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Logan-Pearce — Tutorial. Step 2: Profiling
Published: 2011-09-26 18:46:38 +0000 UTC; Views: 5255; Favourites: 18; Downloads: 39
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Previous Step: [link]Step 2: Profiling the Blade.
Profiling is just shaping the knife to the design you want. Whether is it by file, hand saw, band saw, chop saw, grinder, forging, etc. As long as you are trying to get the metal to look like the design you have drawn or have in mind, you are profiling it.
The bar of metal I am using is 12" long. So first thing we have to do is cut it as close to the end of the design as possible. The first two pictures show that and the hacksaw that I used to cut it.
The lower two pictures that are side by side are showing the next part. Note the two notches that have been circled in red. I use a triangle file and notch out where I'm going to be putting the saw, this keeps my saw from slipping and makes the starting cuts easier.
If I'm using a saw I usually make a small dotted line just outside of the outline of the knife I have on the metal. Then I go back with a file and file away that small amount of metal.
The cuts for the knife blade are going to be at an angle. In the picture to the left on the very bottom, the metal is tilted in the vise. I usually do this that way I am cutting straight down, instead of trying to cut at an angle. Once I saw off the piece around the bottom of the blade, I'll reposition the bar to do the same to the back of the blade.
You could always just use a file and file it all the way down, but that would be even more work than using a hand saw, depending on which is sharper.
If you don't have a hand saw and your file sucks, then you can use the same method I will be using to do the handle in the second part of Profiling.
Next Step: [link]
Logan Pearce
www.pearceknives.com
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Comments: 11
Thanks for puttting these up! I'm trying to make a knife for an art project, and I came across your knives through daily deviation. This will be very helpful!
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No problem at all. I'm glad to help. ^.^
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I never would have imagined you'd use a hacksaw for something like this, thats rather impressive to me, as I am generally really dangerous with a hacksaw... but I think thats only because I need a proper vice.... course I would probably still be dangerous.
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It's a dangerous tool. 
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Upon seeing your new pictures I was feeling inspired and I decided to go ahead and charge on with a jewelry idea, But I needed to cut through some very small copper pipe, and, no vice means I was holding it, I sliced my middle finger TWICE with the saw! Once was not that bad, little bloody no biggie, but the second time was NOT FUN I SAY!!! Stop inspiring me to be dangerous!
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OMG! Get some clamps! Like C-claps from walmart. There's a guy that makes knives and all he uses is two C-claps with a board to hold it to the table and a file. Weird, I know, but C-claps and a table make for a quick vise.
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I have a C-clamp... well my dad does, its all his tools I'm using, anyway- I was trying to set up a makeshift table and vice last week, but it just wasnt working so I chose to use my hand. It was faster AND I didnt mar the metal as badly as when I did use the vice... go figure. And my finger feels fine now... freakishly deep cut, but its not bleeding anymore.
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may be a stupid question but, why not cut with a angle grinder? and then use a bench grinder to shape?
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I'm showing the most primitive way to make a knife without the use of electricity. Basically a bare boned tutorial. If we were going with electricity, a band saw would be the fastest way, if it were a good one. A 2x72" grinder/buffer would do the whole job as well, if we were using electric tools. Not everyone can afford the tools that are needed to make knives easily. This tutorial is for the ones that only plan on making a few or are wanting to test the waters of knifemaking without putting a lot of money into it. That's why I've focused it around non-electric tools and items you can get at any hardware store. That way it's just your time and labor, not a whole lot of money.
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i see, i wondered if it was more to do with heat.....i have no idea about this sort of thing really, i look forward to the rest of the tutorial...
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Oh no. You can use any tool you want to get the outline cut out. Even a torch if you wanted. Anything above using this is great and smart. I have seen some people that prefer to use a hacksaw rather than electric tools.
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