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Collection

Knife Making Kit

Everything you need to forge, grind, handle and sheath your first knife, the way N.J. has made hundreds of them. Price guide: $ under $50 · $$ $50–150 · $$$ over $150.

Heads up: some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Cody Iron Works may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Cody Iron Works earns from qualifying purchases. Items marked "Made by N.J." are his own hand-forged work, sold through Ranch Route.

Steel & Heat Treat

Beginner pick

1084 high-carbon bar stock

$

Knife steel

The most forgiving steel to learn heat treating on.

Beginner pick

Quench oil

$

Canola or commercial quench oil

For hardening carbon steel blades.

Beginner pick

Magnet for heat treat

$

Telescoping magnet

Checks when steel reaches non-magnetic before you quench.

Handles

Beginner pick

Handle scales

$

Stabilized wood or micarta

Ready-cut handle material for full-tang knives.

Beginner pick

Handle pins & epoxy

$

Brass pins + 2-part epoxy

Pins and slow-set epoxy for a handle that won't come loose.

Sharpening

Beginner pick

Whetstone set

$

1000/6000 grit

Puts a hand-finished edge on a forged blade.

Beginner pick

Leather strop & compound

$

Strop kit

The final polish for a razor edge.

Sheaths

Beginner pick

Leather sheath kit

$

Stitching tools + thread

Awls, needles and waxed thread to sew your own sheath.

Beginner pick

Veg-tan leather

$

Tooling leather

Heavy leather for a sheath that molds to the blade.

Ready-made knives

N.J. uses

Buck 110 Folding Hunter

$$

Buck Knives

A classic to compare against your own forged blades.

Featured

Montana Knife Company

$$$

Montana Knife Co.

Hand-finished working knives made in Montana.