In this five-day course, you will enjoy a perfect balance of hands-on involvement as well as lecture topics. Upon completion of the course, you will have designed and created your own personal camp knife and will possess a basic understanding of the knifemaking process.
5 day workshop (35 hours)
Hands-on techniques will include:
- Selection of steel
- Propane forge operation and maintenance
- Forging techniques and hammer control
- Traditional annealing techniques
- Scale removal
- Straightening
- Heat treating
- Introductory grinding techniques
- Introductory hand-sanding techniques
- Handle attachment
- Sharpening
- Simple leather sheath making
Lecture topics will include:
- Different types of knife handle construction techniques
- Overview of different blade geometries
- Introduction to basic heat treating and metallurgical principle
- Sharpening and maintenance
- Overview of leather sheath making design and construction
Bring a buddy? $2200, each. Two student limit. Price includes all materials and basic safety equipment. Travel and lodging are at the student’s expense. We have a fully furnished apartment above the shop, or choose one of the fine accommodations in the beautiful historic town of, Lunenburg. Non-participating spouses, partners and friends are welcomed to watch you struggle or take in the local shops and sites. Inquire for more information.
Course Schedule – 5-day Camp Knife
Day 1:
This day starts with a primer on shop safety, followed by an overview of knife design, forging and construction techniques. You will use this information to design and formulate a building plan for your camp knife. We will move forward to hands-on forging a. By the day’s end, you can expect to have a knife blank completely forged out.
Day 2:
You will be introduced to the various machines and equipment used in a typical knifemaker’s shop. Following a discussion on grinding technique, we will shape and prepare the blade for heat treating. Basic metallurgy and heat treating practices will be taught through lecture and practical application. We will finish the day with hardening and tempering the camp knife.
Day 3:
Day 3 consists of refining the blade finish and preparing the blank for handle and guard fittings. We will cover material selection and delve deeper into handle construction. This will be an arduous day of grinding, filing and monotonous hand sanding. We will take every opportunity to discuss aspects of knifemaking to pass the time as your arms slowly fall off your body.
Day 4:
The knife literally comes together on day 4. We will fit and attach a handle to the blade. In the afternoon, as the epoxy slowly cures, we will discuss the aspects of designing and building a leather sheath.
Day 5:
The day will begin with final sanding and fishing the knife handle. You will then make a leather belt sheath to fit your camp knife. The course ends with knife sharpening lessons and basic first aid for cuts and lacerations.
Contact me to book.
