Make a Custom Knife (Introduction to Knife Making)

In this workshop, you’ll learn the fundamentals of knife making in two 4 hour sessions. This workshop is focused on the reductive (or stock-removal) technique of knife making. 

In this workshop you’ll start with a raw piece of annealed tool steel, which you’ll shape and polish into a useful addition to your kitchen. We guarantee food made with your knife will taste even better!

In the first session, you’ll choose the basic design of your knife – either a classic French Chef, a vegetable slicer, a cleaver or a utility/hunting knife. You can then customize and scale your design so your knife perfectly fits your hand. Next you’ll apply your design to the tool steel, which you’ll cut, shape and polish using various hand and power tools. By the end of the first session, your knife will be ready for hardening and tempering by one of our craftspeople before you return for the second session.

In the second session (held the same day/time of the following week), you’ll build a custom brass-pinned hardwood handle for your knife and polish your blade until its a work of art. Finally, you’ll sharpen your blade to a razor’s edge using our custom sharpening jigs.

What You’ll Be Making

Guests can choose from 4 classic knife designs – a French Chef, a vegetable slicer, a cleaver, and a hunting knife.   Guests will be able to scale the knife and handle so it fits perfectly in their hand.  We’ll provide everything needed, including a couple options for handle materials and finish.

This course focuses on entry-level skills in knife making, some aspects of woodworking, and the basics of design with respect to functionality—how to make a product that works well for specific purposes.

No prior experience is necessary.