Materials for knife

I was planning on making a knife or more like learning how to and was wondering what materials are needed to get started.

Z2K, are looking to forge a knife, grind a knife or put handles on a blade blank?

well, the first thing i would suggest is do a lot of research on the process. use the google fu & this forum has some amazing knife makers who would be more than willing to answer any questions when ya get started. after researching the whole process, if you want quick & easy, get a knife kit from online someplace & finish it up. if you want to get into making it entirely yourself, get some decent steel (i suggest a good carbon steel) a file or 2, some sandpaper, & go to town. from there you can decide to heat treat yourself, or send it to somebody else to do for you if you're not ready for that leap. i'm actually in the process of making a few knives myself & have gotten some great info from here. mistakes can/will happen, just don't get discouraged & keep at it. by the way ........ WE LOVE PICS!!!

I'm looking to forge if everything turns out well.

What kinda files do you need?

i would say at the very least a good nicholson file: mill, bastard cut, 10" long at the least. you can use it for stock removal & adding the bevels by hand. if you want more, can add some finer files to clean things up, maybe a round file, or half round file for curves.

btw, sent you a PM

A vice or a way to clamp the blade in place.

HA! yeah, can't believe i forgot that part, thanks Aven.

itsken78 It's easy to forget. It's like a bench, we kinda assume that it will be there.

Z2K clamping you knife can be as simple as screwing it down through the bolt holes to the edge of your bench. You'll wear you bench out if you do it a lot, but it will work for the first few knives.

also you might want to get a copy of the 50 dallor knife shop that book helped me alot