Reddit reviews Step by Step Knifemaking: You Can Do It

All it takes to clean up your finish work is a rasp, a bunch of sandpaper down to 1200 grit, and time.

I suggest checking out these books:

http://www.amazon.com/Step---Step-Knifemaking-You-Can/dp/0615116590/

http://www.amazon.com/Wayne-Goddards-Knife-Shop-Revised/dp/0896892956/

http://www.amazon.com/How-Make-Knives-Richard-Barney/dp/087341389X/

These were all invaluable to me when I was learning fit and finish. They're also all probably available through your local library.

If you do decide to buy some tools, you can get a TON of fast, efficient work done from just a cheap belt sander ($50 at Harbor Freight) and a cheap benchtop buffer (get a washing machine motor from a junkyard and built one, or spend $80 on one). Those two tools alone will make a WORLD of difference in your finish work.

I can give some advice from another person who started young and had an entrepreneurial mindset to my works. To preface, you should, by all means continue to hone your craft and learn and push forward.

First and foremost, find a smith in your area that specializes in your area of interest. I was able to find a master bladesmith in my area who gave classes for $100. Hard to beat working with a true master. A seasoned smith should hopefully teach you the safety and how incredibly important that is. They'll also make sure you leave with something that you've truly crafted from bar to finished knife to understand the process and the craft.

Second, if you aim to have your product on sale and available to the public, you should be willing and able to take some criticism. Be ready for when someone walks in and picks one up and tears it apart because they are well informed in this area. Learn from what they say, don't let it hit you personally. Take the first time you make some number of knives and sell none as a sign that you could be better and let it drive you, not discourage or upset you.

Third, and not everyone may agree with this, but assume your product is nothing special. Be proud of it, take care forming it and sharpening it, etc. But don't be boastful and big-headed about what you make. Just because you made it does not mean you're the expert or that it's worth what you ask.eone else. Or you may make another following it and it'll be even better.

Fourth, don't jump to selling your work. I saw that you have some experiences to spark this passion, but Boye didn't start selling when he formed a knife shape. Take time to appreciate what different steels will do for you, what tempering is vs hardening, so on. The next worst thing to folks picking up your product and just setting it back down with some nasty words are an unhappy person coming back to return it because it fell apart/instantly lost the edge/broke. For what it's worth, check out this book. It taught me a lot.

Lastly, I know you're young and looking to connect with your father. My deepest sympathies. I do understand that feeling. Obviously I don't know him or you or anything about your life, but I would try to chase that feeling over the desire to make money. My proudest, best works have been when I was just enjoying it because I was chasing a feeling and when I could think to myself that I was dedicating my work, my sweat, my aches and pains and cuts and bruises to someone dear. As soon as I started selling more and more, it became a duty and a job and lost that glimmer and that connection.

Best of luck. I know the folks here (the Internet, Reddit, etc.) can sometimes be a bit snippy, but it'll help to toughen that skin and if you can look past the fact that it's hard to convey tone sometimes or whatever it may be and look to what suggestions they have, it'll make you better. Please post your work! Just be ready for when a fellow who has been smithing for a living for 30+ years comes in and isn't impressed and has forgotten how to give uplifting criticism or what it's like just starting.

As for the laws, sadly an experienced bladesmith (in your area) would probably know better than anyone here. I would also advise just googling until you find the law or the right official to ask.

These two are my favorites for beginning.

The Complete Bladesmith: Forging Your Way to Perfection https://www.amazon.com/dp/099870816X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Z.gZBbA2WBWF1

Step-by-Step Knifemaking: You Can Do It! https://www.amazon.com/dp/0615116590/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_SahZBbKKD1BDF

Step by Step Knifemaking, by David Boye This is practically the bible on where to start with knife making.

Nice.

You've probably already seen this, but highly recommend otherwise:
http://www.amazon.com/Step---Step-Knifemaking-You-Can/dp/0615116590/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290880950&sr=1-1

Get, read and absorb the following:

• The Complete Modern Blacksmith
  
  
• Step by Step Knifemaking
  
  
• The Complete Bladesmith
  
  
• This one is arguable, but I've enjoyed my 1977 copy. How to Make Knives
  
  The knowledge is more important than the tools. That said, don't scrimp on the anvil, the vise and the flatter hammer.
  

Ditto. Linke to book. Here's another one I liked

Here ya' go pal.

Post pics when you're done.