’!
How many marking knives does a man need? Especially when woodworkers years ago never had any and look what they made!
Thanks for the great comment! I can’t speak for other men, but I can never get enough knives! Haha. But probably one or none. You make a good point-woodworkers in the past didn’t have the variety of marking knives we have now. A lot of them used their whittling knives for both carving and marking. But marking knives have been around for centuries, and those craftsmen created amazing work with simple tools. I’m just having fun experimenting with what works for me. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
Functional cutting tools are dirt cheap to buy, or easy to make. It is the trendy design, advertising campaigns, and high visibility sellers that cost a fortune. For REAL function, Old Hickory can supply whatever you really NEED, right off the shelf.
That’s a really good point! It’s easy to get caught up in the marketing and trends, but at the end of the day, functionality is what really matters. I’ve never heard of Old Hickory before, but I’ll definitely look into them. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
@@CarlsCreativeCorner Old Hickory is an old company that make a large variety of inexpensive, high carbon, wood handled food processing knives, as well as knives for other purposes. I used to collect knives, and had a variety. I camp a lot, and when I take a knife on a long outdoor journey, it is usually an Old Hickory.
Sounds like a solid brand! I love hearing about quality, no-nonsense tools that just get the job done. I’ll have to check them out. Any model you’d recommend?