Knifemaking

Knifemaking is the building of a knife, which includes the blade, handle and other accouterments. It all starts with the blade, most of which are made of steel by one of two methods: the removal of metal from a steel blank via a grinder in the process known as stock removal, and the forging to shape of hot steel into a blade in the process known as bladesmithing. There are other ways of making blades as well, including the knapping of volcanic glass (obsidian) or stone into a blade, casting steel, ceramics, etc. Handles, meanwhile, come in any number of shapes and materials. Other parts, including bolsters, guards, pommels, etc., are needed to complete the finished knife.

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Steel That Changed History in April BLADE®

The steel that changed knives forever, the hottest knives of the hottest custom makers, how to build an emergency shelter and much more highlight the April BLADE®, on most newsstands NOW! Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Bill Moran introduced modern …
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Video: New England School of Metalwork Tour

Here’s a look at the classes offered by the American Bladesmith Society at the New England School of Metalwork.
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Video: Jigging and Shaping Knife Handle Scales

American Bladesmith Society master smith Steve Dunn demonstrates how to jig and shape knife handle scales in this video. The tutorial was shot during the Slip Joint Folding Knife class at Haywood Community College in Clyde, North Carolina, on Dec. …
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Video: How to Select a Milling Vise for Knifemaking

This demonstration on the selection and use of milling vises is by Dale Schafer, Machine/Tool Technology Instructor at the Washburn Institute of Technology. This was one of the demonstrations at the 3rd Heartland Hammer-In in Topeka, Kansas sponsored by the …
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Tips for Grinding a Blade

Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from Murray Carter’s new book, Bladesmithing with Murray Carter. Click here to learn more from this renowned knifemaker. The shape of the blade, or profile, must be precisely ground. Grinding is the operation of …
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How to Select a Steel for Forging

Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from Murray Carter’s new book, Bladesmithing with Murray Carter. Click here to learn more from this renowned knifemaker. The first and most logical approach is to select steel by doing some research on cutlery …
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Silver Wire Inlay Techniques by Joe Keeslar, MS

Master Smith Joe Keeslar demonstrates Silver Wire Inlay work techniques including stabing chisel cuts, wire forming, wood selection, and wire cutting.