Important Facts about Homemade DIY Pocket Knives
Posted by SwordsSwords on May 19th 2020
Creative skills are the best currency for every man. The readily available advanced technologies might be taking the focus away from the manual arts of building and creating. However, it remains the truth that true creativity comes from handmade projects. Homemade DIY pocket knives fall in the same category. Learn everything about this craft and build a blade for yourself. It is easier than you think!
The expert-endorsed method of building a pocket knife from scratch is not only time consuming but also a little expensive. If you can’t afford the whole process, there are other ways to build a pocket knife. You can either refurbish an antique knife or restore an old blade. Both methods are extremely economical and only require minimal effort. The only downside to these options is the lesser extent of creative liberties you can take. The old blades are already forged and styled in certain patterns. All you can do is replace the ruined parts and remove rust from metal. For more detail on ancient blade maintenance, this Antique Knives Maintenace is your best source.
A better way to build your own pocket knives at home is to purchase DIY kits. These kits contain forged blades, different handle options, necessary screws and buttons as well as instruction manuals. While you don’t get to customize the knife, you can select the type and size of the blade. These kits can be assembled with ease by anyone. However, many blade enthusiasts dislike using them and doing everything by hand. Admittedly, it is much harder that way but it is more satisfying as well. We suggest that you select the method which is easiest for you.
There are several parts of a knife that you need to be aware of before building one. The most important part is the blade. There are multiple options when a razor blade is concerned. You can opt for a full tang vane or pick from the many hidden-blade pocket knives. The main difference between these types is the length of the knife-edge. The tip of the blade can be of various shapes such as sheepsfoot, drop-point, clip-point, straight-backed, spear-point, Wharncliffe, trailing blade, or a tanto knife. The tanto blade and the straight-back are the easiest shapes to forge and maintain.
You also need to be conscious regarding the shape and type of handles. If the knife is OTF or a folding blade, you must plan ample space for the blade inside the handle. Faulty measurements can ruin the whole ensemble. You must also make sure that the handle contains a comfortable finger and palm rest. This is pertinent to the ergonomics and comfort of the user. The locks and mechanisms are also very important for functional pocket knives. A stuck blade is of no use to anyone. This is why amateur knife builders are asked to polish their skills on simple full tang pocket knives.
You need to use stainless steel for the construction of your pocket knives. The blades made from this metal are deadly in usage and last longer as well. Our ancestors forged their daggers with copper, bronze, and pure iron. However, these ancient metals are more prone to rust and breakage. Additionally, the weight of these metals is not desirable for EDC pocket knives. You must obtain your reserve of stainless steel from authorized sources with quality certificates. The bolts, screws, and lock release buttons are also made from stainless steel. Make sure you have spare steel in case of errors. Titanium, Damascus, and J2 steel are some popular choices.
The best material to construct a handle is either wood or plastic. While stainless steel is a good option, you might require industrial-grade equipment to properly forge the shape and mechanisms. Wood and plastic are much easier to work with. However, both options have peculiar pros and cons. Plastic gives more options of color, materials, and sturdiness to a knife. One can even customize the plastic handle without fearing the replacement cost. On the other hand, plastic is very difficult to mold and forge. Additionally, the burnt plastic smell can turn off every creative brain cell. Wood is economic, traditional, and more malleable. It is the choice of almost every DIY bladesmith. Micarta, Walnut, and Pakka wood are great options for beginners.
There are so many different ways you can customize your pocket knives. Several options like color and material make all the variance in uniqueness. You can be as creative as you like while picking out combinations. Go with your favorite colors and paint your handles. There are also several methods to get a colored blade. However, the rainbow blade technique is best left to experts as it involves the use of titanium. You won’t be able to get the same multicolor result with merely steel blades. The locks and screws deserve their unique splash of color.
There are also many innovative ways to style and shape your handle. Most DIY manufacturers model their knives on historical weapons. There is also an option of modeling your blade after the pop-culture vanes you adore. However, we suggest practicality and comfort before the uniqueness of design. Your peculiar design is sure to stand out, but you can use it comfortably with sharp angles on the handle. Therefore, be smart about your design decisions. You can create a Pinterest board of all the designs you like and select from them. Remember to keep your options open. If you still need inspiration, check out the SwordsSwords knives collection. Happy building!
