Has anyone used Admiral's laser-cutting?

Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
5,786
I was contemplating having 6 or 7 blade blanks laser cut by Admiral from 1/16" stainless in a Santoku pattern. I wanted to finish them up and possibly sell them. Has anyone used Admiral's laser cutting service, and what were the prices like?

------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html

 
Got 25 drop point blanks on order right now with Admiral. I'll post a pic and opinion on their work when I get em. Take care! MIchael

------------------

Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!
 
L6

I think there are a lot of us interested in the price for a run of 25. I know I am.

If you could post how much it was and the particulars such as what type of steel, the specs on thickness and finally the price.

Like Chiro said if you can't post the price I would really apprceiate an email. I have been interested in getting some laser cut blanks from them for some time.

Thanks,

Jim

------------------
The warrior will endure great personal hardship in order to stand on a hill, howl at the moon, and proclaim his domain over all he surveys. Fredrick Lovert- Author
 
Might as well just tell it here as I am also interested.

------------------
It's only a mistake if you fail to learn from it!
 
This is the pattern I had cut out. <img src=http://members.aol.com/l6steel/ebay/dropoint.jpg>
Heres the blanks I got. <img src=http://members.aol.com/l6steel/ebay/blank.jpg>
This is the price breakdown.
3/16" 440C Laser cut to 9" blade

25 pcs - $11.43/ea
50 pcs - $9.74/ea
100 pcs - $8.84/ea
If you order any from them, make sure your pattern is about 1/8-3/16" larger in all dimensions than you want the final blade to be. I didn't know this, and Terry Summers didn't bother telling me. All 25 blanks are smaller and shorter than my original pattern, and thats not including the extra 1/16" I'm fixing to lose when I clean the edges up. Instead of a 9" drop point, I'll end up with an 8 3/4" blade. I know 1/4" aint much, but when you pay someone $285 to cut something out, you expect it to be accurate. I would reccomend Admiral, knowing what I know now, but I would also reccomend checking out other companies. If I owned Admiral, someone would be getting their walking papers tomorrow. I might be naive in expecting something to be cut to precise shapes and sizes, but I know they could have done a better job on these blanks. Take care! Michael


------------------ http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!

[This message has been edited by L6STEEL (edited 03-02-2000).]
 
I use a local company in Tampa for blanking out my Small Hunters. One thing I learned is that you might as well have them also cut the weight reduction and pin holes in the handle at the same time. They charge no more money for this and it saves me double the amount of time.
I also recommend, if at all possible creating your own DXF file so you can lazer print EXACTLY what your blank will look like.
OR have someone do this prior to cutting!
Neil

------------------
Blackwood Knives
More knives in stock! New Talonite models soon!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
Thats the whole shootin match Chiro.After shipping was added, the total was $300. That works out to $12 a pop.I'll let you folks know how they grind.

[This message has been edited by L6STEEL (edited 03-03-2000).]
 
One thing I did consider, but decided not to do, was to ask you forumites if anyone would be interested in combining an order for the blanks. You guys might wanna try that. If you get enough, you might be able to save some money. I didn't ask because I didn't think many folks would want the pattern I had cut out. Take care! Michael

------------------

Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!
 
L6,
What is the minimum number of blanks they'll cut?

And why did you figure that the blank you liked wouldn't be wanted by others? It looks like a good hunter blade.

------------------
~~TOM~~
 
Email Terry Summers ,sales@admiralsteel.com, for a definite answer, but I'm pretty sure he told me they will cut one out if thats all you want. I just figured folks would want other designs or patterns. I emailed Terry about the problems with the blanks. I'll let you guys know what he has to say. I know Admiral is a good outfitand they'll deal with it fairly.
 
I used to have my blades cut with a laser - not by Admiral - and 4 mm stock was the thickest that wouldn't end up with a beard of steel on one side that was a pain to grind off. Plus the edges were hardened.

I have since switched to water jet cutting and am much more pleased with this process. There's NO edge hardeneing or stress build up in the steel and the cuts are very accurate. =/- 0.1 mm.

The price for water jet cutting over here in Germany is also about half that for laser cutting.

------------------
Totally new website!
www.wilkins-knives.com
 
Water jet cutting sure sounds attractive. Does anyone know of some places in the ole US-of-A that will cut knife blanks with this method? Any info on cost and volume?

Carl
 
L6, or anyone else who has these blanks... I think some of us forumites might like to buy a single blank from you just to see what they are like.

Maybe Admiral or some other company sells single sample blanks?

Carl
 
I could use the grinding practice and would be glad to split an order of blanks with someone. I would be looking for at least 12 blanks preferably drop point hunter/utility type stuff, but I am flexible. My work would not be sold so you would not have to worry about duplicates or similar knives taking market share. Assuming L6 finds the grinding okay, do I have any other takers?

Regards,
Glenn
 
I'd like to try a couple of laser cut or water jet cut blanks, but I don't need 12 of them. At this point I just want to try a sample. Maybe others feel that way too and we can get together on it.

Carl
 
How hard would it be to re-anneal the blanks? Will a small handheld propane blowtorch suffice? Or would there be problems with warping? I realize that you wouldn't just want to quickly roast one area, but take your time and try to heat slowly and evenly. Other than melting a section, can you "go to far?"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top