Iama 20-year-old blacksmith who makes knives as a sole (meager) income. AMA!

Have you ever picked up a chick by saying "Hey girl are you hot metal? Because I want to bang you repeatedly"?

Instructions unclear, dick now has 3rd degree burns.

Bro you need a website to sell your shit nah mean. You need to diversify yo customers

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CapriciousArms

Would any of these work as a general use chef knife? Also, why is the zombie knife curved, just curious..

Any knife -can- be used for anything. I'd suggest using a chef knife as a chef knife, and a machete as a machete.

What zombie knife?

Is that a weed pipe in your proof photo and if so, do you get baked whilst you make your knives?

I don't partake in any mind-altering substances when I forge.

Edit: [4]

How long does it take to make a knife?

Depends on the knife, and depends on the material. The knife from TF2 took me about 5 hours.

Dang dude, so 40$ an hour - costs....thats not worth it because you are not constantly working. imho if you could charge more and it wouldnt affect your volume too much I think you should charge more like 300~.

My volume is actually quite slack as of late- I'm selling knives from $60 apiece now, but not many people are biting.

As far as costs go, I don't really have many. My materials are mostly recycled or reclaimed. Leaf springs are a hazardous material, so most suspension shops will just give them to me instead of paying someone to remove them. My wood is often salvage. I've upped my prices a bit to reflect the cost of bituminous coal (which I recently became a convert to,) but other than that, there's really not much to cover.

Have you considered a job in the metal working industry? Not sure if you were interested in it, just asking

I've considered it, but I don't live in an area where that's really much of a possibility. I worked with an architectural metalsmith for a while, and that was all well and good, but he just kinda stopped calling me, and I've been on my own since.

Well best of luck man you work is really cool, and thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, it was interesting! :)

Thank you very much!

Where are your knives for sale? Got a website?

Http://Etsy.com/shop/CapriciousArms

Are you happy?

That's a very good question. I'm content. I've got a roof, a forge, a customer base, and a warm girlfriend. Yes, I am happy.

What is the most expensive knife you have ever sold?

Just a couple of days ago, I sold the kukri in the album for $200. This is the most expensive single piece I have ever sold. I don't really have a lot of overhead or expenses (20 years old, lucky enough to have family that gives me a roof over my head for very little in return) to worry about, so I don't charge as much as a lot of other custom makers.

Edit - found my answer further down. $200 for 5 hours, not bad! How many hours did you put into the knife? Looks fantastic by the way - wouldn't mind one for myself as I'm going travelling to Oz in the new year!

Well, best of luck on your journey! Let me know if you need a proper tool.

Thanks for the reply!

No problem! I've got a lot of coffee.

Do you like "living on the edge"

There's always gotta be that one guy with the edgy puns...

Yup. But seriously isn't it hard doing what you do? There could be days where you may make no money or days you strike if rich.

Yeah, but the job market here is so terrible, I'd be broke either way. This way, I can cover the little rent my family charges me, while building up a customer base (Like I'm doing right now!) that may one day lead to steady work. As it is, I've sold more product in the last 4 days than I usually do in two months (Thank you all!) and that should at least help me finance my move to Chico.

Do you use old circular saw blades as stock?

Haven't had the opportunity yet, cause I can't find any lumber mills in Southern California. I mostly use leaf springs.

Have you ever tried making kitchen knives (deba, herb knives, boning, chefs knives) ? How important is balance in your process?

I've made a few, mostly for family members. High-carbon steel isn't really all that sanitary, and neither are wood handles. While I don't personally care about those things (as I COOK my food,) I prefer to leave kitchen knives to better smiths and companies like Cutco, who can do a better job making a kitchen knife than I can.

Balance is one of the most important things in forging knives. Everything is a balancing act- when you're shaping steel, you have to hammer it in all directions so the carbon gets properly aligned. I forge my tips from square, so I have to angle the hammer blows a certain way that they extend the tip without forsaking mass in the belly. There are a thousand variables a blacksmith will subconsciously take into consideration when he forges.

