A homemade knife can be easily made from an old hand saw. With just a few steps you can turn trash into treasure.
Naturally, the first thing you need is an old hand saw. You can still find them in many places like junk shops, old tool markets or flea markets.
Don't go for the well-preserved ones, look for the rusted ones and the ones with broken handles. These will be very cheap and work just as well. Just don't buy the saws with heavy pitting.
Just a few bucks is all you should pay for old hand saws in this condition. You're after the old ones due to the high-carbon steel contained in them. Edges will stay sharp a long time with this kind of steel.
Take the bolts out of what remains of the handle when you get it home and you might want to go ahead and run a piece of fine sandpaper over it to remove the surface rust and clean it up some.
The knives made from saw steel will be thin, tough and flexible, just what you want for great kitchen knives. The tempered steel will create a fine old fashioned knife.
High heat will destroy the temper in saw blade steel so you can't cut the blade out with a torch. You will need to use other mechanical methods to do this. Your old fashioned knife will need the tempering to stay sharp and flexible.
Using a grinder or belt sander to remove the rough cut marks will transform your knife blank into a shiny piece of metal that will now start to look like a homemade knife.
Drill three holes in the handle area of the knife blank to accept the rivets that will hold the wooden handles pieces. Anneal (soften) the steel first at these points with a small propane torch.
Attaching a wooden handle to a homemade knife is not difficult. It just requires some epoxy glue and rivets.
Store-bought rivets are available, but it just seems more correct for a homemade knife to make your own. Brass or copper are best.
Once the handle is on, it's time to finish up by putting an edge on the blade. I use either a bench grinder or belt sander for this. Take your time, check your work often and keep the blade cool by dousing in water every couple of passes. Making a fine homemade knife is a work of patience.
Slow even passes on the machine are what makes for perfect edges. Use very little pressure and try to keep a steady angle all the way across. If you feel the metal getting too hot, douse it in water to cool it.
With the right touch it should be only minutes before you have a homemade knife that should give you good service and last for decades.
Naturally, the first thing you need is an old hand saw. You can still find them in many places like junk shops, old tool markets or flea markets.
Don't go for the well-preserved ones, look for the rusted ones and the ones with broken handles. These will be very cheap and work just as well. Just don't buy the saws with heavy pitting.
Just a few bucks is all you should pay for old hand saws in this condition. You're after the old ones due to the high-carbon steel contained in them. Edges will stay sharp a long time with this kind of steel.
Take the bolts out of what remains of the handle when you get it home and you might want to go ahead and run a piece of fine sandpaper over it to remove the surface rust and clean it up some.
The knives made from saw steel will be thin, tough and flexible, just what you want for great kitchen knives. The tempered steel will create a fine old fashioned knife.
High heat will destroy the temper in saw blade steel so you can't cut the blade out with a torch. You will need to use other mechanical methods to do this. Your old fashioned knife will need the tempering to stay sharp and flexible.
Using a grinder or belt sander to remove the rough cut marks will transform your knife blank into a shiny piece of metal that will now start to look like a homemade knife.
Drill three holes in the handle area of the knife blank to accept the rivets that will hold the wooden handles pieces. Anneal (soften) the steel first at these points with a small propane torch.
Attaching a wooden handle to a homemade knife is not difficult. It just requires some epoxy glue and rivets.
Store-bought rivets are available, but it just seems more correct for a homemade knife to make your own. Brass or copper are best.
Once the handle is on, it's time to finish up by putting an edge on the blade. I use either a bench grinder or belt sander for this. Take your time, check your work often and keep the blade cool by dousing in water every couple of passes. Making a fine homemade knife is a work of patience.
Slow even passes on the machine are what makes for perfect edges. Use very little pressure and try to keep a steady angle all the way across. If you feel the metal getting too hot, douse it in water to cool it.
With the right touch it should be only minutes before you have a homemade knife that should give you good service and last for decades.
About the Author:
Making a homemade knife is an interesting and fun project. You'll be morphing a piece of worthless metal into great tools to use, give as gifts or sell. You can learn all you need to know to get started with this craft at http://www.how-to-make-a-knife.com
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