Canadian Sources

D

Dav

Joined
Mar 19, 2000
Messages
94
While I appreciate the information on this forum it is decidedly 'American' (not that there's anything wrong with that!!). I was wondering if there's anyone out there that can recommend a Canadian supplier of things like Kydex (I saw a recent reference to Calgary), micarta scales, steels, etc.

Does there exsist a canadian listing for these items?

Before anyone starts slagging me for what may appear to be anti-american sentiments please let me put your minds to rest. The canadian dollar (AKA the Peso, Piaster,etc.) doesn't like to go south and when it does, it gets the crap beaten out of it! In addition to the rate exchange, time for transport, bonded shipping and insurance the cost of a simple piece of steel gets heavy. Along with that, over exhuberant Customs officers perceive everything coming from the States as weapons grade potential and treats it like a nuclear weapon! (I hope that the officers of Canada Customs are enjoying the tapes I have procurred from Mr. Blade and will forward them to me sometime this month!)

With all the above stated, I have begun to develop several people that are interested in custom knives and they have seen some of my pattern knives. One of them is even considering opening his check book! Fingers crossed!

All the Best

Dileas Gu Brath
 
Hey Dav,
There is no appreciable antiCanadian prejudice in BFF that I've seen. We even have our own forum and many of the members here are Canadians. Heck, we even have some from the West
biggrin.gif
. Our American cousins may not always understand us, but then again, neither do I.
Seriously, some of our foremost makers and dealers etc frequent these forums. If some of the many Canuckian members don't answer your question, and I'd be surprised if they don't, some links to help you might be available through the CKG site. Personally, I don't have the answer to your question.
 
Hey Dav

There must be an echo around here. I faced a similar dilemma around here a while ago. I come to this forum for advice primarily and if the flavor is American, it's one of my favorite flavors.

Like you though, I'm getting tired of our perpetually weak dollar and even with free trade, canada customs collects taxes at the border and charges you an extra five bucks for the priviledge of getting fleeced.

There is a Canadian Connection here on Blade Forums under the "community" heading at the top of the page.

In addition, I've started a Canadian Sources page on my web site. It has a long way to grow but it is a start and I'm happy to list any others that send me their info.

As a quick tip, try Jim Downie in Port Franks Ontario. He is a great maker, a friendly source of information and a supplier of just about everything knifemaking. If he doesn't stock it, he can tell you who does.

Lastly, don't discount the international sources completely. They are often still the best price even with all the hassles of shipping, customs and exchangfe.

Hope this helps



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Rob Ridley
Ranger Original Handcrafted Knives
 
Hi Dav; I am lucky enough that to have House of Tools in Calgary as my supplier of knifemaking supplies and equipment. They do have a website you can probably order stuff through. They only sell the basic stuff though. Steel, Diamondwood, bolster stock, pin material, etc. You will probably have to go the US for the more specialized stuff. There is a fellow in Ontario (Jim Downie) that sells material as well. You can hit his site through the Canadian Knifemakers Guild page. As to stuff like kydex, I would be very suprised if you couldn't source that locally. Kydex is used in many non-knife related applications like the Pin-Pad holders for interac purchases. Check out the plastics suppliers in your yellow pages. You can also try hitting Rob Ridley's (Ranger Knives) website. I know he was putting together a Canadian suppliers link list. Hope this helps.

Aka; Totally Tactical

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President of Knifemakers Anonymous - "The sickness can be cured!" Call 1-800-cutfingers
 


Hello Dav,


I have to second the suggestion of Jim Downie, I have ordered from him plenty (he gets me when I'm at the Bayfield show the most
smile.gif
) and his prices and service is top notch. His number is (519)243-2290. Hope this helps

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KSwinamer

Atheism....A non-prophet organization
 
Anti-American eh? Ha ha, as an American on this forum I wanted to let you know that I didn't feel any kind of annoyance by your query. We're all trying to do the same thing: make knives the best we can while saving as much money as we can on our supplies.

Best of luck to you.
Nick
 
A few months ago, around February or March, a supplier's was compiled with input from the folks that frequent this forum. Check it out in the archives. If there is ANY information or a supplier that ANYONE would like to add, please email me or post it here on the forum so they may be added to the list. I plan on revisiting the list every so often to keep it updated.

Let's not limit this to North America, if any of the folks "across the pond" would like a list of their suppliers added, just let me know.



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C Wilkins
................
I don't care about no fightin' in Bosnia, I don't care about no trade with China! I just want to know when "they" are gonna do something about these God forsaken FIRE ANTS!!!
 
Let me state that there is no north/south Canadian/American conflict on this forum.
HOWEVER the eastern portion of the Great White North could get a lot colder this winter if HJK isn't carefull. He has been warned before as to how far I have to go to turn off the gas valve on that little old pipeline that keeps all you easterners warm.
I have found that most handle materials can be purchased from the source of intended use cheaper than buying from any knife supply house. eg: micarta is industrial electical insulation, Kydex is used in vacume forming of lugage, aircraft and automotive parts. The only catch is that you have to order full sheets of stuff. How many sets of scales in a 4ftX4ft sheet of micarta? Get together with other makers in your area and order a sheet and part it out, or contact the supplier, find out who his biggest user is and contact them for scraps. You will be supprized at the good **** industrial people throw throw out. I get all the material of a certian product I need for a case off beer every Christmas eve, drop it off and don't leave without anouther go thru there garbage bins. Steel is anouther problem all together as most carbon or stainless steels are considered specialty items. However most of these items ARE avaliable in Canada.

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Robert
Flat Land Knife Works
rdblad@telusplanet.net
http://members.tripod.com/knifeworks/index.html

[This message has been edited by R Dockrell (edited 06-08-2000).]
 
Robert:
of course if you're looking for titanium, according to the largest metal supplier in Calgary "you'll have a hard time finding that stuff in this part of the world"
tongue.gif

 
Largest metal supplier in Calgary? You aren't talking about Metal Supermarket are you? If a grade seven welding class doesn't use it, they don't stock it. No ATS34 - no ATS55 - No BG42 - No 440 or 420 of any flavour - no D2, 1095, 1084, 5160 - or as the lady said - "None of the weird stuff."

Oh well - can't complain - We are blessed with Black Forest Hardwoods.



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Rob Ridley
Ranger Original Handcrafted Knives
 
Thanks to everyone for their feedback. I am currently in 'negotiations' with several manufacturers that use products that I want to use and am trying to recover some of their throw away stock. Bakshi trading is alive and well in this part of the world!

Mr. Dockrell; If you shut off the gas pipe line to my part of the world, the 'important' part of Canada will change our currency without telling you! Besides, we get most of our heat from burning the methane that's produced from the bulls**t in Ottawa.

All the Best

Dileas Gu Brath
 
Sumo & Rob
Did I say I got anything in Calgary. Why is it that everyone in Alberta, North of Brooks and South of Red Deer thinks the world IS Calgary. I don't even have to go to Calgary to be insulted at the House Of *ools anymore, we got one in Medicine Hat.
There is a place 45 min. by air west of Calgary, putting it closer to Japan that has many usefull items avaliable in it. They might even have a better hockey team too.
As for you Dav I even purchase items from Eastern Canada to help support your failing looney-tooney econimy.
No insults implied, just venting.
2 hrs into a ATS-34 blade, A DAM INTERNAL FLAW IN THE METAL !!!!!

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Robert
Flat Land Knife Works
rdblad@telusplanet.net
http://members.tripod.com/knifeworks/index.html
 
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