Making a hunting knife. First thing you will need is some kind of good steel. I like to use old circular blades, I prefer the ones with the high carbon german steel, you also need a deer antler to cut down for your handle. Here is the list of tools that I used to make my knives. Flat file, permanent marker, 5/32" drill bit, drill, angle grinder with metal cutting disks, hand saw and a vice. Now that I have all of my tools, we are ready to get started. First I take the circular saw blade and use the marker to draw out the shape and style of the blade that I want. Shown in the picture below is, the steps that I take when cutting out a blade.

   NOTE; high carbon german steel is usually very hard, I use a bucket of water to dip the blade in between each cut. This helps to keep the temper in the metal.

        I use my angle grinder to make the cuts shown in the order above. After I cut out the rough shape of the knife, I then grind the edges smooth then with the blade locked in a vice, I hollow ground the edge side of the blade. Below is a picture of a blade which is unfinished along with the antler I will be cutting for a handle. Notice the dull color of the second blade down, both knives were cut out of the same circular blade. How I will brighten the color of the second blade down, is by wet sanding with course paper and going to finer paper until I achieve the polished finish I want.

   NOTE; high carbon german steel is usually very hard, I use a bucket of water to dip the blade in between each cut. This helps to keep the temper in the metal.

        I use my angle grinder to make the cuts shown in the order above. After I cut out the rough shape of the knife, I then grind the edges smooth then with the blade locked in a vice, I hollow ground the edge side of the blade. Below is a picture of a blade which is unfinished along with the antler I will be cutting for a handle. Notice the dull color of the second blade down, both knives were cut out of the same circular blade. How I will brighten the color of the second blade down, is by wet sanding with course paper and going to finer paper until I achieve the polished finish I want.

         To fit the knife blade permanently into the hole in the antler handle, I use apoxy, which you can get at local hardware or automotive store.

        The two knives shown above are the perfect size for skinning and gutting game. They are about 6 1/2" overall, 3 1/4" blades. I hope you enjoy this segment, be safe and have fun.

                 Tell a friend about us, crossbowhunters.com

All material is property of crossbowhunters.com. All rights reserved.2006