Get creative with your blade design, but keep functionality and practicality in mind.
Try to get a slab or bar between 1/8 to ¼ inch thick.
Make adjustments to the size as necessary once you see the outline on the metal.
Go slowly during this step, as grinding too much can ruin the blade, forcing you to start over.
Sand in opposite directions each time you change grits. You can use a file to add ridges to the inside near the handle. Trace a pattern and file the metal away.
Prepare your hardening bath. [8] X Research source To cool the knife, you will need to douse it in a hardening bath. What you use depends on the type of steel, but for 01 you can use a bucket of motor oil. You need to be able to completely submerge the blade in the bucket.
On the 4th time, instead of letting it air cool, douse it in the oil bath. Be aware that there will be fire when the blade is put into the oil, so be sure that you are properly protected. When the blade is hardened, it can break when dropped, so handle carefully.
After you have a sharp edge on every part of the blade, repeat the sharpening on the fine side of the sharpening stone.
