Are you a DIY kind of mom looking for a new challenging project? Maybe you’re done updating your kitchen cabinets and want to do something profitable. Why not try knife making? This exercise isn’t as difficult as you think, but you can always join forces with your hubby and make it a couple’s project! I’d advise you to join a Bladesmithing school so you learn all you need to know.
If you perfect your craft, it can become more than a simple DIY hobby. You may end up generating extra income from selling homemade knives!
71% of knife makers indicated their sales increased this year compared to last year. How’s that for inspiration?
Today, I’ll outline what equipment you need to get the course started. There are three stages to knife-making; beginner, intermediate and advanced, and they require different kits. I’ll outline the equipment you must buy and how much you can expect to spend.
Let’s get started.
Beginner Level
For the beginner level you’ll need a starter kit which consists of the following items:
- Workbench
- Cutting & shaping grinder
- 1mm angle grinder discs
- Shaping bevels
- Sandpaper & grit
- Drill press for making holes
- Bench vice
- Blade blanks
- 1095 bar stock
To purchase these tools, you’ll need approximately $500. You can find the tools at any knife-making supplier, but I’d advise you to shop around to get the best bargain.
Make sure that you buy quality tools to make the process go much smoother. For instance, high quality sandpaper won’t only make sanding down your knife handle easier, but it’s designed to last three times longer than your average sandpaper. Also, while you’ll find different steel materials to pick, the 1095 bar stock is easier to work with.
Intermediate
As you continue practicing, you’ll eventually move onto the intermediate level to grow your skill. For this level you’ll need:
- The starter kit
- Variable belt speed grinder
- Disc sander
The added tools will make your knife-making process go even quicker. You can expect to pay anything between $2000 and $4000, depending on where you source the additional equipment.
Advanced
As you progress with your craft, you’ll find yourself part of the advanced class. For this level, you’ll need the forging kit which includes the following:
- Starter kit
- Intermediate Kit
- Forge
- Anvil
- Hammers
- Tongs
- Flypress
This level is more than simply making knives. It teaches you heat treating and welding. You won’t have to send your knives elsewhere for treating or welding. Instead, you can do it yourself and create a self-sufficient business. Expect to spend up to $3000 for the kit.
That rounds up the list of equipment you need to perfect your new knife-making skills. Are you willing to learn new skills and make money in the process? Not all projects need to be non-profitable. Do you think that this project is indeed worth pursuing or not? Give it a try and you might be pleasantly surprised.
