I'm looking to use some hardwood from my property to make a handle for a new knife. I've never bought a blank before. Only replaced handles on blades I already had around. Where is a good place to purchase a blank?

This would be my skinning/gutting knife.

I'm also ignorant on materials. Carbon steel, stainless steel, Damascus steel? Whatever is durable and holds a decent edge.

I'd appreciate any advice you have!

Jantz Supply in Oklahoma is a good place to get blanks. They have good steels and a pretty decent selection of styles. Steel choice is just a personal preference... I would suggest just a carbon or stainless steel and not damascus for what you're wanting. Carbon steel (most damascus is made from carbon) will rust so ya have to keep it dry, clean and oiled after use, where stainless is a lot more forgiving on not rusting. Carbon is easier to sharpen in my experience though.

Perfect. Thank you for the advice, I'll look into Jantz.

Jantz are great people, and super fast shipping

https://knifemaking.com/collections/knife-blades-and-kits

Done deal. I ordered a couple. Thanks for the suggestion!

Also used to be a Texas Knifemakers Supply south of here
Houston I'm thinking , and Crazy Crow Trading Post up by
the red river somewhere. Not sure if either place is still open.
Been a good while since I ordered anything.
Jantz used to make the rounds of the gun shows, and that
was the opportunity to hand pick any handle materials I wanted
Haven't been to a gun show in years either, so I don't know if
that's still a thing
Good Luck

https://www.texasknife.com/


ya!

GWB

Absolutely! One of the guys that cuts out the blanks and grinds them at Jantz is a former student/athlete of mine and he's a good man! (I'm assuming he still does it, he's been with them for a while!)

Post a pic up when ya get em done!

I once did all my own forging. Then I discovered Jantz and their high carbon blades. I sold my forge but kept my hammers.

Now, I’m a handle maker and “puter oner” . Their high carbon blades take a lot better edge than stainless does.

I still sometimes grind out a blade from steel but it’s always a high carbon piece with craft wood and brass rod for pins.

Thanks again y’all. Let me clarify because I used the term “blank” incorrectly. I order a few blades and I’ll just add the handles. I’m very much a novice. Eventually I’d love to forge and shape by own blades, but I figure this is a good starting point.

I’ll surely post pics when they’re complete. I’m sure they’ll be very “rustic”. Doing a 5.25” buffalo skinner and a 3.5” drop point.

just fer giggles n' grins.

https://www.crazycrow.com/green-river-blades

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/453/1



mainly takes time and imagination.



and the following were all "blanks" hafted by a friend.......



EDC blank hafted with Cocobolo



Carbon Fiber, Stag and Cocobolo









ya!

GWB

Yall know of any knife material suppliers in san antonio?

My very personal thoughts: There are cutting knives and “looking at” knives. It’s all about the difference in stainless and high carbon steel.

Which would be the cutting knife? High carbon? Both categories can get pretty darn sharp..

High carbon both takes and holds a better edge.
And those Green Rivers are good stuff.

However, if you use a high carbon blade, you wash and dry it immediately.

Re San Antonio: Check out Woodcraft and Rockler. Google them for info.

I buy my handle material from my local Woodcraft.
As I said, I used to make my own blades but was never anywhere as good as the pros here. I finally settled on getting good high carbon blades from Jantz and nice wood from Woodcraft.

When it comes to cutting, high carbon rules. I have a bunch of industrial hack saw blades that I need to grind down into blades. But, in 10 years, I haven’t gotten around to it.

I envy the pros here for their skill and artistry. I could never equal them.

I use brass rod and epoxy to to pin it all together.