Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
- Messages
- 38,507
2012 CHRISTMAS KITH
This thread is for all those interested in joining the 2012 KITH.
While it is usually called the Christmas KITH, it can be a Hanukkah KITH, Winter Solstice KITH, KITHtivus, etc. The purpose is to make a knife and give it away to another knifemaker. In return you will get a knife from someone. No one will know who they are making the knife for until after the knife is finished, and no one will know who they will receive a knife from until it arrives in the mail.
What is a KITH?
The term comes from the days of the depression, when men would sit and whittle while waiting for work. At the end of the day/week, they would put all their knives in a hat, and cover it with a kerchief. Each man took out a knife, and it was his new knife for the next day/week. They would do this repeatedly to make some joy out of a bad situation.
The exchange was known as a Knife In The Hat . KITH for short.
Today a KITH is any blind knife or gift exchange.
SOME BASIC RULES :
1) Entrants are Bladeforums Shop Talk members who have been a member since January 2012. They should have made enough knives to have gained the needed skills to complete a good quality knife. Ten knives completed is suggested as a good guideline.
2) The entrant must make, finish, and box the knife by or before December 1, 2012. Once finished, the maker can then post on the 2012 KITH - Im Ready thread. This thread will be posted starting November 1, 2012. Photos of the completed knives should be posted on the separate KITH Photos thread. The KITH closes at midnight Dec 1, 2012.
3) By December 10, 2012, or sooner, I will make a list of the entrants who have posted on the Im Ready thread. I will use a random generator to match each name to another on the list. I will then email the name, contact info, and an exact shipping label for their recipient to each person who completed a knife in the KITH. The entrant will ship the already boxed knife within five days of receipt of his recipient's label and info.
Shipping is recommended to be done by Priority Mail with tracking and insurance. The tracking number should be emailed to me as soon as the box is shipped.
About the knives:
The entry can be any knife or bladesmith related item. Fixed blade, folder, axe, hawk, sword, etc. The only requirement is that it be made by the submitter ( For simplicity, I will refer to it as knife). The workmanship should be of the best quality that you are able to do. Levels will vary depending on ability and experience, but if you feel your knife will be a suitable gift, then by all means enter. If you are just starting, and still learning the basics, perhaps sitting this year out would be best. The knife should be fully completed, and a sheath or case is advisable. You should provide all the pertinent information on the knife in a note to the recipient ( put this in the box). Outside services, such as Water Jet, Stabilization, and Heat Treatment are fine, but the workmanship on the knife should be yours. Kit knives are not permitted.
Those with questions on the suitability or eligibility of their knives should contact me by email before entering. Exceptions are made for those with advanced skills.
The value level of the knife is up to you . It should be something that will be happily received by the new owner, but levels of value will vary, depending on the maker and their circumstances. It is a fun gift exchange, not a swap meet. It is not about what you get back for what you put in. Some knives will be worth $100, and others will be worth $400. I would suggest that you keep the knives in the general range of $200 in value, but it is totally up to you. No one is obligated to go beyond their means to enter this KITH.
Please note that there will be shipping costs, including possible overseas shipping, as well as the costs of making the knife. Your ability to make a good quality knife, and the time and expenses should be considered before deciding to enter the KITH.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this KITH:
Post on this thread, Im In - I will make a knife by December 1, 2012.
Also, send an email to, sapelt@cox.net . Give me you real name, your forum name, shipping address, contact phone, and email. Any special delivery or other info should also be sent. If you don't want your real name posted in the KITH list, please state that in your email.
At this point, that is all you need to do. I will keep track of those who are interested in participating. I will post the Im Ready thread on November 1, 2012. If you dont finish the knife, or if there is a conflict of schedule, there is no problem this way - the recipients are only drawn from those who have completed their entry and posted Im Ready by Dec. 1, 2012.
Lets all have some fun and make some truly worthy knives.
