Hey, All. . . I don't know if you can help me or not, but even a little direction would be great. I am an enamelist and metalsmith. . .I don't make knives. . .mostly jewelry and small sculpture (www.LouisesLeap.com).
I'd like to start a line of embellished pocket knives. . . .ideally I want to purchase knives that are already made, but with no "sides" on the handle. . .but perhaps a way to attach the vitreous-enamel-fused-to-metal hand-made sides that I would fabricate. (I'm envisioning cloisonne, but other types of enamel and/or repousee'd metal would also work. I can tap holes for screws, though I'm not sure I could do that if the sides are stainless. (I work in sterling, copper, brass and bronze).
So! I would also love to have American made knives. Do y'all have any idea who I might go to to find these items? If I can't find anything in a price range I can afford, I'd consider going with foreign made knives as well..
Thanks so much! Love! Barbara Louise, Louise's Leap Studios
Source for non-embellished folding blades
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BarbaraLouise
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jerryd6818
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- Location: Farther down the road.
Re: Source for non-embellished folding blades
Barbara, welcome to AAPK.
Please allow me to show you what a member here at AAPK did for me. I understand this is not exactly what you do but it demonstrates the possibilities available with the knives I'm going to recommend for your project.
This all started with a made in USA, plain Jane Kershaw 1660 Leek (I'm pretty sure the handles are aluminum. Some are stainless steel.
) as shown in the first picture. Robb (Whitebuffalo52) did some file work on the existing handles and added dyed bone using screws. I'm totally in love with the knife.
The Kershaw knives have an excellent reputation, are simple to disassemble and reassemble and come at what I consider a reasonable price. Do an eBay advanced search for completed auctions, search title "kershaw leek silver". (or "scallion" or "chive" or "shallot")
Others may have additional recommendations for you.
Please allow me to show you what a member here at AAPK did for me. I understand this is not exactly what you do but it demonstrates the possibilities available with the knives I'm going to recommend for your project.
This all started with a made in USA, plain Jane Kershaw 1660 Leek (I'm pretty sure the handles are aluminum. Some are stainless steel.
) as shown in the first picture. Robb (Whitebuffalo52) did some file work on the existing handles and added dyed bone using screws. I'm totally in love with the knife.The Kershaw knives have an excellent reputation, are simple to disassemble and reassemble and come at what I consider a reasonable price. Do an eBay advanced search for completed auctions, search title "kershaw leek silver". (or "scallion" or "chive" or "shallot")
Others may have additional recommendations for you.
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Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Elvis
- Posts: 2185
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 2:22 pm
- Location: Cincinnati, Ohio USA
Re: Source for non-embellished folding blades
One example of what you're trying to do (buy unfinished knives) has been accomplished by Michael Prater of "Painted Pony Knives". He's worked out a deal with W.R. Case & Son's to buy pocket knives with no handles and he either embellishes them or pours Corelon handles onto them. I know there is a licensing agreement involved, but know nothing of the details. This just tells me that it can be done, even with one of the largest knife makers out there. Jantz Knife Supply also sells completed knives just waiting for handles as I believe most knifemaker's supply places do. Going with an established company like Case, Queen, Bear & Son's or GEC (apologies to whoever I left out) will likely cost you more, but may pay-off later for carrying quality products.
Most knife liners are brass although there are some nickel-silver ones still being made (the possibility of stainless steel is there too). As a "knife mechanic" I feel you should be warned about the new trend of Chinese knives that have been in the marketplace for a few years. While some folks are quite happy with their performance (one gent that used to visit here did some beautiful engraving on them), the brass liners on the Chinese knives I've worked on are VERY soft. I wouldn't trust a screw in it because of that. I was very pleased to hear you want to go with a domestic maker. Those Chinese folders are simply not meant to be repaired.
The good thing about advice is that you don't have to take it.
I just thought I'd pass along a couple of things off the top of my head that may help you decide on a direction. You can even open your own store right here on AAPK. Best of luck and I look forward to seeing some of your work.
Most knife liners are brass although there are some nickel-silver ones still being made (the possibility of stainless steel is there too). As a "knife mechanic" I feel you should be warned about the new trend of Chinese knives that have been in the marketplace for a few years. While some folks are quite happy with their performance (one gent that used to visit here did some beautiful engraving on them), the brass liners on the Chinese knives I've worked on are VERY soft. I wouldn't trust a screw in it because of that. I was very pleased to hear you want to go with a domestic maker. Those Chinese folders are simply not meant to be repaired.
The good thing about advice is that you don't have to take it.
I just thought I'd pass along a couple of things off the top of my head that may help you decide on a direction. You can even open your own store right here on AAPK. Best of luck and I look forward to seeing some of your work.