go to the hardware store and buy a file go to the flea market and buy an old file proceed to make a knife
when i asked my dad to teach me when i was younger he gave me a good file, a dull file, and a lighter. I had a knife done in 3 days. that was years ago and i still carry that knife from time to time.
Three times a year I "officiate" a Grind In.
This is done at Bark River Knives in the UP.
That's about a 6 hour drive north.
The Grind In is a weekend long introduction to knife-making.
You will learn a stock removal method, starting with a bar, handle materials, corby bolts, edge grinds and sharpening.
It's quite enlightening. I highly suggest it if you want to learn the basics, make something high quality and enjoy a weekend away.
Here's a link to the Bark River Knife Collector's Association site.
Grind-In | The BRKCA
Here's one of the knives I've made recently....
Thanks for all of the advice. I'll read up on the literature posted. I've been doing a little bartering and trading up lately, so I'll use some my profits to fund my small start up. Excited to try this out and I have a brother who has some tools ( lawn and landscape business), so I should be able to use a few of his things to keep from buying as much tools up front. Might be a while due to my schedule, but I'll plan on posting whatever I make no matter how big a turd it could turn out to be. I have high hopes that it'll be decent, though .