Stacy E. Apelt, FSA,Scot
This thread is for all those interested in joining the 2012 KITH.
While it is usually called the Christmas KITH, it can be a Hanukkah KITH, Winter Solstice KITH, KITHtivus, etc. The purpose is to make a knife and give it away to another knifemaker. In return you will get a knife from someone. No one will know who they are making the knife for until after the knife is finished, and no one will know who they will receive a knife from until it arrives in the mail.
What is a KITH?
The term comes from the days of the depression, when men would sit and whittle while waiting for work. At the end of the day/week, they would put all their knives in a hat, and cover it with a kerchief. Each man took out a knife, and it was his new knife for the next day/week. They would do this repeatedly to make some joy out of a bad situation.
The exchange was known as a Knife In The Hat . KITH for short.
Today a KITH is any blind knife or gift exchange.
SOME BASIC RULES :
1) Entrants are Bladeforums Shop Talk members who have been a member since January 2012. They should have made enough knives to have gained the needed skills to complete a good quality knife. Ten knives completed is suggested as a good guideline.
2) The entrant must make, finish, and box the knife by or before December 1, 2012. Once finished, the maker can then post on the 2012 KITH - Im Ready thread. This thread will be posted starting November 1, 2012. Photos of the completed knives should be posted on the separate KITH Photos thread. The KITH closes at midnight Dec 1, 2012.
3) By December 10, 2012, or sooner, I will make a list of the entrants who have posted on the Im Ready thread. I will use a random generator to match each name to another on the list. I will then email the name, contact info, and an exact shipping label for their recipient to each person who completed a knife in the KITH. The entrant will ship the already boxed knife within five days of receipt of his recipient's label and info.
Shipping is recommended to be done by Priority Mail with tracking and insurance. The tracking number should be emailed to me as soon as the box is shipped.
About the knives:
The entry can be any knife or bladesmith related item. Fixed blade, folder, axe, hawk, sword, etc. The only requirement is that it be made by the submitter ( For simplicity, I will refer to it as knife). The workmanship should be of the best quality that you are able to do. Levels will vary depending on ability and experience, but if you feel your knife will be a suitable gift, then by all means enter. If you are just starting, and still learning the basics, perhaps sitting this year out would be best. The knife should be fully completed, and a sheath or case is advisable. You should provide all the pertinent information on the knife in a note to the recipient ( put this in the box). Outside services, such as Water Jet, Stabilization, and Heat Treatment are fine, but the workmanship on the knife should be yours. Kit knives are not permitted.
Those with questions on the suitability or eligibility of their knives should contact me by email before entering. Exceptions are made for those with advanced skills.
The value level of the knife is up to you . It should be something that will be happily received by the new owner, but levels of value will vary, depending on the maker and their circumstances. It is a fun gift exchange, not a swap meet. It is not about what you get back for what you put in. Some knives will be worth $100, and others will be worth $400. I would suggest that you keep the knives in the general range of $200 in value, but it is totally up to you. No one is obligated to go beyond their means to enter this KITH.
Please note that there will be shipping costs, including possible overseas shipping, as well as the costs of making the knife. Your ability to make a good quality knife, and the time and expenses should be considered before deciding to enter the KITH.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this KITH:
Post on this thread, Im In - I will make a knife by December 1, 2012.
Also, send an email to, sapelt@cox.net . Give me you real name, your forum name, shipping address, contact phone, and email. Any special delivery or other info should also be sent. If you don't want your real name posted in the KITH list, please state that in your email.
At this point, that is all you need to do. I will keep track of those who are interested in participating. I will post the Im Ready thread on November 1, 2012. If you dont finish the knife, or if there is a conflict of schedule, there is no problem this way - the recipients are only drawn from those who have completed their entry and posted Im Ready by Dec. 1, 2012.
Lets all have some fun and make some truly worthy knives.
Stacy E. Apelt, FSA,Scot
Last edited:
