Knifemaking 101 - Part 2 of 3: Making a knife with Minimal Tools
Channel: Daniel Rotblatt
Date: 11/06/2021

The genesis for this video series was the number of questions on Facebook beginning knife makers forum asking "What tools do I need to buy to get started in this hobby?"  I decided to make a knife using the minimum number of power tools and the minimum expense.  The only power tools I needed were an angle grinder and a drill.  In addition I had to make an inexpensive 2-brick forge (in video 2) for heat treating.  If you had to buy all the tools and equipment new, it would cost $275-300.

--Contents of Video--
00:00 Start
08:23 The 2-brick Forge -an Overview
04:52 Forge layout and dimensions
06:53 Carving the Bricks
14:20 Assembling the Forge
19:13 Heat Treating the Blade
25:04 Tempering the Blade

•In Video 1 we discuss the process, cut out a knife blank, grind, file and rough sand the bevels, and drill holes in the handle.
•In Video 2 (This Video) we build a 2-brick forge and heat treat the knife.
•In Video 3 we finish sand the blade, cut and glue the handle on, shape it and finish the knife.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS -  $275-300 if you buy everything on this list.
*1 PIECE 1084 STEEL: Alpha Knife Supply has the cheapest shipping if you buy 12" pieces, but a $25 min order is required. Buy stock 2.5-3" wide for several knives to decrease waste.
*PIN MATERIAL in Brass, Steel, Aluminum - Ace Hardware usually carries hobbyist brass tubing and rod. Get whatever size you like, and a drill the same size to match.  ⅛” is the minimum if you are only going for 2 pins like in the video.  It’s what I used.  Other options are Welding or Brazing rod, bamboo skewers, or wood dowels. - $2
*WOOD Any hardwood. From a knife supplier, lumber yard or scrap. - $0-20
*ANGLE GRINDER (4.5”) I recommend a Ryobi for a starter.  They last well, and have the handle position perpendicular to the disc for cutting. - Home Depot  “5.5 Amp Corded 4-1/2 in. Angle Grinder” (check it has that top handle position) - $40
*ELECTRIC DRILL (cordless or corded)
Harbor Freight or Amazon has an $18 corded drills, or, Home Depot starts at about $30 for a decent Ryobi.  Take your pick. - $18-30
*CUTOFF DISC, GRINDING DISC, FLAP DISC - Harbor Freight  “4-1/2 In. Metal Grinding/Cut Off/Flap Wheel Assorted Set 10 Pc.” (sku47572)- $10
*SHARPIE
*RULER or STRAIGHT EDGE
*DIVIDER Harbor Freight - “6 In. Locking Wing Divider” (sku 63659 or 96439) - $6 
*VICE Harbor freight has two that would work well.  The clamp-on with more positions, but smaller. - Harbor Freight “2.5” clamp on swivel vice” (sku 97160) - $22 , or “3” swivel vice with anvil” - (sku 61329) $30
*2 SMALL C-CLAMPS - Harbor Freight - “3” C-Clamp” [or any  Hardware store] - $3@ (Total $6)
*FILES (I have substituted a Flat Mill File for the 4” file I was using, it makes for a better set)
•½ round Bastard file (about 8”) - Amazon “Nicholson - 04960NN 04960N 8" Half-Round Smooth Cut” ~$16
•Single Cut file (6-8”) The single cut file has a slower cutting action but finer finish than the bastard file. The one listed below has a single cut side and a double cut side.
Amazon “Crescent Nicholson 8" Rectangular Double/Single Cut Handy File, Carded, 06601NN” - $8
•Inexpensive needle file set (no diamond files) - Amazon - $10
*DRILL BIT(S) - You can buy one or a small set
*CONCRETE NAILS (Masonry Nails) Great for making small chisels, punches, etc. - Amazon: “NATIONAL NAIL 93198 Pro-Fit 0093198 Square Cut Heat Treated Masonry, 16D X 3-1/2 in, Hardened Steel Hardware-Nails” - $6
*INSULATING FIREBRICK (2): But 4.5x2.5x9” bricks, rated at 2600 degrees F. - Amazon: “Lynn Manufacturing Insulating Fire Brick, 2600F Rated, Single, for Kilns, Forges, Metal Clay Firing, Jewelry Soldering, 9" x 4.5" x 2.5", K-26, 3126P” - $30 for 2
*PROPANE TORCH - Harbor Freight “Propane Torch with 3 Burners” (sku 91899) - $30
*[Optional] PROPANE ADAPTOR to connect the Propane torch from harbor freight to a 20 lb propane tank: Amazon: “KIBOW High Pressure Propane Adaptor & Hose 5FT Long/Connects 1LB Propane Tank Connector Appliances to a Refillable 20 LBs Tank-CSA Certified” - $15
*BINDING WIRE (also called “rebar wire”): Any hardware Store - $6
*LINESMAN PLIERS (or any pliers with wire cutter on them) - Harbor Freight - $4
*HACK SAW Harbor Freight has a nice Hack Saw Set (item 90446) for $14 which looks like a good tensioning hack saw, or a cheap regular hacksaw for $4.  I recommend the $14 set - $5-30
*COFFEE CAN (or other lg Tin Can)
*Canola or Peanut OIL (enough to fill Coffee Can) - $5
*SANDPAPER Assorted set, wet and dry 120-3000 grit Amazon - $5-9
*EPOXY (2 part) - Buy medium or long set epoxy (not 5 minute). Many brands will work: Devcon, loctite, gorilla, etc.  I use West Systems G-Flex, but it’s expensive. Hardware Store - $5-10
*CYANOACRYLATE GLUE (Super Glue, Loctite, Krazy Glue, CA).  ***Buy “Thin” not “Gel” - Hardware Store, Amazon - $6-7
*SPRING CLAMPS(2) - Harbor Freight or Hardware Store - $4 ($2@)
*BLUE PAINTERS TAPE or any Masking Tape - Hardware Store - $4