Knives

Tuskbuster makes a good point. It's best to start out with a knife that is not very big, not very thick and not very fancy. Just a good plain looking using knife, like a capeing knife or a fixed blade skinner with a 3- 3 1/2 inch blade with a full tang, wooden scale handle. Like he said, through one of the supply stores you can get bar stock ( 01 or D2 tool steel would be good to start out with ) that is already annealed and precision ground to what ever thickness you want and the price is within most peoples budget. After you make your blade you can either send it in to them to heat treat or you can do it yourself.