BEST MATERIAL TO MAKE YOUR OWN KNIVES

[pankajbanjara]

I would really like to increase & update my knowledge as apart from from the traditional leaf spring (PATTA) THAT EVERY OTHER KNIFE LOVER TRIES TO USE TO FORGE OUT HIS OWN UNIQUE DESIGN,, what other readily available stuff can be put to use for making knifes which are even better & more durable than the PATTA ????,,

[dr.jayakumar]

moin and marthandan,
i am waiting for your reply.
regards
dr.jk

[TC]

Try old flat files made of German or British steel. should get them in scrap markets. Nicholson is a good brand to forge a knife if you get one.

Regards

TC

[marthandan]

@ pankaj...could you explain what you mean by durability?
used steel files are another readily available option.

@TC...indian made steel files also make good knives too.

[Moin.]

Million dollar question Pankaj; Leaf spring steel is 5160, most of the khuks from HI or KKHi are made from these. It does not require heat treats like the more exotic steels. The second option is files, JK Files are widely available.

Dr.Saab; Sorry, must have missed your query. Can you please specify what it was, will try my best to answer or get you the answer.

Regards
Moin

[Skyman]

I think the more you tell us what exactly you want your knife to do, do you want a small utility knife, a machete, or whatever else.Depending on the intended purpose, a knife can be selected.

[pankajbanjara]

actually i wanted this knowledge for everyone , at large what should be the best thing to use ,, some years back one friend use to make rambo style knives & small swords out of BAND SAW ( THE BLADES USED IN SAW MILLS ) he use to recommend the miranda brand ( with high carbon ) the used blade from a saw mill is sold as a scrap material,, he was gung ho about the quality & finish of the miranda bandsaw blade ( of course no need to buy new ones scarpped one are fine)

[Moin.]

actually i wanted this knowledge for everyone , at large what should be the best thing to use ,, some years back one friend use to make rambo style knives & small swords out of BAND SAW ( THE BLADES USED IN SAW MILLS ) he use to recommend the miranda brand ( with high carbon ) the used blade from a saw mill is sold as a scrap material,, he was gung ho about the quality & finish of the miranda bandsaw blade ( of course no need to buy new ones scarpped one are fine)

Pankaj are you sure these are band saw blades, band saw blades are quite thin and flexible, not suitable for knife making. Unless my understanding of a Band Saw is different from yours or vice versa.

Can't think of anything else, lot of steels flats available in industrial areas, but would be diffuclt to determine which would be suitable for knife making.

Lot of blanks available on US websites as well which you can order even S30V, but then these steels are very hard to file, shape and correctly heat treat. Truck or Car leaf springs are the best bet.

Best
Moin.

[pankajbanjara]

i completely agree with moin bhai ,,

[pistolero]

Dear Pankaj Banjara,

You have taken me back in time

I remember more than 15-20 years ago, I had gone to Lohar Chawl, bought a used Miranda SAW blade, taken it to Kassai Galli in Chor Bazaar, got it sharpened, went to Kumbar Wada, got the Hilt ready from teak, took it to Dharavi to make a leather sheath, and finally used my soldering iron to burn lines in the wood and finished it with cord grip (shoe lace..addidas )

And my very first Machette was ready

I carried it on my trip to camps for years and it was with me for several years and did the Job!

Sorry for going OT but could not help reminiscing..

Regards,
Pistolero

[brihacharan]

Dear Pankaj Banjara,
You have taken me back in time

I remember more than 15-20 years ago, I had gone to Lohar Chawl, bought a used Miranda SAW blade, taken it to Kassai Galli in Chor Bazaar, got it sharpened, went to Kumbar Wada, got the Hilt ready from teak, took it to Dharavi to make a leather sheath, and finally used my soldering iron to burn lines in the wood and finished it with cord grip (shoe lace..addidas )

And my very first Machette was ready I carried it on my trip to camps for years and it was with me for several years and did the Job!
Sorry for going OT but could not help reminiscing..

Regards,
Pistolero

Hi Pistolero,
> If you still possess this blade - Could you post a picture - Wld love to see it.
Briha




Hi Pistolero,

[Moin.]

Dear Pankaj Banjara,

You have taken me back in time

I remember more than 15-20 years ago, I had gone to Lohar Chawl, bought a used Miranda SAW blade, taken it to Kassai Galli in Chor Bazaar, got it sharpened, went to Kumbar Wada, got the Hilt ready from teak, took it to Dharavi to make a leather sheath, and finally used my soldering iron to burn lines in the wood and finished it with cord grip (shoe lace..addidas )

And my very first Machette was ready

I carried it on my trip to camps for years and it was with me for several years and did the Job!

Sorry for going OT but could not help reminiscing..

Regards,
Pistolero

Your age is now 35, so you went to Lohar Chawl to look for Band Saw Blades and made a machete out of it when you were 15

[pistolero]

Hi Guys,

Yes I guess I was 15-16 or thereabouts, at the time I got this blade made.
We must meet Moin, I was quiet intimidating to look at even then , the sorrow today is all the muscle from my arms has moved to belly

The only other options were the Rambo knife "look alike" being sold in Chor Bazaar apart from the usual Rampuri etc.

There was no Machette and after seeing it in a Movie I was hell bent on having one. It was holiday season and with a few hundred rupees to spare it was quiet a project. It was a prized possession for many years.

I should have this somewhere, will post photo's when im back next in India.

It was really an interesting project.

[TC]

Which movie was it Pistolero ? Was it Raiders of the Lost Arc ?

TC

[pistolero]

Hi TC,

It was Apocalyse 'Something' i dont remember the next word

It wasn't our good friend Indiana Jones, that movie made me go to Colaba Market an buy a Whip

As in all movies, the hero's never hurt themselves with their own weapons, how I wish this was true in life , after a few whacks on my back and cheeks, better sense prevailed and put it away

Pistolero