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Old 01-08-2015, 05:28 AM
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Crex Crex is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Acworth, GA and/or Hanging Dog, NC
Posts: 3,583
Welcome to the jungle/addiction/game/fun/frustration/delight/disappointment/satisfaction that is knifemaking. It's quite a journey no matter which path you take so just hang on and enjoy the ride.
You will get a lot of good info and advice here along with a sufficient number of "how not to's" (seems we all know more than a few of those tricks).
As Ray indicated the saw blade will most likely suffice in Ulu applications (lot of the originals found in Alaska were from boilerplate and other ship debre). However, as advised, using known steel that you can learn to be consistent with, will greatly minimize the learning curve when you start doing your own thermal cycling and forging if that's the path you take.
You will learn the mechanics of a knife using the "kits" and there's absolutely nothing wrong learning that way.

The best suggestion I can give you is to seek out a accomplished local maker and negotiate a little time with him/her. That way you can observe shop setups, tool applications & adaptations, tips & tricks, etc. You will learn that much faster and hopefully find a new friend and mentor. Most of us makers are pretty OK people (just a little weird and reclusive).
If you are serious about going the forging route, attend as many hammer-ins as time/money/travel permit. You can learn a lot at these events.

With any of these options remember to take everything with a grain of salt and use common sense discernment on what you see, hear, read or watch. Million ways to skin the neighbors cat and everyone has their favorite way.
Mostly enjoy yourself and keep us posted on your progress whether good or bad....no dumb questions (well there are, but most of the guys here are gracious enough not to point that out) we want to help.


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