The Easy Way to Build Pocket Knives
The expert-endorsed method of building a pocket knife from scratch is not only time consuming but also a little expensive. If you can’t afford the whole process, there are other ways to build a pocket knife. You can either refurbish an antique knife or restore an old blade. Both methods are extremely economical and only require minimal effort. The only downside to these options is the lesser extent of creative liberties you can take. The old blades are already forged and styled in certain patterns. All you can do is replace the ruined parts and remove rust from metal. For more detail on ancient blade maintenance, this Antique Knives Maintenace is your best source.
A better way to build your own pocket knives at home is to purchase DIY kits. These kits contain forged blades, different handle options, necessary screws and buttons as well as instruction manuals. While you don’t get to customize the knife, you can select the type and size of the blade. These kits can be assembled with ease by anyone. However, many blade enthusiasts dislike using them and doing everything by hand. Admittedly, it is much harder that way but it is more satisfying as well. We suggest that you select the method which is easiest for you.
Important Parts of the Knife
There are several parts of a knife that you need to be aware of before building one. The most important part is the blade. There are multiple options when a razor blade is concerned. You can opt for a full tang vane or pick from the many hidden-blade pocket knives. The main difference between these types is the length of the knife-edge. The tip of the blade can be of various shapes such as sheepsfoot, drop-point, clip-point, straight-backed, spear-point, Wharncliffe, trailing blade, or a tanto knife. The tanto blade and the straight-back are the easiest shapes to forge and maintain.
You also need to be conscious regarding the shape and type of handles. If the knife is OTF or a folding blade, you must plan ample space for the blade inside the handle. Faulty measurements can ruin the whole ensemble. You must also make sure that the handle contains a comfortable finger and palm rest. This is pertinent to the ergonomics and comfort of the user. The locks and mechanisms are also very important for functional pocket knives. A stuck blade is of no use to anyone. This is why amateur knife builders are asked to polish their skills on simple full tang pocket knives.
Materials to Use
You need to use stainless steel for the construction of your pocket knives. The blades made from this metal are deadly in usage and last longer as well. Our ancestors forged their daggers with copper, bronze, and pure iron. However, these ancient metals are more prone to rust and breakage. Additionally, the weight of these metals is not desirable for EDC pocket knives. You must obtain your reserve of stainless steel from authorized sources with quality certificates. The bolts, screws, and lock release buttons are also made from stainless steel. Make sure you have spare steel in case of errors. Titanium, Damascus, and J2 steel are some popular choices.
The best material to construct a handle is either wood or plastic. While stainless steel is a good option, you might require industrial-grade equipment to properly forge the shape and mechanisms. Wood and plastic are much easier to work with. However, both options have peculiar pros and cons. Plastic gives more options of color, materials, and sturdiness to a knife. One can even customize the plastic handle without fearing the replacement cost. On the other hand, plastic is very difficult to mold and forge. Additionally, the burnt plastic smell can turn off every creative brain cell. Wood is economic, traditional, and more malleable. It is the choice of almost every DIY bladesmith. Micarta, Walnut, and Pakka wood are great options for beginners.
Give Your Pocket Knives a Unique Look
There are so many different ways you can customize your pocket knives. Several options like color and material make all the variance in uniqueness. You can be as creative as you like while picking out combinations. Go with your favorite colors and paint your handles. There are also several methods to get a colored blade. However, the rainbow blade technique is best left to experts as it involves the use of titanium. You won’t be able to get the same multicolor result with merely steel blades. The locks and screws deserve their unique splash of color.
There are also many innovative ways to style and shape your handle. Most DIY manufacturers model their knives on historical weapons. There is also an option of modeling your blade after the pop-culture vanes you adore. However, we suggest practicality and comfort before the uniqueness of design. Your peculiar design is sure to stand out, but you can use it comfortably with sharp angles on the handle. Therefore, be smart about your design decisions. You can create a Pinterest board of all the designs you like and select from them. Remember to keep your options open. If you still need inspiration, check out the SwordsSwords knives collection. Happy building!