Knife Making Kits

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

ilmarinen - MODERATOR
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Aug 20, 2004
Messages
38,498
I have had a lot of folks request/suggest that I make up starter knife kits for those wanting to make a knife, but lacking the larger tools...like metal cutting band saws, drill press, grinders, etc., as well as the steel and wood needed.

I was in the shop today cutting out and profiling about 30 blades when I thought about that suggestion. I have standard patterns in hunter, skinner, fillet, and a range of kitchen styles. I usually have between 20 and 100 sitting around cut out and profiled, waiting for time to grind and do HT when I get an order. Why not offer these to folks who would like to make a high quality custom knife...without a lot of the start-up work.

I want to ask you chaps thoughts on doing this in several ways:

Putting a "For Sale" thread on The Exchange - Knife Making materials....

1) Post a batch of blade blanks in several styles and sell them with a set of knife making instructions for a reasonable price based on the steel used. I might get rid of some of the forged and profiled camp/bowie and other style blades I do at demos. I never seem to get around to finishing them, and there is a bucket full. I could anneal them, soak off the scale, and sell them as-is. Some are pretty nice.

2) Make up kits with a blade blank, handle scales/block, and
instructions. The buyer can choose the blade and handle material from the items on the thread.

3) Make up kits with the blade, pre-drilled tang and scales, Corby Bolts, instructions, and some supplies.

4) Offer custom kits, with the customers blade design profiled in one of several steel types, handle material choice, Corby bolts, instructions, and some supplies. HT would be provided as part of the kit. Options could include slotting the guard material and pre-grinding the bevels part way.

5) Make up kits with pre-finished blades -HT done and sanded to 400, handle materials, and finishing supplies. This would appeal to those wanting to make a knife with the simplest start up cost and time.

Do you think there would be any demand for this?

I may start with option #2 and see what happens.
#1 and #3 would be next steps depending on the amount (or lack of) demand.
#4 would be a special thing and would come after seeing how much interest the first options draw.
#5 would be a lot more work for me, but I would only have to finish the blade up to the handle stage.

So, what do you think?
 
Personally, I think that idea could be a BIG hit! I would be interested in that. I love making my knife but it's a LOT of work without the proper set up.

________________________
Beckerhead #32
 
Stacy, I for one really believes in you and I figure you would be offering a special package!!! I don't know how many you would sell but I do believe you would be offerering something that would be much appreciated. Why not give it a try? Frank.
 
I think it's a great idea. Someone who doesn't have the tools/knowhow may not want to spend a lot of money up front on a hobby they may not stay with. This gives them a great intro, with minimal cost. I'd even consider getting a few as gifts for friends who have expressed some interest in knife-making..
 
Another bladesmith sold a lot of his blades recently before making a move. I wanted to forge a couple of small knives (neckers) this summer but getting an anvil set up is not working out. If you have a small annealed (4-5" OAL) in 1084 (or near) steel, I am interested.
 
There is definitely a demand for this, including all those options.:thumbup:
It's a great idea, and would allow for the varying degrees of hobbyist, as well as the ability to prgress through the knife-making skill levels.:)
 
Stacy, I think that is a great idea. It would be a huge hit. But one question. Could you handle hundreds of people (like me) always asking questions and e-mailing you for advice? There are a lot of people out there who have the desire to make a knife but lack the resources.
 
I'm sure there would be demand for all 5 levels of options.

I would strongly recommend offering standard scandi and bushcraft style blades. The W&SS boys enjoy those styles and a lot of them love to modify/finish blades. Many of them are quite knowledgeable about steel and would prefer known, high-quality O1 or 1084 over "who-knows-what carbon" steel, for instance.

If you get bored with that, I bet a lockback or trapper style folder kit with a blade/s made of quality carbon steel would be a huge hit. There are lots of good folder kits out there, but they all seem to be the same crappy stainless.
 
cbwoods67 said:
Stacy, I think that is a great idea. It would be a huge hit. But one question. Could you handle hundreds of people (like me) always asking questions and e-mailing you for advice? There are a lot of people out there who have the desire to make a knife but lack the resources.
Click to expand...

That's probably where this forum can step in for support. I'm sure he would be glad to help as much as he can, but as you said it may get overwhelming. There is a huge knowledge base in many many memebers that frequent here and I'm sure they would all pitch in :thumbup:
 
james terrio said:
If you get bored with that, I bet a lockback or trapper style folder kit with a blade/s made of quality carbon steel would be a huge hit.
Click to expand...

