My first folder and fourth knife | folders | Forum

Lynn Gledhill;15327 wrote: Hey Tanner, glad to have you!!! The title does say it all!!:mask: Tough love here... What do I think??? Get Wayne Goddard's books; "the $50 knife shop" and " the wonder of knifemaking..." As I heard Wayne say one night, "Don't try making a folder until you have learned how to make a knife." Just keep practicing... I once started a thread about how to make the gorgeous leaves that David Hyde had made... As Larry L. replied... Go out to the shop today and make 10 leaves... Next day make 10 leaves... etc, and etc. After a couple of weeks, maybe I might be able to make a gorgeous leaf. There is lot's of info on knife making in the bladesmith forum... Be sure to get to one of the conferences where you can talk to and learn from Professional knife makers such as Tom Ferry, Dave Lisch and others.

I have not read, "The Wonder of Knifemaking", but I have read, "The $50 Knife Shop", which Craig let me borrow. I'll be sure to just keep practicing. 🙂 Also, I checked out your leaves and they look really nice and the plant hanger idea is quite good too!

Lynn Gledhill;15343 wrote: Thanks Tanner: Just keep going... Keep learning and practicing and one day not too far away, you can be an accomplished knife maker... You did a reasonably good job on the case, or body, hard to tell from a photo. I don't know what the housing on a folder is called, but the knife blade needs some work... How are you grinding??? Do you have a belt grinder or maybe a double ended disc sander??? Both of these tools really help in grinding even tapers on both sides of the knife.
Where are you located??? You may be able to find a knife makers club near you. Locally, in Eugene, the 5160 club meets each month... The club president is the world renowned Wayne Goddard... Wow, to have a guy like this giving his time and knowledge for free for rookies like me??? Wow.

Right now, I have an angle grinder, files, and a disk sander. The disk sander has too little power to do much other than get things flat and sharpen them. I'm in hawaii right now but I am going to visit Lebanon, Missouri in a month. I met two blacksmiths here who have really helped me out but I want to make knives good enough to sell so I can make money to purchase equipment. Also, I think it's amazing that Wayne Goddard teaches the club you are in. I like the name too!