Customer Reviews

Blade's Guide to Making Knives

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are new to knife making and want to make your first knife you are better off buying either the $50 Knife Shop by Wayne Goddard or Custom Knifemaking - 10 Projects from a master craftsman by Tim McCreight (both of which I own) or, if you can get an edition with clear photos How to Make Knives by Richard Barney and Bob Loveless.
If you have some experience you will find some useful tips that may help you.
In 6 of the 7 sections of Blades Guide the editor has assumed a fairly high degree of knowledge, skill and expensive equipment for the projects that it overviews. I say overviews as I do not think a novice could use any of the sections except one (and I will come to that one later) as a manual to successfully complete the projects descibed. The projects are the construction of a tactical folder, the construction of a simple hunting knife, creation of pattern welded damascus, elementary sword smithing, installation of fancy screw fixed bolsters, forging a damascus tomahawk and blade grinding on a belt grinder.
While the sections are well illustrated with colour photos and the text is easy to follow, the only section that a novice could use is Wayne Goddard's section on the creation of a simple hunting knife and even then large bits of this text and photos are lifted straight from the $50 Knife Shop. The book does not have any real commentary on knife format and design, steel descriptions, classification and choosing the best steel for the job or sheathmaking or sharpening.

I'm a want-to-be bladesmith hungry for information. This book is a great overview for making all types of blades including but not limited to a folder, a basic fixed blade, a sword and a hawk. It shows tools, metals and techniques for making blades using a well thought out format and a beautiful layout. I had to buy it because the library got tired of me borrowing it.

The pictures are B & W, and aren't even particularly good B & W. David Boye's book is better and more detailed, as are several others. I know Loveless is a legend as a knife maker, but that doesn't have any impact on his written work. OK to buy as a historical document but there are better first books if you want to learn to be a knife maker.

This book is OUTSTANDING ! Of course anything that Blade mag publishes is gonna be outstanding !

Different methods from different makers. A good compilation. I bought mine used, but it would have been worth it, at full/new price. A good book, for the wanna-be knife maker. Add this one to your library.