Is fully HT'ed ATS34 available?

[CDH]

Here's my problem. I have been making a few fillet blades for local guys. The pre-make (kit blades) from Jantz/TKS/etc. work pretty well, but shipping will eat me alive trying to get 1/16" barstock here, outline the blade, send it in for HT, ship it back...

It sure would be nice to cut out the multiple shipping path and 1/16" thick stock shouldn't be too hard to grind... I can deal with the drilling problem; diamond burrs and dremel tools should so the trick for my purposes.

So is there anywhere I can get fully heat treated thin stock in a good stainless steel? The usual supply houses just don't carry it.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bruce Bump]

Talk to David at Greatlakes waterjet Inc. and have the barstock drop shipped to him and have him cut them out and send them directly to Paul Bos for heat treating. David can also do the holes. Paul can ship them to you. 1/16" is easy enough to grind after they are hardened.
That said, its hard to make money making fillet knives unless you cut them out and heat treat them yourself.

 

[AcridSaint]

I'd just add the cost to the knives. Shipping the blades in a flat rate envelope will only run you $7 each way. If you do more than one it should break down quickly. Cite rising fuel costs...

 

[CDH]

That said, its hard to make money making fillet knives unless you cut them out and heat treat them yourself.

I know...the market just doesn't support custom prices especially in this area, hence my attempt to reduce overhead. I have been using the kit blades with good results and reasonably happy customers, but the lack of size/shape options has already cost me several orders.

Sending it to GLWJ still has 3 shipping cycles...supplier2GLWJ, GLWJ2HeatTreat, and HT2me, plus the cutting cost, so that really costs me more in $$$ though less in labor.

Since I don't have a HT oven I'm stuck with sending out for HT. Large capital investments are not an option this year either...I don't make nearly enough on the few blades I sell to finance high $$$ tools right now!

Damn, now I have to explain to guys why their next blade will cost significantly more than their last one...on a $50-$75 knife the margin is just so dang small already...

Remind me again why I chose this hobby!?!?!?

 

[greatlakeswaterjet]

I just happen to have a great heat treater local so I could have the material treated any way you want and then cut it. Only 1 shipping expense and that would only be flat rate at $9.80 up to 70lbs. Gimme a call.

 

[Bruce Bump]

I just happen to have a great heat treater local so I could have the material treated any way you want and then cut it. Only 1 shipping expense and that would only be flat rate at $9.80 up to 70lbs. Gimme a call.

See, there ya go.
Let me tell one thing...if the knives look good and hold their edge they will sell for more than the kit knives. People are not afraid to pay more for higher quality. It may pay off.