Do you try to be frugal with materials?

D

Don Nguyen

Joined
Oct 4, 2011
Messages
1,043
I just bought my first set of nicer handle materials. I was going to be frugal with them and make use of as much of each piece... but then I noticed a spectacular combination of two of the pieces that I can no longer un-see. I'm going to have to use both of them in the same handle, even though I just doubled the handle cost. I feel bad about it, but it just feels right.

Is anyone on the same page as me? I'll have to take pictures later.
 
It depends on the material and what you mean by "frugal".

I pay extra for surface-ground steel because it saves me time and belts. I buy the best belts I can because they last longer. That's not "cheap" but it works out fine.

I buy synthetics like G10 in as big of pieces as I can afford, because that ends up with less cost and less waste than buying pre-cut scales. When it comes to exotic woods, I do the same whenever possible... I recently picked up a lovely chunk of nicely-figured cocobolo large enough for at least four handles locally, for the same cost as ordering-in two unseen sets of scales from the usual knifemaker supply houses.

But sometimes you just have to use what's right for the knife. Are you sure you have to use all of both pieces? Sometimes "waste" from a nice chunk can be used later for a nice spacer or accent.
 
Last edited:
I use up materials till there is nothing left useable. When the forge is back online, I will use the rest of the small pieces. It is good to not waste if you can, but definitely do what you must for that special knife. Just don't throw away the scrap.
 
I am frugal and wise, I will always cut things a little bigger and not afraid of using up handle material. This works out in the long run because if you cut short you will not be able to use it at all until you have another knife that it will fit. The cost of materials for me is small compared to time. If there is a cut of material that will add pop to the knife I always go for it. This happens quite a bit when I buy large pieces of burl and cut it down to send out for stabilization.
 
Patrickknives said:
I am frugal and wise, I will always cut things a little bigger and not afraid of using up handle material. This works out in the long run because if you cut short you will not be able to use it at all until you have another knife that it will fit. The cost of materials for me is small compared to time. If there is a cut of material that will add pop to the knife I always go for it. This happens quite a bit when I buy large pieces of burl and cut it down to send out for stabilization.
Click to expand...

I use the same approach towards exopxy.

The first good glue I use was a Loctite Hysol at $30 a tube.
I had a tendency to be skint with it, but running short in the middle of a glue up is a real pain.


I'd like to use some mammoth ivory, but having it fall to pieces on me may just about kill me.
Fancy high dollar wood is cheap and rugged by comparison.
 
By being frugal in one area I can splurge in another. By this I mean, if i have a knife order I make several at a time. I forge using propane. After the initial heat up I start forging. While that one reheats I forge another one, and so on. While its work, it allows me optimal use of the gas. I may not save much but I can justify that 60.00 piece of ironwood much better to my wife. With belts use thhe grit till its worn. Then regulate it to wood working on the handles. Its not much, but it helps.
 
IMG_0940.jpg

IMG_0943.jpg


The blue and black I'm wanting to combine into one handle. It would result in one complete handle with a couple scrap pieces.

EDIT: I should learn how to use this camera better. I lost the card adapter for my other one, which I could at least figure out how to adjust lighting and focus...
 
Those are nice pieces. Cut them whichever way you like the grain/pattern the best, and figure their cost into the total cost of the knife. Anything left over is a bonus.
 
james terrio said:
Those are nice pieces. Cut them whichever way you like the grain/pattern the best, and figure their cost into the total cost of the knife. Anything left over is a bonus.
Click to expand...

I agree with James T's advice.
In your case Don you would have real good ferrule/bolster/end cap material left over for kitchen knives.
 
I keep really good cutoffs for bolsters and to give to friends who do bolsters. I toss all the other cutoffs and trimmings in a trash can in the corner. Every year, when winter finally gets here, I lug it inside on a cold morning and light my annual "$1000 fire". I figure there must be at least that much cost in all that burl and rare wood I will burn. As I feed it to the fire, I find cutoffs and pieces that I like and set them aside for later use. Some ends up getting tossed in the fire later, anyway.

Steel scraps get tossed in a box. I dump it from time to time, but somehow it seems evil to put steel in the trash.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top