You can make your own forged knives. Aside from the fuel, and time, they aren’t that expensive. You can make fuel from charcoal from limbs that have been thrown away.
NO, NO YOU CAN’T. Unless you are trained by a blacksmith, DO NOT attempt to forge your own knives. Steel is worked at temperatures above 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Improper equipment and lack of training could result in fires and serious injuries, possibly requiring hospitalization. Pre-forged knife blanks, handle scales, pins – and even complete kits can be purchased from knife-making supply companies such as Jantz, but you should at least have access to some basic finishing equipment. A more cost-effective solution is to scour flea-markets and rural estate sales for old forged knives to refurbish, just keep clear of the ones that have been sharpened and resharpened almost to slivers!
I have a 30+ year old Ginsu knife that’s still sharp. Doesn’t hurt that it’s made of spring (stainless) steel and has a plastic handle. I’ll probably be able to use it for the rest of my life.
I found that saving up and buying (and learning how to use) a ceramic blade sharpener and a couple of really good forged knives made the best economic sense. They can be sharpened to razor sharpness, last for years and years and keep an edge longer between sharpenings. Ceramic sharpeners aren’t that difficult to learn to use and do a fantastically good job. Just practice a bit on an old cheap knife til you get the sharpening technique down.
JusSayin over 7 years ago
You can make your own forged knives. Aside from the fuel, and time, they aren’t that expensive. You can make fuel from charcoal from limbs that have been thrown away.
ars731 over 7 years ago
oh, and avoid Serrated Blades, they cant ever be sharpen again and are worthless after the spikes break
Strawberry Hellcat: Gair I gall, ffon I’r anghall over 7 years ago
NO, NO YOU CAN’T. Unless you are trained by a blacksmith, DO NOT attempt to forge your own knives. Steel is worked at temperatures above 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Improper equipment and lack of training could result in fires and serious injuries, possibly requiring hospitalization. Pre-forged knife blanks, handle scales, pins – and even complete kits can be purchased from knife-making supply companies such as Jantz, but you should at least have access to some basic finishing equipment. A more cost-effective solution is to scour flea-markets and rural estate sales for old forged knives to refurbish, just keep clear of the ones that have been sharpened and resharpened almost to slivers!
reynard61 over 7 years ago
I have a 30+ year old Ginsu knife that’s still sharp. Doesn’t hurt that it’s made of spring (stainless) steel and has a plastic handle. I’ll probably be able to use it for the rest of my life.
Rista over 7 years ago
I found that saving up and buying (and learning how to use) a ceramic blade sharpener and a couple of really good forged knives made the best economic sense. They can be sharpened to razor sharpness, last for years and years and keep an edge longer between sharpenings. Ceramic sharpeners aren’t that difficult to learn to use and do a fantastically good job. Just practice a bit on an old cheap knife til you get the sharpening technique down.
Robert Nowall Premium Member over 7 years ago
And the amazing thing is that it matters not at all to most people. “It’s got a sharp edge and it cuts.”