Anyone Ever Assemble/Build a "Kit" Knife?

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Tophernj

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I probably should have done this BEFORE I ordered the kit, but better late than never...



I picked up a knife kit from Texas Knife Supply. Cool little Tanto style folder. Ordered some scale material as well. Just wondering if anyone has ever gone this route and how it turned out. Any issues with durability? Quality of components? Any issues with the process? Happy with the outcome?



If you have pictures please post them. I would like to see them.



C
 
I've wondered about those. Can you get a knife that is better quality for the same amount of money with a kit, or are you pretty much just paying for a project?
 
Wellllll, sometimes yes you can. If you're building one of the folders from knifekits.com you could end up making a nice folder with features you want a bit cheaper than you would buy, but mostly it is the satisfaction of making a knife the way YOU want it and the experience that teaches you that you can customize production pieces that just aren't quite "right" or move on to building your own.

The first kit I put together was a boot knife. I bought the blade finished, picked out the guard I wanted, put a zebra wood handle on it and had a local leather worker make the sheath for me. It was beautiful, to me, and I got lots of compliments on it and surprising money offered for it. I made a wedding gift of it and a sgian dubh for friends getting married in a big SCA ceremony. Those two knives got as much attention as anything else gifted to the couple and I got several requests to make more. I did it for fun and gave them as gifts back then.
 
Here it is and here we go!

Nifty little kit. Blade is ground on one side only and I was hoping to get a pocket clip but didn't. It's all good as I am going to make another order for some steel and try my hand at a fixed blade shortly. Let's see how this goes first, tho.

C
 

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Many Moons ago a Buddy purcsased a knife kit from somewhere then talked me into finishing the knife for him. I started then making knives using the stock removal method , O-1 and D-2 tool steel and the designs of the late , great , Bob Loveless. I sold quite a few but then other interests prevailed.
 
I thought about doing a kit or two but never did, instead I ordered a grinder and steel and started making knives. Nothing wrong with making a kit but grinding the steel is where the big fun is at.
 
"I ordered a grinder and steel and started making knives."

I picked up a nice Bader II grinder a couple years ago. Tried my hand at it ... now it is getting dusty, as I can't seem to do it right. Terrible grind lines, mistakes and more mistakes ...

Now if I want a new knife, I buy the finished blade and go from there. That I can do!
 
Valkman said:
I thought about doing a kit or two but never did, instead I ordered a grinder and steel and started making knives. Nothing wrong with making a kit but grinding the steel is where the big fun is at.
Click to expand...
Yep, grinding sure is fun. I started with a 1 HP 6"x48" belt sander then I built a grinder with an 8" contact wheel, 132" belt so I could hollow grind.
 
I picked up a nice Bader II grinder a couple years ago. Tried my hand at it ... now it is getting dusty, as I can't seem to do it right. Terrible grind lines, mistakes and more mistakes ...
Click to expand...

If you don't have someone to show you how to grind (I did not) it is a long process with a lot of failures along the way. BUT, when you finally "get it" and start producing good grinds one after another it's all worth it. I just threw away 20lbs of knives that I ground that had something wrong with them - everyone goes through that.

I would seriously try to find a knifemaker in your area who will help you - the learning curve is much easier that way.

Edit: I looked up "Florida Knifemakers" and found this link - see if anyone is near you and give 'em a call! http://www.floridaknifemakers.org/
 
That's how I got started making fixed blades. I still prefer the pre finished blades as my grinding has a long way to go till it's good.
 
I thought about doing a kit or two but never did, instead I ordered a grinder and steel and started making knives. Nothing wrong with making a kit but grinding the steel is where the big fun is at.
Click to expand...

Same here...Bader BIII , I just ground a good bit of paint sticks and scrap mild steel for the first couple weeks, only way to get better , repetition.
 
Think I'm going to try to forge/make my first knife after I'm free from the burden of the exam of my life in t minus 3 weeks. I am not particularly handy, so we'll so how that goes
 
Well, FWIW I just ordered several pieces of steel and some handle material. I'm gonna give it a go. I have a feeling it will be a good bit of fun and since they are for me, and only me, it should go just fine.

C
 
I'm looking forward to it. I have spoken to a "local" knife maker and he has graciously offered to give me some tips. Until then, I'm gonna work on this little kit knife.

I got the scales cut and shaped. Gonna try and finish them up this evening. I will update with pics in a bit.

C

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