Lesson 3: How to Make a Railroad Spike Knife | DIY Knife Making: Marking Your Handle
Now that we have chosen our spikes, we are ready to start marking out the specifications of the knife itself. The first step is marking your handle. We all have different hand sizes and personal preferences, so this is an important step to get right to make the knife more than just an ornament. The average railroad spike is about 6 inches in length. BUT it is crucial to keep in mind that it will elongate through the smithing process. We will also go over tips on how to forge a slip guard so that your hand will not slip onto the blade. For Aram, that is the most difficult part of the blade-making process. The final thing this video covers is CRUCIAL!! Safety! Safety! Safety! Tie back your hair, your beard, wear eye protection, gloves, etc, etc… we're dealing with freaking molten metal after all!
In This Video:
- Marking your handle
- Punching your mark v. Using carbon pencil for marking your handle
- The importance of a slip guard
- Safety tips before you start forging
- And more…
