First Knife Kit Issue

[lloydxmas250]

Hello all,

I was looking to get into knife making and as I don't want to get too complex already (babysteps) I decided to purchase the bearcat knife kit from Jantz Supply. I ordered the 2 ton epoxy as well and after sitting around giddy with anticipation I received it in the mail today. Only one problem. The kit comes with (as correctly stated on the description of the kit) two 3/16" pins. It didn't mention the tang hole sizes and since it's a kit I assumed that they were also 3/16" but they're actually 1/4". When you view the bearcat blade alone it mentions 1/4" tang holes but not when looking at the kit details.

My question is: is it ok to use the smaller pins even though they seem awkwardly small? Or should I just go and order the 1/4" pins? I really don't want to wait more (and I really don't want to pay for shipping and handling for two pins), but I want to do this right. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Bailey Knives]

1/4 inch stock is pretty easy to find. I have used 1/4" brake line in the past, and you might be able to get 1/4" stock from home depot or tractor supply. I would personally use the 1/4" pins...I dont like a lot of slop when I am putting it all together.

 

[lloydxmas250]

Thanks for the response and sorry for this ignorance but what exactly would I be looking for at Home Depot? Is it a specific type of pin that I need to ask for or could any kind of metal pin work once epoxied and sanded down?

 

[Bailey Knives]

If they have stainless, I would use that...but I have used regular mild steel. It will patina with use. Just ask for quarter inch rod stock, and see what they have. Stainless brake line works well to and makes for a nice lanyard tube.

 

[lloydxmas250]

Thanks for the help. Next time I'll just do more research and won't buy the kits if that's going to be the issue. Another quick question. Clearly they sent what they advertised but I ask why do the send 3/16 for 1/4 tang holes? Is it ok to use them? Just a personal preference thing? I know I'm the type that is bugged by it but is it possible to still use them?

 

[crocogator106]

I'd try to get some 1/4" pins to use and save the others for a later knife project. Just my 2 cents worth. Like Bailey said you an get 1/4" mild steel at Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, Russell Do It Center, or just about any hardware store for only a few buck. I have used it but I prefer stainless or brass (which can also be found at some of the various hardware stores. The brake lines can be purchased at any auto parts store and you can use them in all your knives holes (actually looks pretty good). The pins are pretty much for looks anyway and don't give a whole lot of strength in holding the scales on.

 

[lloydxmas250]

Thanks. This is really more of a trial knife than anything special so although the mild steel may not look as nice it would work. Although would rust become an issue?

I'm planning on making a nice fillet knife for my father in law who is a big fisher. I plan on using mosaic pins and nicer wood with that one (I'm using dymondwood one this first one). I'm thinking a nice exotic wood. So this initial knife is to make sure I can grasp the basic concepts.

 

[james terrio]

The pins are pretty much for looks anyway and don't give a whole lot of strength in holding the scales on.

Without going on a rant, I have to disagree. Look up the Glue Wars thread from a few years ago... it's fairly easy to knock loose scales held on only by just about every adhesive they tried. I would rather have pins and no epoxy, than epoxy and no pins.

 

[bdmicarta]

You can use 3/16" pins with no problem. When you epoxy the scales on the extra space between the pins and the tang will fill with epoxy. Bigger pins might be a little bit stronger because they have more surface area for the epoxy to bond too, but the difference in hole diameter in the tang is probably not significant.

 

[fumbler]

Thanks for the help. Next time I'll just do more research and won't buy the kits if that's going to be the issue. Another quick question. Clearly they sent what they advertised but I ask why do the send 3/16 for 1/4 tang holes? Is it ok to use them? Just a personal preference thing? I know I'm the type that is bugged by it but is it possible to still use them?

They probably send 3/16" pins with 1/4" holes because they'll definitely go in. If you drill a 1/4" hole in a piece of steel and try to put a 1/4" pin through it then there's a good chance the pin won't fit. For something to fit through a hole it has to be smaller. Duh, right? Well, a 0.250" pin isn't smaller than a 0.250" hole; they're the same size. If they sold the kits with 1/4" pins they'll probably get complaints about the pins being too tight. If you want to use pins that match the size of the holes then you need to drill your holes a tiny bit bigger or sand the pins down til they fit.