Making a Edc Fixed Blade Knife

I constantly get asked how I make my knives so I thought I would make a detailed 2 part series of what goes into it. Make sure to check out my youtube video for a more detailed representation. While this is pretty tool intensive you are able to substitute these with basic hand tools.

Heres a list of tools that went into this project,

Belt Sander

Drill Press

Clamps

Vise

Sandpaper

Angle Grinder

Dremel

Knife steel

handle material (wood, resin Etc.)

Pin

Glue

After drawing out a design I liked on a piece of steel I cut out the shape with an angle grinder. Using a belt sander to grind closer to the desired shape that I want. To get into the tighter curves I use a dremel with a drum sanding attachment.

This is the part of the process that actually makes the knife sharp. I start by grinding and "sharpening" the knife at a 45-degree angle. I then apply pressure underneath this initial grind slowly moving the grind up the blade creating a more gradual handle. I use a belt sander although you could substitute by using a file.

After I beveled the knife I used my drill press to bore holes in desired locations. Using a center punch to prevent the bit from walking. I sent this blade out for heat because I don't have an oven to reach the temperatures that 52100 needs to be hardened. It's important to remember to remove the bulk of material BEFORE heat treat. after heat-treat, files and hand tools won't have an effect on the hardened steel. Powertools and sandpaper are the only ways to finish the blade after heat treat.

After I received the blade back from heat treat I had to remove all the soot and prepare for gluing the handle on. I don't like doing blade finish work after the handle is attached. I take the blade to a 400 grit finish all the way around on the belt sander and with sanding drums. I wanted a bead blast finish so Chris Zep from Make Everything Shop was nice enough to let me use his bead blaster. This step is not necessary but I like the bead blast finish.

I chose the handle material I liked, epoxy resin scales. These are resin sales with embedded with aluminum honeycomb. After I taped the scales together I used the blade as a template to locate the holes and drilled through with my drill press. After drilling in finish the fronts if the scales. I do this because it is impossible to sand/ polish this with the blade in the way. I use 2 part epoxy to glue the scales to the tang and use carbon fiber pin through the holes to strengthen the handle. Clamp and wait for the epoxy to set.

After the glue has dried I ground the handle material flush to the spine of the knife. I then Bevel the handle material to take off the bulk of the material. Then using the slack of the belt sander I smooth over the angles I just ground into the handle. I finish off the belt sander at 220 grit. Then I move onto hand sanding. starting with 220 grit paper and moving all the way up to 1000-2000 grit. Then using polishing compound buffing the resin out making it shiny.

Lastly I use the flat platten on the belt sander to put a final edge on the knife. And she's done!

I want to thank you all for sticking along and if you have any questions be sure to ask!

Please check out my Youtube and Instagram to see more of what I do!

Instagram @bitterbladeco

Youtube Bitter Blade Co.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMNOOV5ytTH1aCVlvEbVgJw?view_as=subscriber