Hello all. So glad to finally be able to get approved for participation. This is my 3rd time trying so I'm not sure what I was doing wrong but I'm very happy that it worked. I'm a beginner hobbyist in Southern Ontario. I don't have any real metal working background, completely self-taught (what little I've learned so far). To date all I've been doing is stock removal blade out of O-1. I do have the advantage that my wife works at a machine shop that has a heat treat oven so I can do that on my own at least. I just picked up a bunch of 1/8 inch flat stock A-2 that I'm going to try...sort of a "beggars can't be choosers" scenario. I'm looking forward to learning lots more and I hope I don't ask too many stupid questions. Personally, I am 46, married with 4 boys ranging from 17 down to 10 so making knives is also something I like to do for a bit of "quiet" time and something I'm looking forward to sharing with my sons once I know what I'm doing.
Welcome to CKM. I'm glad you were persistent. There's plenty of knowledge on offer here, and, with the exception of our automated anti-spam gatekeeper, we're a friendly bunch.
Welcome I'm a newbie as well. Folks on this site are very helpful. I"d like to Point out dancom, John noon and mythtaken....great guys with a ton of knowledge. If you have any questions or need advise reach out anytime. I'd be happy to share my mistakes in the hope you don't make so many LOL
Share mistakes, lots of learning can be had with them. Sometimes new ideas pop up as well when things go sideways
where about in Souther Ontario are you? I'm from Essex County but now live near Goderich. I'm also 46 but i have no kids. I'm also a beginner. Wow, except for the kids, we have some commonalities. Machine shop eh? Southern Ontario eh? hmmm... <he says tenting his fingers, smiling wryly >
@ToddR Im South of Ingersoll. I'm actually headed your way today for a get together up in Point Clark. The machine shop thing helps but then again, I heat treated 5 rough ground blanks yesterday and my friend just "stuffed them in" the oven, should have angled them because two of them got their tips burnt and bent and one came out like a banana. Guess we can't assume great machinists know what we need for knives But then again, free heat treating and very cheap steel mean I can refrind and shorten up a blade if I need to. Take care.