What materials do you craft the knives from? I have a handmade diving knife with glazed cherry as the handle and its simply beautiful

I typically use leaf spring and mahogany, because both of those materials have been free for me, so far. I found an old mahogany fireplace mantle in a condemned house, and borrowed a buddy's table saw to rip it into handle-sized chunks. Running out, though.... I'd like to open up my handle material diversity, but I'd have to add another $20 or so to the final price of every knife, and I want to keep things affordable. The knives I forge are tools, not accessories.

Is there just no market for them or just a case of what you prefer to make?

The market is very saturated with cheap stainless-steel knives. Some people would prefer to spend $20 on a knife from Walmart or Amazon every year than $80 on a knife that will transcend lifetimes. Buy once, cry once. I suppose it's a case of what I prefer to make. Gotta have professional standards and maker's pride, and all that.

Sounds about right, thank you so much for doing this AMA!

Think nothing of it. It's just a lonely Sunday made not-so-lonely by a community of comfortable strangers!

Please use more Jarrah in your builds. Also how did you manage to come across it in the USA?

P.S. You're RES-tagged as Blademaster.

I found the jarrah at an exotic wood supplier. Fifteen dollars for a piece that was half a meter long by 16 centimeters deep by thirty wide.

Also, I'm flattered!

[deleted]

That's a little bit subjective but I make it a point to be able to shave with each of my knives unless somebody wants a prop or display piece. The straight razors I've made could cleanly and easily cut through wet toilet paper.

I feel like you could do alright/make more money doing straight razors and selling them through r/Shave_Bazaar. Anyways, do you have any pictures of the straight razors you've made? I saw none are for sale right now on etsy.

Unfortunately, I've only made two, and I never got pictures of the first one.

How do you market your products?

Primarily through Etsy and Facebook, but my best customers have always been friends of prior customers. Word of mouth is a far more powerful marketing tool than an annoying Google ad.

I'm 18 and love bladed weapons. I've trained with them for a few years and after seeing the Ulfbert+ documentary, I decided to run with my long coming dream of becoming a blacksmith(just part time). I have a few questions. 1: how should I go about building my own furnace I'm my back yard? 2: what kind of literature should I pick up to get started? 3: obviously I'll need an anvil, hammers, tongs and such. What brands should I get? 4: anything else you could give me as pointers to start out.

There aren't any blacksmiths in my area so I'd be on my own. Thanks mate!

1: http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/23364/Air-Tank-Forge-Build-Along

2: Read everything you can in the tutorials section of that website, and Tai Goo's stuff (google it) is also invaluable to read.

3: Whatever you can find. I don't know much about anvils, since mine is just a piece of railroad track, but if you can find a Peter Wright, jump on it. I made my tongs, and I've even forged a few of my own hammers! My favorite is an 8-pound sledge that I cut up into a cross-peen hammer. I started with a 2-pound Blacksmith's hammer, and I still use that one every day.

4: You know nothing about the intricacies of knives, no matter how many you've held, until you've made your first few dozen. Learn. Knife. Anatomy. I cannot stress this enough, because tips and instructions given to you by other knife makers (I recommend joining Paleoplanet or Knifedogs) are a lot easier to understand when you know what a choil, subhilt, plunge, and fuller are.

You're welcome! I'd better read about your accomplishments as a knife maker in the next couple years.

how difficult is it to make a straight razor?

No more difficult than anything else. I made a really good looking one out of a file, once. https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1376577_688901851120003_439768441_n.jpg

Would it be at all possible for me to order a knife like the TF2 one you made?

Sure, though I'd like to stress that I'd be making a TF2 inspired kukri, because Valve has better lawyers than I do.

So how much one of these cost?

I sold the previous one for $200+shipping.

Wow I don't think I will be able to afford that for a while for at least 2 months.

Sounds like I've got enough time to do it right, then!

As a younger guy I worked with a blacksmith. For me this was about 35 years ago. At the time his guy was in his late 50s. He talked about being an apprentice and having to set up and fire a coke fired furnace. If you are carrying on this tradition at all. Well good for you. The proper hardening of steel is an amazing skill.

I use coal regularly, having just stepped up from homemade charcoal.

How loud is the process of making a knife? I just imagine tons of loud bangs constantly for hours.....

Very loud. The banging isn't the worst part, it's the grinding sound. Not to mention all the smells and bad tastes you get in your mouth... The pounding quickly begins to tune out.