Or how about friction folder kits?
THOSE would be a big hit I'll bet, and wouldn't be much harder to put together than some of his fixed blade options.:)
 
I too think if you got the word out that there would be a large demand , you might be over stretching yourself with all those options though. Just a thought.
 
Stacy, I think it's an excellent idea. I have bought several finished blades that just need scales fashioned and put on. Well that is fine but of course it makes me want to progress. I have started practicing my grinds and filing on cheap stock metal but have not made the step up to better steel yet. I think these kits would be the push that someone like me needs. I'm sure that there alot of people at the same point as I am, doing their own handles and mods, but lack the tools (and for me, skill) to go to much further.
Your idea of the different options is great, it will really allow folks to progress at their own pace.
Thanks and I hope you do this soon.
Dan
P.S. The KITH thread was fantastic!
 
You have a great idea that I believe you will see a demand for. I have offered and sold some of my Bush Monkey blades (only) for a few months now. Good luck with it.
 
Well, eleven positive replies.
I think I will pick ten blades and make basic kits up. I will put them on the Exchange later this week.

Thanks for the input.
 
Stacy, I've seen your instructions and guidelines for new makers, and they have solid value all by themselves. I have no doubt that if you offer quality blades along with your well-thought-out instructions, you will be providing a great service to folks who either want a dang good knife for their own use, or want to get their feet wet in the knifemaking game. :thumbup:
 
james terrio said:
Stacy, I've seen your instructions and guidelines for new makers, and they have solid value all by themselves. I have no doubt that if you offer quality blades along with your well-thought-out instructions, you will be providing a great service to folks who either want a dang good knife for their own use, or want to get their feet wet in the knifemaking game. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

This is exactly what i was thinking, i have been wanting to dive in to knifemaking for quite some time now, but just dont know exactly how to get started. I know there is a ton of info on here, and i have read bladsmth's tutorials, but i think if you were to offer up a starter packeage where you actually have the main necessaties in hand it would be a Great Help.
I always get the notion to get started BUT i start to think i need this, that, this and those and by the time im done thinking about it, im already confused about what to buy and where to buy it, will it be the right size, how many?????
So a kit is a Wonderful idea, it would give the correct parts and all that is needed after that is sweat and patience with thought of pulling it all together.
I would be the first in line for such a kit.
I hope this comes together, and i very much appreciate the generosity and consideration of bladsmth and that we all need to start somewhere, we just need to be pointed in the right direction, what we do after that is on our shoulders.

Thank you bladsmth
and to all who make this forum a special place.

Ray
 
Stacy, one package containing everything needed to complete (at least) one blade would take out much of the overwhelming nature of shopping for supplies on Jantz and the like. One option could be to include an electronic info package, .pdf instructions with large full color photos which saves you on printing, the list of links that Count posts, and a basic one year membership to BF. Or if already a member discount the package the amount of the membership. I don't think a finished blade would be a good option, so much of that already out there. A custom design package based on a "box rule," as we call it in racing sailboats, $xxx.xx for any blade that fits on a 1.5"x10"x.188" piece of 1080 or comparably priced stainless. Design must be approved publically on blade foums or by any ABS smith for example to keep the one on one work down. I think it can be turned into a valuable resource for the hobby and the site as well. Hell I might even buy one from you!


-Xander
 
The more complete the packaged the more work and expense it will be for you. You'll have to stockpile the hardware, handle material, bags, etc. Then the customer service issue, "I was missing a corby bolt from my kit. Send me another one." or "I don't like the wood you sent with the blade send me something different that I like."

IMHO - Start out very simple and basic offering just the blade/blank and try to keep it that way.

- Paul Meske
 
I am not planning on this being my new day job....so I was going to keep it simple.

I like the idea of putting the info on a CD and sending that. It was one idea when thinking this over, but seeing it in print by another has made me lean this way. It would allow constant revision as well as personalization of the plans, and no need to stockpile instruction packets. The user could add files to the CD as he/she sees things of interest on this and other forums.

I also like the idea of putting most of the stickys on the disc. Having all the supplier websites in one place would be very useful for a new maker. I might even put Lloyd Hardings templates on it.

Here is what I have decided.
I am going to list ten blade blanks and show four types of handle material. The blades will be individually priced as will be the handle type. The buyer will select a blade and the desired handle. The kit will have an instruction disc full of information with it. There will be an option for having the handle and tang drilled for Corby bolts at an additional charge.

This should tell me the most popular styles and options. From there I can make up more complete kits with materials and pre-package them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top