Description

A Treasury of Knifemaking Wisdom

As soon as Jason Fry decided he wanted to be a knifemaker, he quickly realized there were two facets to learning the craft: Let experience be his teacher but, just as importantly, heed the advice of the countless makers who contribute to the excellence of the custom knife industry.

Knifemaking Hacks is a blend of what the author has learned in 13 years of turning steel into custom creations and words of wisdom from some of the world’s finest artisans. The tips inside are valuable and insightful, with occasional bits of just the right dose of humor. Whether you’re a seasoned knifemaker or just getting started, this collection is sure to fuel you with fresh inspiration for your next project.

Jason Fry is a voting member of the Knifemakers’ Guild and President of the Texas Knifemakers’ Guild, an educational nonprofit with 300 members. Working nights and weekends in his backyard shop, Fry forges his own Damascus and builds knives by both forging and stock removal. He, his wife and four boys reside outside of Lubbock, Texas.

Here are a few examples of what you’ll find inside:

• Harvey Dean said the tool that made the biggest difference in his work was a riding lawnmower. If you can find faster ways to get the chores done, you’ll have more time to make knives.
• If you want to quench steel in water or brine, even with “water hardening” steels like W2, you should expect to break some blades. Water and brine cool very quickly, but also inconsistently. You’re better off with engineered quench oil.
• Steel is the cheapest part of your knife. Labor is the most expensive part. If you get “free” steel and it fails, you’ve wasted your labor to save a small percentage.

Whether you’re a seasoned knifemaker or just getting started, this collection is sure to fuel you with fresh inspiration the next time you make knives.