Would a start with "Green River" blades be a good place??

[10 ga]

Have never done a blade but like a good knife. Wondering if getting some "Green River" blades and putting handles on them would be a good start. I like a nice carbon steel blade for hunting and skinning. I hunt, trap, and skin a lot of stuff in a year. Commercil fish too. I have some knives now that are like the "Green River" style blades and like them for a lot of my work. There is nothing like looking at 300 lb. of blues and croaker to clean and get ready to salt or 5 doz. muskrats to skin along sith 10 coon and 3 otters. Makes you value a good set of knives that can work. Are the "Green River" blades good for a beginner. Thanks, 10 ga

[izzyjoe]

i was thinking the same thing, but i work in a truck shop with good supply of truck springs. they are the best material for knife blades, or so i've been told. so i'm in the process of forging my own blade, i want a small skinner for hunting. and i'm gona make one for every day carry. i've heard that old saw blades,and lawnmower blades make good material as well. i like to make things, so i figured i might as well make the whole thing.

[Doc65]

Saw blades, maybe, but lawnmower blades are way to soft, at least all those that I've sharpened..

[gwpercle]

10 ga. ,
Starting with a " green River " blade is an excellent way of starting. Making a blade from scratch is not the easiest thing to do. Believe me I've tried . Grinding straight lines and heat treating can discourage a beginner. My first sucessful knife was a Green River blade that I bought 2

slabs of elk horn for handle . Attached with epoxy and nice brass rivets it was a good looking and functional knife. Give it a try. Find some unique wood or other handle/grip material and you have a semi-custom knife.
gary

[10 ga]

Gary, Thanks for the info. I have some cherry burl and whale bone. Think I'll get some blades and give it a try. Perhaps just with some plain purple heart to start. Have plenty of the purple heart but it is just plain grain. Then the burl or bone.

[Case Stuffer]

The large hacksaw type blades used in some cut off saws make great knife blades. My wifes favorite kitchen knife s one with a 10" blade which I made for her close to 50 years ago.

[gwpercle]

10 ga.,
Any of those woods would be great looking...espically the cherry burl. I've never seen whale bone but it will definitaly be a one of a kind knife. And just where do you get whale bone ?
Gary

[TXGunNut]

I've done three of them, I think they're a great starting place as I'll likely never get into forging my own.

[olafhardt]

I used to clean lots of fish in large batches. My favorite knife was a 7" Old HICKORY butcher knife. The filets would roll up on the blade. A few swipes with a file would make them shave. I think they are still under $10.

[MyFlatline]

I know, old thread..but I am just starting to get involved in knives..I started with Green river blades. Has been fun learning..

[GhostHawk]

Outfit called "Crazy Crow" has very good prices on green river blades.

http://www.crazycrow.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SRCH

[MyFlatline]

So does Track of the Wolf .com

Great for a beginner like me.