Do you wear hearing protection? I work with a lot of talented young fabricators, but not one of them is smart enough to use the fucking hearing protection that I provide them with not only because it's the law, but because nobody's hearing is worth a paycheck?

Nope, but I did when I was doing architectural fab with a local metalsmith.

gday. Have a suggestion for you regarding wood supply. I have a hardwood flooring supply and install place nearby to me. They always have off cuts that they chuck. I go there with a 4 gallon bucket and offer them $10 for a bucket of off cuts. give it a try. ask them a fair price. You often help them by taking away trash as it were. You can get some amazing woods. I've gotten Oaks, Jarrah, Cyprus and once even some ebony.

Thanks a ton, pal! I'll do that!

can you make this?

I don't make butterfly knives as a general rule because they're illegal in my state.

Would you consider making your eternal reward or the big earner?

I can forge the Eternal Reward, but I don't make any knives with moving parts, IE switchblades. If you wanted, you could buy one at the flea market for eight bucks, take it apart, ship me just the blade, and I could forge you an identical one out of a superior steel for, say, thirty bucks.

Are you circumcised?

Halfway.

[deleted]

Surgeon was, ironically, also at a [7].

The weirdest shape of knife you have ever made? Do you experiment with the shape often?

The weirdest shape? I don't really get asked to make a lot of 'art' knives, so I can't really comment. Somebody asked me to make a Rumplestiltskin knife once, and that one's really curvy and sinuous, so I wish I'd gotten a picture to show you.

My dad loves collecting knives, so we have some very interesting knives in our house. Also OP, you only make knives on request?

No, I have a supply of knives I make in my spare time. Those can be found on my shop's facebook, https://www.facebook.com/CapriciousArms

How much do you make off of blacksmithing?

Not enough.

Who makes the best knives in the world? or who is the best knifesmith kicking around? Is it easy to make a knife to suit a persons preference? What is the procedure for making a knife from scratch? Do you make kitchen knives or more hunting/display knives? Thanks for the AMA

The best knives in the world are made by men. I haven't handled many of them, but my research points to Murray Carter (who has a presence on Reddit,) John Hounslow-Robinson (A gentleman living a lifestyle I envy in Tasmania,) Tony Swatton (Who has done an AMA) though several other worthy smiths deserve to have their names dropped, I don't really feel comfortable divulging their information.

Making a knife is never an easy task, and most customers have no idea what they're doing when they design a knife. If they insist, it's my job to take their money and make them a razor-sharp turd.

The procedure for making a knife is a long one. The TL;DR version is get metal, cut it to a workable size, get it hot, beat it for hours, let it cool, grind it, get it hot again, normalize (about 45 minutes of letting it get hot and dead cold,) heat it up again, then quench it in oil. The final fit and finish is a pain in the ass, because then you've got to attach the handle, grind off all the oxidised metal, pin the wood to the handle without cracking it, contour, sand, oil, and THEN I have to sell the durned thing, which can be the hardest step of all.

I make tools, and tools suit a purpose. I've made kitchen knives, I've made hunting knives, machetes, brush-clearing tools, a scythe, and even a couple of swords for competition-cutting. I don't typically make display knives unless they're props for a local theater, which I make out of mild steel or aluminum.

You're welcome, thanks for the questions!

Made any Kirpans? Also nice work! I really like how refined your work is

I haven't made a Kirpan yet, but I'd be honored if anybody came up and asked me to forge an Article of Faith.

How much would you charge me if I wanted to buy a small knife?

I charge $15 per inch of bladelength, plus shipping. If the materials are recycled (they usually are,) then I don't charge for handle materials.

What about the ones on your facebook page?

That depends which ones you're talking about. Most of the ones on that page have been sold, but I can makes similar blades easily. For a current list of what I have in stock, my Etsy account can be found here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CapriciousArms

How much would the one in the proof picture be?

$75+shipping on Etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/166358094/handmade-forged-blacksmith-bush-knife?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=forged+blacksmith+bush+knife&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_vintage_rewrite=handmade+forged+blacksmith+bush+knife&ga_original_query=2&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmadeforged+blacksmith+bush+knife

Do you know of anyone who works in more exotic materials, such as obsidian?

Sorry, not I.

On average, how many knives do you make per day? Also, how do you get orders from individuals or companies?

