How to Make a Hunting Knife

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Making a homemade knife can be easy and rewarding.
Making a homemade knife can be easy and rewarding.
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This diagram outlines materials and the anatomy of a hunting knife.
This diagram outlines materials and the anatomy of a hunting knife.
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Caution: If you turn the point or edge of the blade into the belt while grinding, the wheel will catch it, doing damage to the belt, the blade and possibly your hands.
Caution: If you turn the point or edge of the blade into the belt while grinding, the wheel will catch it, doing damage to the belt, the blade and possibly your hands.
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Finally, clamp everything together once for practice. Then (following the instructions on the containers of cement) mix your epoxy, apply the adhesive to both sides of the metal shank and the insides of the handle slabs, form the three elements into a
Finally, clamp everything together once for practice. Then (following the instructions on the containers of cement) mix your epoxy, apply the adhesive to both sides of the metal shank and the insides of the handle slabs, form the three elements into a "sandwich," and rivet them together.
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This diagram showcases how to grind each side of the knife and an cutaway view of an electric kiln.
This diagram showcases how to grind each side of the knife and an cutaway view of an electric kiln.
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This image shows the rivets, rivet holes and slab handles for knife making.
This image shows the rivets, rivet holes and slab handles for knife making.

Making a hunting knife can be easy if you know what you’re doing. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll be on your way.

Select the Steel for Your Homemade Hunting Knife

Since used saw blades, whether crosscut, buzz or hand, are fairly consistent metallurgically, come in a variety of ideal sizes and thicknesses, and are very easy to obtain, I suggest that you tap this wonderful source of steel (especially if you’re a beginner) for any knives you want to make in your own home workshop.

I use carbon saw-blade stock, which I scrounge from lumber mills and scrap yards. These blades are made from top quality carbon steel and are ideal for knifemaking.

The perfect knife blade should be hard so that it won’t become dented and scratched, tough enough so it won’t bend or break, and wear-resistant enough to hold a good edge. (If the blade is too hard and too wear resistant, of course, it’ll be difficult to sharpen. Use some judgment.) The perfect blade should also be made of stainless steel so it won’t darken or rust.  

  • Published on Jul 1, 1978
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