Knife Kits

E

ErikD

Joined
Dec 5, 2000
Messages
1,875
I am interested in learnig to make knives, and was wondering if the many kits available for fixed blade knives are worthwhile? Also how is their quality, the only kit I have seen that may be of reasonable quality is the Darrel Ralph kit sold by Koval, and this seems like you basically screw it together. I want to start out making stock removal knives. So basically should I spend the money for a kit, or just get a few feet of steel?

Also, has anyone tried using the Jet MultiTool attachment sold by Koval? Basically it turns an 8" bench grinder into a belt/disc grinder. I was wondering ifd this was any better to start out with than some of the cheaper(< $200) belt grinders, as I already own a 3/4 horsepower bench grinder.
 
If you already understand the parts of a knifeand how they go together I don't see how a kit will help you. Unless you realy like the knife and want one.

personaly I'd get a piece of steel and go for it,
if you need a lesson find another maker near by
or go to a flea market and look for a junker realy cheap. take it apart regrind and harden the blade, put on a different handle and see what you come up with.

I think you'd learn more and spend less. You'd probobly come out with a lesser quality knife, but the object is the learning at this point.

as for the belt grinder question, I'm not qualified to answer
but I'm sure someone will
 
I have the jet machine and it's great for someone starting out. The thing is very reasonable to set up and to change belts on. The only drawbacks are a limited selection of grits in that belt size, but there are enough to get by with. Also, it will only be one speed unless your grinding wheel is variable speed. You will have to do a simple modification to get it into a position that puts the contact wheel at the bottom and the platen in a vertical position. No big deal. Just go for it...you can always sell it later if you discover knifemaking is for you and you want to upgrade.

Darrel's kit knife is worth getting to see the workings of a liner lock and to practice handle slabs. For only 30 bucks you can have the fun of practice and then give the knife away. Get Bob Terzuola's Anatomy of a Tactical Folding Knife book for all the little details of making from scratch.
 
If you want to learn start out with a kit. Grinding blades is over rated, assembly of handles with proper fit and finish is by far the most difficult part of the trade to learn. Once you have mastered the most difficult part then you can look at grinding your own blades.
 
You might as well try a kit. It will teach you alot without the frustration of grinding the blade and having it heat treated and everything. Fitting the handle up isn't as easy as it sounds, especially if theres errors in the blade and tang that can effect fit up. I'd look at some of the knife kits from Texas Knifemakers Supply, almost all of them have cryo treated blades which should really help with the quality of the knife since the steel isn't the best. You'll still need to put a final finish on the blade, and fit up the handle material and bolsters/gaurd or whatever is included.
 
Baby steps...one thing at a time.

I believe that Mr. Tichbourne and Mr. Shade are absolutely correct. A kit blade is a good place to start out. Fit and finish are a very important aspect of knifemaking. Look for kit blades that are 440C, ATS34 (K&G) or the "high vanadium steel" that TKS offers.

Most kit blades that you find are 6A (AUS6) steel which is about like 440A. These blades are easy to sharpen but do not hold an edge like 440C or ATS34.

C Wilkins
 
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