Can I Build A Knife?

[zed6309]

I made one of these kits a few years ago , it actually helped me understanding things a bit more for when I started restoring and re handling old knives , good start in my book but not everything is 100% fit in these kits but adds that learning curve

[Colonel26]

Very good David! It looks to me like you did a fantastic job.

[royal0014]

Here are the 3 knife kits that I’ve done so far.

Not too bad for an ol' Swabby . . .


Seriously though, mark me impressed.

[KLJ77]

Awesome builds, David. I really like the looks of that Trapper.

[zed6309]

Great job

[Mumbleypeg]

For those interested in building your own: https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-12-pc-4-TR ... SwsaRgAKLi. Says he has 10 of these kits but I notice the kits don’t appear to have shields, so you’ll have to make your own.

Looks like the seller bought some stuff from the Queen bankruptcy auction. He’s selling other parts too.

Ken

[cudgee]

Here are the 3 knife kits that I’ve done so far.
The first one you’ve seen already, a single blade lockback 3 3/8” closed.
The second one is also a single blade lockback with bolsters on both ends. 3 ½” closed.
The third one is a 2 blade trapper, nickel silver bolsters, brass liners and pins. All 3 have wood scales.

On all 3 knives the blades are tight, with no wobble. When opened all blades are secure with no movement and when closed the alignment is near perfect except for the second lockback.

There are still some small scratches in the wood and a small crack near a pin on the trapper.

All blades are still unpolished and have no edge. My youngest son has some professional equipment for sharping knives and I will have him do that task. He sharpens knives for several restaurant and hotel chefs in the local area.

If you’ve never done one of these knife kits, they come with all parts separated. You shape and glue the wood to the liners, cut the pins and when the knife is assembled you grind, shape and polish all the metal, wood and pins to the finished product.
Overall I would give myself a B+ and move on to replacing the scales on a couple of old knives. However I do intend to keep doing some more knife kits.

I have a metal stamp kit that I’m ordering with letters and numbers along with one that has the shape of Texas. I plan on marking my knife kits with my initials and the state of Texas on the tang.

I welcome any and all feedback on my little adventure in knife kits.

Great work, and a good learning curve for you and people following this thread. I'm really interested in the metal stamp kit you are ordering, make sure you post photos and give us a report when it arrives.

[dlr110]

Cudgee, I'm sorry to report that the stamping kit that I ordered on Amazon was not right for using on carbon or stainless blades. They were for crafts so I gave them to Cheryl. I will order a set from a knife making supply store, but I still have my one that is the state of Texas outline that I think will work. Proof's in the pudding as some say, I let you know.

[cudgee]

Cudgee, I'm sorry to report that the stamping kit that I ordered on Amazon was not right for using on carbon or stainless blades. They were for crafts so I gave them to Cheryl. I will order a set from a knife making supply store, but I still have my one that is the state of Texas outline that I think will work. Proof's in the pudding as some say, I let you know.

Thanks mate, take care.

[dlr110]

Here we are again, another kit knife I’ve completed.
The Premium S Series knife Making Blank Kit, Amber Stag Bone Laguiole Folder.
This one had its challenges but was fun to do.

The first thing I did was get the Bolsters smoothed out, then I tried a new B-7000 glue on the scales, clamped and let them dry overnight. Then I sanded and shaped the scales to the look and size I wanted and to make them flush with the liners. Now I inserted the blade and bolster pins, clamped the knife in a vise (with rubber pads), lined up and inserted the backspring pin. Next I inserted the brass scale pins and then peened and/or sanded all pins to final shape. Using my Dremel I did a final touch-up sanding on the scales, bolsters, liners and backspring with 2,000 and then 7,000 grit paper. I used some Murphy Oil Soap and toothbrush to lightly clean the scales and some metal polish on the bolsters and blade. Walla, one new knife.

The one lesson from this knife is I need to practice and get better with the pins.

[Reverand]

Not only a fun hobby, but you make nice looking useful knives, too!
Try taking apart and repairing a couple of old knives. I think that you would enjoy that as well.