Japanese paring knife

First of all I would like to say that I am relatively new to knife making. I have the basic tools to make knifes(forge,anvil,bench grinder). I got into smithing two years ago when I took on the job of teaching blacksmithing at my local Boy Scout camp. I have the rudimentary knowledge of bladesmithing and that's it. I wanted to find a good simple blade shape that I could forge and give to my grandmothers. I was thinking something along the lines of a japanese version of a paring knife. I wanted to know what that would be called. This might be on the wrong forum I didn't really know were it should be so I guessed here. I am open to any advice since I need as much as I can get. If you could guide me to maybe a previous wip that had a similar blade in it it would be extremely helpful. Thankyou to any of you who take the time to help me out.

 

A parer is a difficult start. Professionals will use it for decoration, but it's a poor peeler. A peeler has a flat right face when intended for a right-handed, while every other knife has a convexed right face.

 

What type of knife do you feel would be a good all around kitchen knife a beginner could make without extreme difficulty.

 

I've been told by a knife maker that a parer is where you want to start out making knives. It still isn't easy to get the profile just right, but yes, the grind should be flatter on the right for right handers, and convexed on the left. May take you a few tries to get something that you like, so do one at a time until you find something that you're happy with. Good luck, and have fun.

 

Thankyou

 

I have no suggestions for you, but please take photos and ask lots of questions- you are in the right place!

 

I would definitely start with a paring knife simply for the reason that there is less total grinding on a shorter knife. Also, you won't have to try to straighten something really long. Heck you might even get lucky and you won't get any warp at all on a smaller knife.

 

Can't offer any advice, but looks like the helpful people here have offered some useful tips so far anyway, I am looking forward to seeing what you make.

 

I am fairly new to knife making , the first knife I made by myself was a paring knife as well. As others mentioned with a longer knives there is more risk of blade warping during the heat treatment and paring knife being smaller , it would be safer. If you want extra safety you can grind everything after Heat treatment ,as long as you keep dipping your blade to water to prevent overheating you should be fine. No gloves grinding after HT for me.
If you find a similar knife you want to model your knife after it would be lot easier, you can monitor the thickness , grind, cutting performance and the ratio of blade to handle lot easier.
A belt grinder is really essential , otherwise you will have to lots of handsanding . I hope it helps

 

Grand mothers love paring knives. Grab a shun classic paring knife and mimick it after that (with your own style of course).

 

Thankyou for all the help. I wish I had the money for a belt grinder. I'm thinking about making one for my senior project next year.