Knife Maker's Vise

Shown below is an example of a knife maker's vise. One handle tightens the wood blocks against the knife blade. The other handle allows the inner portion of the vise to rotate, or locks it into a stationary position. The purpose of the knife maker's vise is to safely hold a blade, and to position the blade so that it may be safely worked on.

The example below is made from schedule 40 steel pipe, and has a metal bar welded to the bottom to allow it to be held in a standard vise. The handles are file handles from the hardware store with lengths of 3/8" threaded rod simply screwed into each file handle. Nuts are welded over holes in the steel, after which the threads are chased with a tap to make sure the threads are clean and true. A small rectangle of metal in inset into one of the wood blocks to protect the block from the force of the threaded rod in the handle as it presses against the wood. The vise is designed so that the one handle may be moved to the ears on the top if higher gripping strength is desired.

• Knife Makers Vise:
  

• Knife Makers Vise (another view):