Go to the Article: Make Your Own Steak Knives!
My grandmother's favorite kitchen knife was a butter knife that my grandfather sharpened...
Such a great idea, just made a set of 8 for a holiday gift for the person who has everything, but he doesn't have this! I bought the knives a year ago, but they got shoved to the back of the drawer. Super easy, wish I would have done it sooner! Love the video, keep up the great work.
Has anyone tried grinding down the knives with a dremel tool instead of a grinder/water stones?
You misspoke. When you said "You actually don't want to be doing this" what you meant was you don't like doing this. What clearing away the "dust" is actually removing the tiny metal fragments away from the stone, allowing the abrasive surface of the stone to do it's job. Leaving those metal fragments on your stone will only impede sharpening your knife.
I think as a present, its more meaningful to say I took these antique butter knives and made them into steak knives for you. It's more about the time
I notice in this video that when he sharpens, he regularly gets rid of the fine dust on the sharpener. You don't actually want to be doing this, because the dust still sharpens your blade and often to a far finer degree. I used do to the same thing, until I saw an instruction video made by the Global company that pointed out that mistake. Great idea to use those old butter knives, love it.
Yeah Mike, me too! You are absolutely right. I assisted to a sharpening course and the teacher said the same things as you. He said that diamond is a steel eater. I saw him get a knife blunt with the diamond "stone" just to sharp it again and the whole process took no more than 5 mins.
Loved the video and the idea! I will be hitting the thrift stores and yard sales!
I really like the sunglasses also!
Thanks for the amazing idea. Made this set for my cousins wedding gift. Couldn't find a full set of 8 so I have 4 pairs so if they have a dinner party with couples they can pair the couples with the knives.
I used a grinder to do the initial shaping then my wet stones to edge and sharpen.
Thanks again Grant!!
Mike, is there anything in a quality wheel that I could use on the bench grinder as I have several sets of Japan
Yaxell and Victorinox professional knives that I bought in the Bangkok night markets. They are like new except the edge is pitted & gouged from hacking into fish & Chicken bones. The sets are real & bought by Rich ladies who throw them out to the market when they are not sharp. I even found 1 lady using a $300 knife to tighten the screws on her market stand.
PS there are a huge amount of ancient wood block planes & wood tools here but I am no expert on them.
Cheers, Ed
I think that mine came out pretty well.
I did find some specifics on the blade steel before using these. The blades are 440c steel, and the handles are sterling silver.
While these are pretty to look at, I'm still concerned about the quality of the steel. For probably less money and a LOT less time you can get a Chicago Cutlery 4-Piece Basics Steakhouse Knife Set. Runs about $3.50 a knife. Or their more stylish 4-Piece Walnut Tradition Steak Knife Set, which is about $6.50 a knife.
Great video!! I love the Pacific Gallery! Hey, similar to below. Should I get stainless steel or Silver? Will the silver hold an edge? Thanks!
I'd imagine:
1. Depends on the quality of your thrift store knife as well as the angle of the blade.
2. See above.
3. You're making steak knives from antique butter knives.
I shuddered when I saw Grant doing the initial shaping of the blade on a water stone. If you do anything like this very often, get a coarse or extra coarse diamond "stone". I collect antique tools, especially woodworking chisels and planes. The blades of these tools are usually pretty rough when I get them at garage sales & second hand stores. The diamond stone quickly flattens a cutting plane and straightens the edge of these old blades. Then I go onto the water stones.
This "system" would work for initially shaping and sharpening these dinner knives, too!
PS: If you use a power grinder or even a belt sander, FREQUENTLY dip the blade into water as you work it.
I like to call them Oleo knife spreaders.
I love the cigar box... One of my favorites!
Where does someone get a grinder stone and a stone for sharpening, which I assume is a different kind of stone?
you guys are amazing. I also agree, nice, old thrift stores are great for a date.
They do look very nice, but what makes you think old butter knives will be made of a material that will hold an edge?
American-isms. those are "Butter Knives", what you're describing is a "Spreader"
yes you can use the sidewalk, a flat river stone or any rough flat surface you can find. You will have various degrees of success with each surface. I can't believe he would even demo on his water stone because all of them are so soft and would have to be flattened before using to sharpen a knife on them. Get a cheap belt sander to shape the knifes if you are going to do a batch of them.
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I thought the sharpening stones should be thoroughly wet, this way you ruin them and they won't last long.
"Butter knives"? Those look like table knives, AKA dinner knives or place knives, to me. Butter knives have much smaller blades.
F$&@ing awesome! I love this idea. Opens the to make your own fish knives, grapefruit spoons, etc. endless possibilities !
I find it hard to believe that the steel in a butter knife is very worthwhile (though I admit that I don't know). How well does the typical knife hold its edge? Do you have to sharpen them after each use? Are you even really concerned about this?
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!!!!
Great idea, but unless you are very careful, you will destroy the temper of the steel using a grinder to speed the process up.
Enjoyed the video (and the idea). Thanks!
A really cool instructional.
The only gripe I have is about the newletter I received concerning it.
It claims the knifes are "Hand forged by yours truly".
Calling them forged is a bit of a stretch, don't you think?
Modified at best.
Anywho, I will definitely keep an eye out for cool knives next time I'm at a yard sale, thrift shop or antique store.
Thanks for the inspiration !
Very cool! One of the best videos yet...thanks
This is awesomely col! With the price of good knives tis would be much cheaper and give you a sense of accomplishment for a job well done!
Can I just use the sidewalk instead of a grinding stone?
this is a great idea, I hate the serrated knives and I have been using the Global 25th Anniversary Utility Knife, 4.5 I have 2 and I would have to buy 4 more @ 65 each. The only thing is it provable cost that much just to buy a grinder and then you nee a shop, goggles, etc. etc. ... What would be cool if if some one that reads this blog and can do this work would let us know and how much it would cost.
Really cool idea! Thanks for sharing!
This would be a great way to get a one of a kind petty or utility knife.
This is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. And I've seen some cool-ass shit in my time. Also, the intellectual property professional in me appreciates that you took the time to put electrical tape over the manufacturer logo on the steering wheel. I mean, unless that's there because Grant rage-punched his car for some reason.
