Jantz Kit Knife-Lynx

[whitebuffalo58]

I bought this kit knife about 12 years ago, and was informed by a certified bladesmith that only wuss's built kit knives. So, not wanting to offend the man who was going to show me the ins & outs of knifemaking, I pretended to throw it away. Instead, I stashed it in the back of a drawer in my toolbox.
Well, I may be a wuss, but when I came across it the other day, I had to give it a try. It was actually alot of fun to build! I could of fancied it up a bit with filework and/or coined liners. But, decided to keep it simple, more in tune with EDC. The Lynx is a great design. It fits well in the hand and it's a lockback! If I had one thing to critique about the design, it would be that they could've used a bit stronger return spring under the lockbar. Other then that, it's a real nice knife.
Personally, I get a lot more satisfaction building knives from scratch or rebuilding vintage knives. But, if you want to learn how a knife works and have limited machinery, I highly recommend giving a kit knife a try. Go ahead, I won't call you a wuss!
Here's how this one turned out.

WB

[philco]

Not bad for a wuss!

[jerryd6818]

That's pretty slick. I like the lines.

[whitebuffalo58]

Not bad for a wuss!

Yah buddy, but my momentary lapse of manliness, net me a pretty decent knife, so I can live with it.

Jerry, it is a sleek design. I made up some patterns before putting it together and may try doing a few from scratch.

Thanks guys,

WB

[jerryd6818]

White Buffalo Custom Knives

What a great idea. Only problem with that is when you go pro, we won't be able to afford you anymore. Maybe I should get a knife to you to before you become famous.

Edit: Where the heck is my brain. I already have a White Buffalo Custom.

[whitebuffalo58]

I think you've got time, Jerry. The way things go nowadays, the only thing pro in my life, will likely be Prozac!

WB

[jerryd6818]

Thanks WB. I needed that.

[glennbad]

That came out pretty nice. No disrespect to your knife-making friend, but that's kind of a rotten thing to say. Anything that promotes the knife hobby should not be put down.

I started out many years ago doing fixed blade builds with blades bought through Jantz. If I didn't have a head start in the process, I might have gotten discouraged and given up trying to build them.

Glenn

[whitebuffalo58]

Thanks Glenn!
I hear ya, but it seems that was the general attitude amongst knifemakers, atleast back then. I went along with him to a couple of custom shows, there was a guy there selling finished kit knives. Just listening to the general conversation, it seemed there were quite a few that didn't see the things he was selling as belonging in a custom knife venue. They had kind of a purist attitude towards it. I think part of their problem was that he was selling more knives then most of them. But, he had his knives priced accordingly and he wasn't hiding the fact that they were built from kits. So to me, it was no harm, no foul.

WB

[royal0014]

That's a real stig-picker

Put it in 'yer pocket 'n be proud!

[orvet]

Kits are a great way to start. I have built a bunch of them.
It helps you see and understand the way a knife works without broken or worn pieces.
I learned a lot from them.

Nice job on the kit BTW!