Magic Forums

I've been wanting to make an Athame, but can't actually forge one myself. My father has an unused hunting knife(it's mainly for show) that fits the general description of an Athame and I realy feel like I can use it for magick. I guess my question is will it work and how do I bless it? I've read alot of different views on blessing/consecraiteing an Athame and I don't know which way is the best. Oh and I am a solitary practicioner, so I have to do all of the blessing an ld consecraiting myself.