Lekker hobby!

**Desert Rat** · 03-10-2012, 11:34

Knife making has got to be one of the best and most rewarding hobbies one can practice. turning an ordinary piece of steel into a beautiful tool which if looked after should /could probably out live you. Your knife that you made becomes very personal as it has your character embedded in in and even though I do it as a hobby I sell the occasional knife to be able to re-supply myself in Steel and Handle materials etc. You cannot believe how hard I find it to part with a knife.
You should try it one day...really addictive!!
Here are a few examples I have completed

Attachment 8494 Attachment 8495 Attachment 8496 Attachment 8497 Attachment 8498

**marshy** · 03-10-2012, 11:41

It looks like a great hobby! I was wondering though, what machinery is required to get into it? Also, what sort of cost outlay for someone looking to start out?

**LoodDruppel** · 03-10-2012, 12:29

Looks very nice, DR!

Subscribed.

**Desert Rat** · 03-10-2012, 12:44

Marshy you need a belt grinder for sure with 300mm wheel. I went the easy way and bought a machine from Herbst and then there are a menagerie of additional attachments that you can attach on but quite honestly a belt grinder with a 300mm wheel is all you need and then some elbow grease!! You can make your own as well. One could make a knife using handtools but then you will have a flat grind blade and not hollow ground... obviously you would have to get all your filing complete before hardening because once hardened all you can do then is polish with water paper. Initial cost for all my kit from machine to drill bits and consumables etc was about R9500, I went the whole hog from kickoff, but you can get the basics and scale up as you go.

**harm** · 03-10-2012, 13:27

nice work

**Proudprado** · 03-10-2012, 15:14

I want number 4 for Christmas please.

**Desert Rat** · 03-10-2012, 19:34

Originally Posted by Proudprado

I want number 4 for Christmas please.

The grey handled hunter...this can be arranged!

**SGB** · 03-10-2012, 19:46

Very nice attention to detail.

**Jac** · 03-10-2012, 19:53

I need 1 with para cord for my X-mas box.........

**Phumba** · 03-10-2012, 21:49

Nice work. I went the same route and kitted my workshop out with the herbst grinder and ordered half of KMTS stock. Somehow my knives arent coming out as nice as yours though

. A great hobby though. Just a word of caution though,the hobby gets under youre skin and will consume all your free time.