Usually one or two, if I'm feeling good. Orders usually come through facebook or Etsy, though plenty of people have approached me directly through old customers' word of mouth.

[deleted]

A belt? Do you mean a strop?

Yes, a strop. Is that the best way?

Nope! A strop is what you use to get a knife that's already hair-cutting sharp, sharper. First, use a stone. Rough grit, medium grit, high grit. Sharpen with the bevel, not along the edge, ten good swipes per side. On the medium and high grit, always 'strop' the edge by dragging it backwards across the stone, like demonstrated in this Murray Carter video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozZF2EgnYm0

Have you considered taking an apprenticeship at a blacksmith/ armorer somewhere?

As you said before the utility-centered blade market is pretty saturated by corporations but more artistic replicas and props are frequently in demand for commission. Have you thought about moving into this type of field or what are your plans for the future of your work?

Thanks for doing this ama, I've become pretty interested in blacksmithing after watching man-at-arms on youtube. Also, scrap yards and craigslist are great ways to find free materials if you're ever up for an adventure.

I live in Southern California. Not a lot of opportunities for blacksmithing down here, which is why I had to teach myself. Tony Swatton et all are quite swamped with requests for apprenticeship, so I've taken up the mantle of both teacher and student.

For the record, I make most of my knives from scrap or junk already :P

What do you think of the Japanese range of "Global" knives?

I don't understand.

These knives...

I'm not really much of a kitchen knife afficianado, but Cutco brainwashed me into saying that every kitchen knife that isn't Cutco-brand sucks. With that being said, my uncle owns a set of the G-series (the ones with the holes) and it was impossible to cut bread with the serrated one.

Do you ship to Canada?

I could be persuaded to do so. What sort of knife do you want, what will you use it for? And of course, can you pay American?

It's not something that I want necessarily now. I am an avid hiker/camper so a utility knife is IMMENSELY handy. Plus, hand forged blades are always the best. So it's more for future reference. And I can pay American.

Thanks for the quick reply, I am seriously impressed by your skill.

I'm flattered. There are a few up for sale on my Etsy account, and I'm cranking out more and more all the time. Utility/camp knives are my specialty.

Do you know why old/medieval lethal bladed weapons had the slit down the middle, how does it make it lethal?

Thanks

I'm referring to something like the depression in the middle of This

The fuller, as it's called, was actually used to lighten the blade. Sure, you hear rumours about the groove being added to lessen the vacuum that occurs when a blade is thrust into flesh, but it's all a crock. I promise you, knives are plenty lethal with or without one.

Ah, ok, thanks!

Another question, how is it that you hear that people survive 10+ woulds with a kitchen knife, but combat knives are so lethal?

I would attribute the 10+ wound survival to shoddy technique on the assailant's part. Any knife can be lethal, if you hit somebody in a major organ or sever an artery.

[deleted]

Learn metallurgy. My best advice to you is never to buy anything that says "440" or "4140" anywhere. It's all crap.

Care and sharpening: Don't use one knife for -everything,- and sharpen with a stone every few days. It's better to preemptively sharpen than it is to try to sharpen out a nick or a roll.

have you ever read Johnny Tremain?

Maybe once in primary school. Wasn't he a silversmith, though?

do you have a website that i can buy knives off of?

http://www.Etsy.com/shop/CapriciousArms

Would you consider doing one of the spy's knives?

Butterfly knives are both illegal in my state, and I don't have the means to make a good one. IE: a drill press.

would you consider making this or this

I'd make the Eternal Reward, but I don't have the capability to practically assemble a switchblade, and those are illegal here in California. I could theoretically forge a blade for a premade stiletto and switch them out....

How much would a chefs knife cost?

$15 per inch of cutting edge.

beautiful looking knives. you should make smaller knives for gutting animals. i would definitely be a customer. do you have a facebook for your knives?

http://facebook.com/CapriciousArms

I liked it. when i get some money in i will definitely contact you. thanks

Thank you!

After the AMA popped up, I ordered a machete from you. It came in today and great googly moogly it's awesome. You rock!

I'm pleased to hear it's every bit as epic as you hoped! Thank you so much for your business. I'll have to buy some gold...

