Knifemaking - The Basics
Let's start with the disclaimer, Knifemaking is Dangerous to the maker, ALWAYS USE PROPER SAFTEY EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES. Before attempting make sure you learn to use all the tools needed to complete the process you have decided to use. That said I will give a brief overview with a commented pictorial of the steps. Hope this presentation is informative for you.
At first thought knife making would appear to be a very simple thing to achieve and it is until you start requiring various specialized tasks from your knife. Even the spreading of butter is a specialized function.
Commit to the specifications that are needed for the blade you want. Once the decision is made of what you want a knife for you then design it, that is, shape it's blade and handle so as to make your knife functional for the intended purpose. Still simple so far, at this point the complexities of knife making start to compound.
It should be pointed out that you can purchase over the internet complete kits or order "ala carte" different blades and components to make the knife you need and desire. My first kit knife gave me some satisfaction and provided the impulse to immediately start making the blades myself.
If you don't know already then you'll have research to do on steel types, handle material, stock reduction method, hand forged, or kit knife. Collect everything that is needed for your completed knife and prepare the individual elements for optimum assembly. Your execution of assembly is critical. The finished product is hand made by a man and it will never be perfect. Over time your craftsmanship will improve and your blades will show it.