Knife Class

If you’ve ever wanted to make your own knife, I recommend you save yourself lots of time and money and first start out by taking a knife “kit” class.

Professional knife makers know that the magic of knife making results because of great attention to the “fit & finish” of the knife. It’s the part of the knife making process where you attach the handle and file, grind, sand and polish to fit.

Tony Roed & Jeff Olson practicing their knife making skills.

This is the most important part of the knife making process.

Because this is a vitally important part and incidentally often the most overlooked by would-be knife makers, it’s why Tony Roed and I (Jeff Olson) have developed a class to teach this skill.

We provide our students with pre-made knife blanks, rivets and custom knife scales (handle material).

Students go home with a complete knife and leather sheath.

Tony Roed

In our course, students will have the opportunity to select their own handle material for a provided knife blade. They will learn to affix the handle material via epoxy and rivets. They will also learn how to shape the handle with 2×72 belt grinders and finish off the day by making a leather sheaths for their new knife.

Jeff Olson with a “Knife Kit Class” student on the 2×72 grinder.

We’ve developed the class so there’s no experience needed. Students work closely with professional instructors.

Tony Roed on Forged In Fire. Season 5 episode 32.

Instructed by professional knife maker and “Forged in Fire Contestant” Tony Roed along with co-instructor, artisan blacksmith Jeff Olson.

Dadley

We’ve chosen the Russell Green River Ripper, Dadley and Hunter knife blanks for our classes. These were one of the most common knives used during the North American mountain man period of exploration and expansion in both the U.S. and Canada.

Hunter

These high carbon steel “Green River” blades are identical to the ones used by our forefathers. They have been made by Russell Harrington Cutlery since the early 1800s, and feature proven designs used as working knives for almost 200 years.

Student knife from a class.

We like these knives because they end up being the most used knives in the house. They stand the test of time and that’s why we use them in our classes. We want to send the students home with a working knife they’ll be proud to say they made.

Student Green River Ripper Knives.

For information on how to attend or schedule a group class, you can contact us directly or watch for up coming classes at The Pine To Prairie Folk School, The Fosston Area Metal Arts and The Northern Minnesota Metalsmith’s organization.