I am looking for a good production grinder - who can I go to?

J

joemanly

Joined
Jun 5, 2013
Messages
8
Hey Guys,

I am new to BF and have joined because I have made a new invention that will be hopefully launched at Shot Show in January. I can't go into details here, but I will have a 4 patents and 1 sub patent with a new system I devised which involves a blade. I am looking for a good knife maker that will be able to make blades for production. I am in South East Michigan and would love to have someone out here. If not, the closer the better for logistics purposes.

I appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,

Joe
 
I think when approaching anyone about this, the expected production number would be an important factor
 
I am also willing to help you out if you like. I am a knifemaker, as well as a veteran LEO, defensive tactics instructor, amateur gunsmith, glock/s&w/ar-15 armorer, USPSA/IDPA shooter... etc. Prior to knifemaking I also have two decades of design and fabrication experience in the same circles you have been travelling in. Cances are you have seen some of my work but didn't know it... :)
Same here though, need to know wal hat type of numbers we are talking. I have a family connection in the mass production metal machining world also, just fyi...

Sorry, not really close to Michigan either...
 
Hey Guys - I appreciate the quick initial feedback. My alpha test unit is being machined right now - all parts including the blade are being done in 7075 aluminum for form and function of the mechanism system, as not to blow costs on blade material which I am not settled on yet. I am going to place a conservative number on production and say 1000 per month for the first year.

Due to the design of the system; where there is no handle, and there is an engagement form/shape where the guard would normally be I am having blanks machined and prepped to what the bade grinder will want before they take from there to the finished blade.

I also need to decide on a blade material. This blade will be used for CQC and self defense. Basically I was going to make it just like most high grade tactical knives with an S35VN and a coating, but not sure if that is overkill since it will not be intended for use on anything but assailants, so flesh, bone, clothing, vests, and kevlar protective gear, similar to the application of a "get the heck off me knife".

I apologize if this does not make complete sense, but I just can't let my cat out of the bag just yet.
 
joemanly said:
Hey Guys - I appreciate the quick initial feedback. My alpha test unit is being machined right now - all parts including the blade are being done in 7075 aluminum for form and function of the mechanism system, as not to blow costs on blade material which I am not settled on yet. I am going to place a conservative number on production and say 1000 per month for the first year.

Due to the design of the system; where there is no handle, and there is an engagement form/shape where the guard would normally be I am having blanks machined and prepped to what the bade grinder will want before they take from there to the finished blade.

I also need to decide on a blade material. This blade will be used for CQC and self defense. Basically I was going to make it just like most high grade tactical knives with an S35VN and a coating, but not sure if that is overkill since it will not be intended for use on anything but assailants, so flesh, bone, clothing, vests, and kevlar protective gear, similar to the application of a "get the heck off me knife".

I apologize if this does not make complete sense, but I just can't let my cat out of the bag just yet.
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If you want to sell this to police, they will use it for EVERYTHING including abusive uses.
- like apes with hammers
You have to take that into account design and warranty wise.
 
12345678910 said:
If you want to sell this to police, they will use it for EVERYTHING including abusive uses.
- like apes with hammers
You have to take that into account design and warranty wise.
Click to expand...

Hey, I resemble that remark... lol.

But seriously, he is right. There is no such thing as overkill when talking about this stuff. Trust me, I have been there, done that, got the t-shirt and now train others how to get it done, even training the trainers in several disciplines...

For a cop, an entry vest is a crowded place, and if we can have a tool that will be a prytool, scraper, and kill you implement it must be tough as nails and take up as little room as possible.
Black with velcro never hurts either... mall ninjas and cops alike love black and velcro;)

I can still help you out if you like. Either contact me here, or email me at elucy@abingdon-va.gov for this only. Any others please use my other email addresses...
 
LucyCustomKnives and 12345678910 - that is great intel. I appreciate it and will definitely go with the best materials. There is one possible weak point on my system that I have to prove once I have my alpha test product next week. This is really exciting stuff for me and I am sure you guys will like what I invented. I am biting my tongue (or typing fingers (all 4 of them ;)) as I can't wait to share it with everyone. Hoping to have this launched in January.

I am really hoping to get someone in Michigan or within a State or 2 away so I can start off being able to be within a drive's distance if anything needs my same day attention. If not I will most likely give you guys a ring.
 
I'm guessing that if you need 1000 blades per month you're gonna be giving several guys a ring. Count me out.
 
I will preface this with saying I am not a kydex pro. I like to think I make a good sheath, and have out of kydex, but prefer and have more experience with leather:

AFAIK Kydex is just a brand of thermoform plastic, there's also concealex, boltaron, holstex I believe, etc etc etc.
I know ABS sheets and Kydex sheets form similarly and I have used both, however the kydex and similar products are fairly solvent resistant and flame retardant or so I have been told.
I haven't worked with a whole lot of molded vinyl, but what I have used was more brittle and prone to cracking than kydex or even abs...
There are several guys on here that do kydex and such a lot over in the sheath making section. Chances are if you can make a sheath from it they've tried it....

So we gonna have to wait till shot show to get an idea what kind of device this is? I have beta tested several items for a big self-defense and firearms accessories company and I know they have some cool stuff in the pipeline...
 
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joemanly said:
That's a good idea. Thanks.

What are your thoughts on using a mold injected high grade vinyl instead of kydex for the sheath?
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The upfront costs of getting molds ready for production can cost you tens of thousands.

Unless you are a full blown manufacturer with huge sales volumes, it's hard to justify.

I'd start with kydex makers.
 
I met with a manufacturer today that showed me a specific vinyl that seemed really strong and durable, but completely rigid. It seems it may work well where I have a stress relief cut-away at the top.

I am going to find out by next week what my mold costs are. Due to the fact that I will have a lockdown on the market with the new market with the combination of saucer dish sized eyes and jaws dropping when I show my SF and LE friends, I am pretty confident my volumes will be pretty darn big. This is why I am entertaining the mold injection. The company I spoke to definitely wants my business and I may have the option to amortize the cost of the molds across the first year production if I want to save on start up costs.

LucyCustomKnives - You won't have to wait until shot show because I have a marketing plan that will ramp up prior to. You just won't be able to hold it until then;)
 
Not to dampen your spirits, but also prepare yourself for failure. I wish you the best of luck and hope that I will someday be using this revolutionary bladed thing in my professional endeavors. But trust me, just prepare for it even if it is a 1 in 100 chance of going out the window.
And I sincerely do hope you have great success though. It is great that you are so excited about it. That goes a long way in this industry....

Email me, I want a sneak peek! :D
 
If you are looking for a knife production shop in Michigan , you might want to talk to Mike Stewart at Bark River Knives in Escanaba. He certainly makes knives in the numbers you are talking about and he does knives for other companies. I'm not in that business and have only bought knives from him as an individual so I can not speak about what is like to do business with him at that level.
Having started a business and had it fail, be sure and make a VERY REALISTIC business plan and get somebody on board that has experience in what you are trying to do. I hope it works out for you and I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
 
Tx Bass Tech said:
If you are looking for a knife production shop in Michigan , you might want to talk to Mike Stewart at Bark River Knives in Escanaba. He certainly makes knives in the numbers you are talking about and he does knives for other companies. I'm not in that business and have only bought knives from him as an individual so I can not speak about what is like to do business with him at that level.
Having started a business and had it fail, be sure and make a VERY REALISTIC business plan and get somebody on board that has experience in what you are trying to do. I hope it works out for you and I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
Click to expand...

You want to do some research on that before committing to that.

Based on the info I have, I wouldn't.
 
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