Secondly, as my channel marking knife define youtube growing, the tools I was using began gaining more attention. The edge may be beveled or symmetric. They are specially tailored to cutting hamas they are generally thinner and more flexible. Aradyte rapid didn't work for the wood to metal joint either. I thought I would have deleted the word. There are obviously specific signs for many words available in sign language that are more appropriate for daily usage.

The lathe had sat idle in my workshop for 4 months while I gathered materials to test the first batch. And I decided to film my first ever attempt at using the metal lathe for Episode 12 of Turning Tuesday. At this point, the knives were complete secret. Barely anyone knew what I was up to! This is where the real challenges arose. I'm pretty sure I exhausted all potential cock-ups possible before finally coming out with a design and a process that works well.

Below are some of my favourite screw ups. There was a split in the rosewood that I didn't see. Suffice to say it didn't like the skew chisel touching it. I forgot to cut the blade slot before attaching the ferrule. Then ended up mashing it anyway I decided to highly polish the ferrule as an experiment, then proceeded to overtighten it in the chuck jaws The slitting saws I use are extremely flexible. One second I was chamfering the copper, the next second my pants were brown.

The shank was too tight in the handle, so I decided to machine it down slightly. Ended up mashing the slot shut. When the araldyte joint failed, causing the ferrule to rotate around the blade holder.

You could get a grub screw in that, right? When I forgot to set the depth stop on the drill and blew through the opposite side of the ferrule. One of the many occurrences where the tap snapped while cutting the thread. This is one of the most annoying! Aradyte rapid didn't work for the wood to metal joint either. These often launched off the lathe. When the slitting saw broke and I decided to mount it on the lathe afterwards as an experiment. It didn't like it. When you're fitting the blade for the final time and it snaps in the slot.

The only slitting saws I could find were available from China. When I got carried away while sanding the handle and ended up shaping the brass ferrule too! A huge problem I faced was breakout within the slot. After adhering the ferrule to the blade holder, every time I drilled and tapped the hole there would be small amounts of metal that would prevent the blade from being fully inserted. I considered assembling the ferrule and blade holder dry while drilling and tapping the hole, taking it apart, cleaning out the slot, then re-assembling it.

But this would almost certainly make aligning the threads difficult. Not to mention the potential of threadlocker leaking into the pre-drilled grub screw hole!

I found that inserting a piece of 0. I usually reserve these ones for myself, friends, and display items if I were to ever set up a stall at an event. After completing the first batch of knives, I have since subcontracted the metal components of the knives out to a small local company.

This stops me from having to spend hours slaving over a lathe and milling machine doing repetitive tasks and instead focus on video creation. However, I still glue, drill, tap, countersink, and chamfer the ferrule myself. As well as turn, finish, and package etc.

It's been a real rollercoaster trying to get these things going but the initial feedback has been incredible. I'm seeing lots of happy recipients of their knives all round the globe and I could not be more humbled to see people enjoying them.

If you want to purchase one yourself, you can visit my online store. If you find they are out of stock, be sure to sign up for my marking knife notifications by clicking the button below. They are simply stunning! Knowing the amount of thought behind the design and process makes them even more appealing. I also want notifications but the link is broken. Decisions, decisions! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Matt Estlea. The Story of My Marking Knives. April 21, All the way from initial concept, design, prototyping, manufacturing, and fulfilment. This is the story of how my custom marking knives went from an idea into my head, to a tool that people can use and treasure. The Idea. The First Prototype. Planning and Research. Blade Sizing. Grub Screw Placement. When it blew up There was a split in the rosewood that I didn't see.

Massive Oops I forgot to cut the blade slot before attaching the ferrule. Overtightening I decided to highly polish the ferrule as an experiment, then proceeded to overtighten it in the chuck jaws Bendy Bendy The slitting saws I use are extremely flexible.

Car Crash One second I was chamfering the copper, the next second my pants were brown. Remounting The shank was too tight in the handle, so I decided to machine it down slightly. Araldyte Fail When the araldyte joint failed, causing the ferrule to rotate around the blade holder. Drilling Through When I forgot to set the depth stop on the drill and blew through the opposite side of the ferrule.

Snap The Tap One of the many occurrences where the tap snapped while cutting the thread. Another Failed Joint Aradyte rapid didn't work for the wood to metal joint either. Stupidity When the slitting saw broke and I decided to mount it on the lathe afterwards as an experiment.

Flying Sharp Things When you're fitting the blade for the final time and it snaps in the slot. Finest Quality The only slitting saws I could find were available from China. Excessive Sanding When I got carried away while sanding the handle and ended up shaping the brass ferrule too! Snap the Tap V2 Yep. The Process. Sign up to my marking knife notification where you will get the latest news about the batch I am currently working on.

I promise there is no spam, all emails are written by me and I'm not organised enough to constantly send emails! Click Here. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Comment Name Email Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Follow me at:. Download My. I cut a short section out of a spine clip to make the blade protector and completed the assembly. When the time comes to resharpen or replace the blade, the owner of one of your knives will be reminded of what an exquisite tool you have given him or her!

Now you're ready to hand out your gifts. But did you just make a batch of fine layout tools or a bunch of box cutters? It depends, of course, on whether you are giving the knife to a woodworker or someone who knows little about precision tools! Charles Mak, now in retirement, is an enthusiastic hobby woodworker, teacher, writer and tipster. He formerly worked part-time at his local Lee Valley Tools store. We recommend using strong passwords that are at least seven characters long and combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.

An Error has occured, please try again. Your session has timed out. Please sign in again. Sorry, your username or password is incorrect. Please check your spelling and try again. Please enter the username associated with your Lee Valley account and we will send you an email to reset your password. Sorry, your email is incorrect. Please try again. Please enter the email address associated with your Lee Valley account and we will send you an email with your username. An email has been sent.

Please check your inbox. Yes, take me to Lee Valley Canada Cancel. Make Your Own Marking Knife Woodworkers have a reputation for making their own tools, whether out of interest or just frugality. Some of the handmade tools the author uses in his shop. The sharp and stiff cutting edge makes this scalpel ideal for laying out tails or pins. Stock Preparation The small size of the knife makes it an ideal project for using the hardwood from your scrap bin. Cutting the Blade Channel A blind channel is cut on one of the strips to the exact width and depth of the blunt end of the blade so that the blade sits snugly and tightly in the channel.

Use the nick on the strip to set the next saw cut. Drilling the Holes Using the blade as a template, I located and drilled the bolt and nut through-holes together. Use the depth stop on the drill press to control the boring depth on the blind hole. Shaping the Handle With the strips bolted together, I outlined the shape on the face of the handle. Using a Spokeshave A Canted Blade I set the blade at a slight angle to the sole so I can vary the depth of cut by re-positioning the spokeshave rather than re-setting the cutter.

Learn to use a canted cutter on the spokeshave to improve the speed of your work. Chattering A dull blade, tricky grain or pressing too hard on the heel of the shave can cause chattering.

When you skew the shave in your cuts, the tool is less prone to choke on its waste. Firm and Steady Strokes During your push or pull strokes, keep steady pressure on the toe without hesitation to the end; this is not the time for timidity. Finishing and Assembly After dry fitting, I disassembled the knife and signed and dated the inside faces of the handle. Photos and text by Charles Mak Charles Mak, now in retirement, is an enthusiastic hobby woodworker, teacher, writer and tipster. Further Reading Mak, Charles.

Issue August Mak, Charles. June Sign me up to receive the latest news and promotions. Sign In Your session has timed out. Keep me signed in.

Under Tray Drawer Adelaide 65 Easy Childrens Woodworking Projects Flush Trimming Router Bit Of