|
J. Hoffman KnivesCustom Handmade Knives
|
The equipment needed to make knives can be as simple as hand files and sandpaper, or can get as complex as multiple belt grinders, drill presses, disc grinders, saws, hydraulic presses, power hammers, heat treat ovens, milling machines and lathes. The list of machines that can be used in knifemaking is endless!
I've collect equipment as I go, and as I find it. I have a mix of new equipment and older industrial equipment. I like finding old industrial machines that can come to "retire" in my little shop. The Powermatic variable speed drill press was actually the press from my high school. I used this exact press over 25 years ago when I was in shop class. My Burr King grinder came from another knifemaker that retired, and my Powermatic band saw came from a production shop.
My TW-90 grinder is the main workhorse of my shop. It does everything from profiling and grinding blades to sanding blocks of wood that will be used for handles. It has multiple attachments that allow flat grinding, hollow grinding and can get into tight places with the small wheels.
The disc grinder is used for finish grinding and making sure things are flat. It does a lot to reduce the amount of time needed for hand-sanding.
The evenheat kiln is used for all my heat treating. It is digitally controlled and will reach temperatures of 2200 degrees! It is a vital piece of equipment for getting proper heat treat. The heat treatment of steel is the most important part of making a quality knife. Without a good heat treat, it's only a knife-shaped object. I spend a lot of time heat treating and testing my heat treat to make sure I'm sending out the highest quality knife I can make. I also do a cryo treatment in liquid nitrogen when it's applicable.
My Jet 14" bandsaw is used as a miniature sawmill. It has cut hundreds of pounds of burl and wood for handle materials. I have truly abused this machine, and it just keeps going and going! It has a 1/2" wide blade and can cut wood as thick as 12". This saw excels at cutting straight lines.
My 14" Powermatic bandsaw is used for light-duty cutting and has a thinner blade I can use for cutting curves.
My Milwaukee Bandsaw is a variable speed portable saw that can be used for cutting steel or other hard materials. Cutting steel requires a slow bandsaw. A fast wood-cutting saw will not cut steel.
I've collect equipment as I go, and as I find it. I have a mix of new equipment and older industrial equipment. I like finding old industrial machines that can come to "retire" in my little shop. The Powermatic variable speed drill press was actually the press from my high school. I used this exact press over 25 years ago when I was in shop class. My Burr King grinder came from another knifemaker that retired, and my Powermatic band saw came from a production shop.
My TW-90 grinder is the main workhorse of my shop. It does everything from profiling and grinding blades to sanding blocks of wood that will be used for handles. It has multiple attachments that allow flat grinding, hollow grinding and can get into tight places with the small wheels.
The disc grinder is used for finish grinding and making sure things are flat. It does a lot to reduce the amount of time needed for hand-sanding.
The evenheat kiln is used for all my heat treating. It is digitally controlled and will reach temperatures of 2200 degrees! It is a vital piece of equipment for getting proper heat treat. The heat treatment of steel is the most important part of making a quality knife. Without a good heat treat, it's only a knife-shaped object. I spend a lot of time heat treating and testing my heat treat to make sure I'm sending out the highest quality knife I can make. I also do a cryo treatment in liquid nitrogen when it's applicable.
My Jet 14" bandsaw is used as a miniature sawmill. It has cut hundreds of pounds of burl and wood for handle materials. I have truly abused this machine, and it just keeps going and going! It has a 1/2" wide blade and can cut wood as thick as 12". This saw excels at cutting straight lines.
My 14" Powermatic bandsaw is used for light-duty cutting and has a thinner blade I can use for cutting curves.
My Milwaukee Bandsaw is a variable speed portable saw that can be used for cutting steel or other hard materials. Cutting steel requires a slow bandsaw. A fast wood-cutting saw will not cut steel.
