A Kick-Ass Groomsmen Gift...

B

bartsteed

Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Messages
8
I am getting married soon and would really like to give my wedding party handmade gifts, as opposed to just buying something. I dabble in woodworking and have recently invested in some leathercrafting, as well. Other than blacksmithing, I possess all of the skills & tools necessary to make a really great, custom-gripped knife and sheath. I think this would make a KICK ASS gift for my groomsmen.

I've been looking for knife blanks online and it appears than most of the stuff from the big websites are just Chinese garbage. I don't want to spend a fortune but I don't want junk, either. I need 8 blades (not sure what kind yet). These blades need to be pre-hardened and ground, as I do not have the means to do either, myself.

Where would you turn for something in the range of $40-50 bucks per blade? Am I dreaming?

Thanks for reading and hopefully shedding some light on my situation. Cheers!
 
First off, Congrats on the upcoming marriage!
Alabama Damascus Has some nice blades. I'm not sure if Damascus Steel is what you are going for but it is in your price range and I believe they meet your specifications. Here is their website-
http://www.alabamadamascussteel.com/damascus-knife-blades/

I will admit, I don't have any experience with them or any other company when it comes to purchasing pre-ground blades. I have heard good things from Alabama Damascus though.
Others will chime in, I'm sure. I hope this helps!
Tanner S.
 
xXBackyardCrafterXx said:
First off, Congrats on the upcoming marriage!
Alabama Damascus Has some nice blades. I'm not sure if Damascus Steel is what you are going for but it is in your price range and I believe they meet your specifications. Here is their website-
http://www.alabamadamascussteel.com/damascus-knife-blades/

I will admit, I don't have any experience with them or any other company when it comes to purchasing pre-ground blades. I have heard good things from Alabama Damascus though.
Others will chime in, I'm sure. I hope this helps!
Tanner S.
Click to expand...

Thank you and I appreciate it! I'll check them out. Call me a traditionalist but I like the classic steel blade over these damascus steel blades. They are cool in their own way but I think I'd prefer a classic steel. Again, thank you all the same!
 
No Problem! I understand that sentiment and I can relate to it to a degree :)
USA Knifemaker carries some "plain" blades but I think most of them are made in China. Here is their website;
http://usaknifemaker.com/

I hope this link is of more use to you ;)
 
I second Jantz sounds like exactly what your looking for. Lots of blade designs with options in steel also.
 
Most blades Ragnar offers are under $30. I turned to him looking for laminated blades and I was not disappointed. I did pay more for one large forged high carbon Finnish blade that I didn't like. It was a big camp knife type and the blade angle was stupid steep. I re-ground that one to be more to my liking but it's still a big coarse sort of knife. The Helle and Mora blades are terrific value in my opinion.
 
Gee, I'm so frustrated. I cannot get a photo to upload on this forum. I get all the way through to the end and then the upload fails every time. I just tried to pose this question as a new thread and that failed too :grumpy:
 
Just trying one more time for the heck of it. Nope it chewed on it for about 2 minutes and then gave the "upload failed" message.
 
Wow thank you all so much. Im anxious to review these options. I truly appreciate your time. Ill post back soon.
 
JANTZ has a huge selection of blanks ranging from small to large and all different types of steel, they are the way to go.
 
Jantz doesn't mention where that blade is made though... I guess ita okay if you guys are saying they are quality. I do like the look of that one.
 
Trying the Kdog suggestion. It has taken much time to get some photos onto Photo Bucket. Now I try to move one here. If I succeed this will be a shot of a Helle blade I got from Ragnar. I just finished it last week.

4825b904-2438-4b0f-a67f-a3a91b99f0a6_zpseykyiej6.jpg
 
bartsteed said:
Jantz doesn't mention where that blade is made though... I guess ita okay if you guys are saying they are quality. I do like the look of that one.
Click to expand...

I spoke with a very helpful and friendly woman at Jantz. As of right now, I'm sold on the SS458K Sioux Hunter Kit/Brass. Beautiful lines, traditional finish and it will sheath well. The blade is made in Japan, according to this woman.
 
RedFury said:
Trying the Kdog suggestion. It has taken much time to get some photos onto Photo Bucket. Now I try to move one here. If I succeed this will be a shot of a Helle blade I got from Ragnar. I just finished it last week.

4825b904-2438-4b0f-a67f-a3a91b99f0a6_zpseykyiej6.jpg
Click to expand...

VERY NICE WORK! I like it but the prices that I am seeing on their website are out of my budget, unfortunately.

My only fear now is soldering the bolsters (which I didn't know you have to do, lol). Time to watch some YouTube! :)

Thank you for all of your help. I plan to order the SS458K from Jantz. It comes with everything I need (even birdseye maple handles, that I can use for patterns). $39/ea is a GREAT price, if the blade is as good as it's reputation. I'll post pictures of my final product(s) here, for those of you who'd be interested in how they turn out.

Happy making!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top