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Start Your Build: The 4-Step Process

Building a knife starts with good choices.

If you are new to knife making, the options can be overwhelming. We have broken down the selection process into four simple steps: Steel, Thickness, Profile, and Machining.

Step 1: Choose Your Steel

The “best” steel depends entirely on what you want the knife to do.

🌲 The “Bushcraft Classic” Tier

Best for: Beginners, Camp Knives, Easy Sharpening.

These are high-carbon steels that are easy to grind and simple to heat treat. They will patina (turn grey) with use, which is prized by outdoorsmen.

  • 1095 (CRA): The industry standard. Easy to file and grind.
  • O1 Tool Steel: The most forgiving steel for heat treating at home.
  • 8670M: Extremely tough; resists cracking under abuse.

🚜 The “Workhorse” Tier

Best for: Hard Use, Hunting, Industrial Tools.

These steels trade some ease of sharpening for incredible durability and edge retention.

  • D2 Tool Steel: Semi-stainless with a “toothy” edge that cuts forever.
  • CPM 3V: The “unbreakable” super-tough steel for survival blades.

💎 The “Premium Stainless” Tier

Best for: Kitchen Cutlery, EDC Folders, Marine Environments.

If you need rust resistance and high performance, start here. Note: These usually require a kiln for heat treating.

  • 14C28N: The budget king. Razor sharp and very stainless.
  • CPM S35VN: The gold standard for modern pocket knives.
  • 12C27: High polish potential, perfect for fillet/kitchen knives.

🎨 The “Artisan” Tier (Damascus)

Best for: Show Pieces, Pattern Welding, High Contrast. Materials designed for makers building their own pattern-welded steel or adding decorative liners.

Step 2: Choose Your Thickness

How thick should your spine be?

  • 3/32″ (0.093″): The Slicer. Ideal for kitchen knives, fillet knives, and small bird & trout blades.
  • 1/8″ (0.125″): The Standard. The most versatile size. Perfect for general bushcraft, hunting knives, and EDC fixies.
  • 5/32″ (0.156″): The Tactical. A bit beefier for a robust feel without being a crowbar.
  • 3/16″ (0.187″): The Survivalist. Heavy-duty stock for camp knives that need to baton wood.
  • 1/4″ (0.250″): The Beast. Strictly for large choppers, swords, and axes.

Step 3: Choose Your Profile (Waterjet Cutting)

Don’t waste time with a hacksaw. We cut the shape for you using heat-free waterjet technology.

Option A: Select a Proven Profile

Choose from our library of “Ready-to-Grind” blanks. These are classic shapes (Drop Point Hunter, Chef 8″, Bushcrafter) that are pre-cut and ready for your bevels.

Option B: Upload Your Own Design

Have a custom design? Upload your .DXF file, and we will precision cut your unique shape from the steel you selected in Step 1.

  • Accuracy: +/- 0.005″
  • Heat Affected Zone: Zero (Files will bite immediately).
  • Batch Ready: Perfect for small production runs, hammer-in kits, or club projects.

Step 4: Optional Machining Services

Refine your blank before it ships.

🔹 Precision Surface Grinding

Many steels come with “Mill Scale” (a rough grey texture) or slight warping from the mill.

  • Add “Surface Grinding” to your order, and we will grind your blank flat and parallel to within +/- 0.001″. This saves you hours of sanding and ensures your handle scales fit perfectly gap-free.

🔹 Skeletonizing & Drilling

(Available for Custom DXF Orders)

  • We can pre-cut weight reduction holes (skeletonizing) or rivet holes during the waterjet process, saving you from burning up drill bits later.

Ready to go?

Start building your custom order now.

[ START YOUR BUILD ]

Not sure where to start?

Check out the Knowledge Base. We have compiled heat treat recipes, grinding tips, and material selection guides to help you make the right choice.

[ VISIT THE KNOWLEDGE BASE ]