Woodworkers and knife makers

[Spots]

So I made the decision to get serious about knife making today. A lot of what we have been making is rough out stuff, nothing beautiful, but it works, and is fairly strong. Today I decided to start using nicer woods, doing more finish work, and making nicer, classier knives. Anyways I picked up some tools and materials to this effect and was wondering if anyone notices something missing from what I got that would make a substantial difference in build quality. Also I need advice on polishing the blades while leaving a handmade look to them?

To make nicer handles I bought some rosewood and purple heartwood blanks, and a large selection of Iwasaki files. I used these files tonight on the handle of my newest bowie, and they cut amazingly well. I would suggest a few different types to anyone who works with wood. I got the 150mm half round and flat medium cuts, a 200mm flat fine cut, and an 8mm round cut for cutting the tang holes in handles. I also bought some very good sand paper, and was amazed at the difference from the cheap stuff. Its Abranet multipack, with 80-600 grain. It made a huge difference in finishing the out the oak handle on my last knife. On the steel side I bought some nice blanks of 5160 and 1084 that are in smaller widths and better thicknesses then the leaf springs I've been using. Does anyone notice anything I've missed? And what makes a good polishing system for the high carbon steel blades, that won't take away all the forging marks, but will make it look better. Thanks guys.

[quietguy]

A bandsaw really helps in rough shaping your blanks. I coping saw will work, but not as well.

Also, check out the Microplanes. They work well, and don't load like files.

[Spots]

I should have mentioned I have a bandsaw, router, table saw, etc. Also have a really good draw knife, thats what we use to draw most blanks down to a general shape. I was amazed how well those files cut, as well as the mesh backed sand paper.

[quietguy]

Then it sounds like you are pretty well setup.

For a cool project, you may want to try working with some of the ceramic blanks that you can pickup for most Woodcraft stores. They make great kitchen knives.

[Guest Bowdenknxvll]

Looks like you have about everything you need there. A few things I will add that has.

helped me with

my fit and finish are:

oscillating sander or drum spindles you can chuck in your drill press. They are great for choils or palm swells

A piece of granite for flatening anything. I use between each grit on the belt sander as well as on the scales and tang before glue up.

Good wet dry paper. The best Ive used is called rynowet. You can get it at supergrit and its not too expensive.

As for polishing, I use a scitchbrite belt but my buddy uses different wheel setups on his buffer. I would think hand sanding the blade shouldnt take off all the forge marks but a belt would for sure.

A couple thinhs you could make that would help are sanding blocks for wood and for the blade

I built a knifemakers vice and dont know how I lived without it! It allows you to rotate the knife when filing handles without having to pull it out of the vice every time.

[Guest Bowdenknxvll]

I forgot wood! The best deals you will find are on ebay. I have a few guys that sell wood to luthiers that keep the cutoffs for me. Iys always super figured and already bookmatched.