Would you be up to making a Uruk-hai scimitar to order http://www.warriorsandwonders.com/images/UC1309.jpg I know there up for $150, but id like one done personally If you are then please PM me if not how hard would you say it is to make one. Thanks

I charge fifteen dollars per inch of blade length.

So thats a no?

I could make it, but it would be quite costly.

How do I buy one?

Contact me on Etsy, where you can either buy one of mine or design a custom.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CapriciousArms

I've been in the knifegame for a long time. Judging by your work, you pretty good potential, especially at the age of 20. Have you considered doing mods for productions or "pimp"-ings ?

No idea what that's about. Could you enlighten me? Also, thank you!

Like for example, taking a production knife and making it into your own. Something along the lines of making custom handles, grinds, anything.

Egh, I'm not really a fan of doing that sort of thing. I don't like working with stainless, because it leaves an unclean feeling (To my finely-attuned seventh sense) and... Yeah. Also, handles aren't quite my forte, so I don't really know what I could offer. I don't engrave, I can't mill, I don't even have a drill press. I do, however, re-grind a few knives per week in the neighborhood as a favor in exchange for the fruits and veggies some neighbors grow. Every now and then I'll do a custom-etched patina with ferric chloride, and occasionally I'll polish something up.

Do you know how to do mirror polish/finishes? If you have the supplies, you could also make money from anodizing.

I don't have a buffing wheel, ergo no mirrors. No anodizing tanks, either...

Hahaha well, maybe those are some goals to achieve once you make a name for yourself. In the meantime, what you make are good products for the money, really. Etsy's not a bad place to sell but check out forums as well! Keep going dude. I believe.

Thank you!

Have you ever wanted to make something crazy like a fantasy-style sword just for the sake of seeing if you could do it?

That's pretty much how the TF2 project came about!

I dare ya!

Sorry, ain't got the materials to waste or enough room in my forge!

awww. Do you use the forge for stuff other than knives? Do you just sell the knives commercially?

I also make tools and fixtures. I don't sell anything commercially, per se...

I love the look of the trapper knife in your store! Would you ever consider offering customs sheaths to go with your knives?

Ever experimented with blueing knives for rustproofing and looks?

Also, do you consider requests? I have an alteration of a knife design in my head, but it's a little out there. Wouldn't be hard to forge, but the finishing would require milling/hard soldering.

I'm not a sheath maker, so I don't invest in the tools or materials. A good machine for sewing leather (I can't do it by hand,) costs upwards of $500.

I often leave the oxidized 'forge finish' on my knives, which does a better job rustproofing than bluing solution.

I take many requests, yours would be ready within a week. I can't mill or solder, but I think you may be underestimating the capabilities of a determined blacksmith. Let's see what you've got in mind!

Let me whip up a sketch for you, and I will get back to you. To give you an idea of what it roughly would be. A stout, thick dagger with a 9 or 10'' straight blade. Thick in the middle and easing out to a sharp edge on both sides of the blade. Rectangular guard, but ground down on its far edges, with a simple round pommel.

Obviously it's all up to your vision as a blacksmith as well, the key thing for me is really the way the blade is shaped, with relation to its guard.

Sounds easy enough! I'm down. I do, however, charge $15 per inch of blade length, so take that into consideration.

Do you ever make pocket knives? If so, what are the specs on them? I would love a hand made pocket knife . . .

Sorry, I can't make that sort of precision-centric alignment without a drill press.

[deleted]

Sorry, I'm not a collector. The fellows here can help you out: http://www.bladeforums.com

You need to make a better website that explains your situation. Not a pity-me type thing, but the fact that you make hand-made quality knives that are meant to be used. Not just showcased. And adding personal detail to each knife description will entice more people into buying them. I'd be interested, but my question is how do hand forged blades hold up against a knife from bench made?

Grain structure is important in a knife- it's not uncommon for the typical 440 cheapo to break along the grain within because company standards don't forge their tips in from square. By compressing and de-stressing the grain structures like I do, the grain of the carbon flows parallel to the edge, and makes a stronger blade.

That makes sense. Why is starting from a square important?

I start from square because the grain flows terminally toward the tip in such a way that the grain along the spine converges with that of the grain along the edge, coming to a point at the molecular level.

Do you do commissions? Having a custom built knife would be awesome, although I don't know what I'd want. I just want to know that the option is there :P

I take commissions.