Mini Damascus set in Mammoth Ivory

Daniel Koster

Daniel Koster

www.kosterknives.com
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 18, 2001
Messages
20,978
I've been wandering around looking for custom mini knives and found this one (part of a larger set):

http://www.geocities.com/pendesign/avatars/mini.htm

Anybody here make a custom mini like this?

What's the return like? Is it a profitable knife? or, does it take as much time and effort as a medium sized one?

I'm looking to get one made and I'm trying to get a feeling for how involved it's going to get.

What's the care? Can I expect a mini to last for a long time? (under use, of course :D ) How durable will it be?

Anything else anyone can tell me about these?


Thanks for tolerating my questions.

Dan
 
One of our members, who doesn't post often, is the editor of the Miniature Knifemakers Society. He can answer any question you may have <b>and</b> put you in touch with the right maker for your wants and budget. His email is terrykranning@juno.com Give him a holler, you'll be glad you did.<p> Nice looking mini hunter in your pic to. Good luck,
 
I took a look at that miniature knife picture and he is a member of the Miniature Knifemakers Society. I'm sorry but his name escapes me at this time. He always has a knife or two of this style on Ebay every week. He makes a lot of knives and miniatures. From memory that style goes for around $50.00 But better check with him on ebay as I once made a mistake relying on my memory!!
Anyone interested in my latest trials? I quenched a 1095 knife with a coating for a wavy temper and now have a blade with a see through broken line every where the soft and hard sections meet. Used a quench that was too cold. Also made a damascus ring to see how hard it was to do. Wearing it left a dark 'ring' on my finger even though it is stainless damascus. Do I have to set up a gold/silver plating thing and plate the inside? Would that clear spray stuff work of a month or year of wear? I tried to make a coin knife with two blades of damascus and it works but was a lot of work-I might as well go back to miniature folders. I will try to get on BladeForums a little more often.Terry Kranning
 
Terry- please remember... WE LOVE PICTURES!!!! Although posting them in the Gallery is the proper way to do it. Thanks.:)
 
pendentive, I am not a custom maker but here is my first try at it. First one is ats-34 with mother of pearl and a mosaic pin with file work. The second one is a Devin Thomas stainless damascus with mastadon ivory both pieces are integral. Both are heat treated by Paul Bos. Don't laugh it was my first try. At the Knife Expo 2001 I won an award for the damascus piece "Amateur Knifemaker Art Knife"

9369839-8f0a-028001E0-D.jpg
 
Originally posted by Terry Kranning
I took a look at that miniature knife picture and he is a member of the Miniature Knifemakers Society. I'm sorry but his name escapes me at this time. He always has a knife or two of this style on Ebay every week. He makes a lot of knives and miniatures. From memory that style goes for around $50.00
Click to expand...

That's where I pulled the picture from. His knives are cool. I was just wondering if there were more of the same - which I am very pleased to see that there are.


krangle1

Your knives are awesome and look great. No laughing here.

Have you made any others since? Or do you have plans?

Dan
 
pendentive, i do have another damascus piece i just finished last month i have to take a photo of it. thanks for the compliment.
 
Terry = his name is Charles B. Helton and I'm still trying to get a knife made through him. Time's are difficult recently, but he'll be back on track soon.

krangle1 = is that the damascus necker you posted later?
 
I finally got one of these from Charles. 2 actually. They are both very nice. One went straight to Dad.

3 cheers for miniature knifemakers!!!

Dan



Mine
HeltonApril62-1.jpg

HeltonApril62-3.jpg





Dad's
HeltonApril53-1.jpg

HeltonApril53-3.jpg
 
VERY nice Dan! I have a strict rule about only buying knives that I will use. Hmmm, what use could I find for one of these...

Hey, the wife has a miniature collection....maybe it's a gift for her!!!

(that's not selfish is it?)

:D
 
Congrats on the knives! They look neat.
It's been a while since I made a simple hunter mini. Lately I've been doing mostly folders- but Sheffield style mini Bowies are my real passion. I usually work on a smaller scale though. Maybe one of these days I'll have to find someone willing to buy a simple hunter mini so I can take a break from those difficult long-drawn projects...
 
Charles provides a workable edge on these knives, but by no means sharpened. At around 3" OAL I guess I could use it for opening letters, etc. For now, it's just fun to look at. Such excellent craftsmanship and high-quality materials!

I've considered making a small sheath for it to ride on a keychain or as a neck knife, but don't know when and if I'll ever get around to it.

Anyway, just wanted to share with you all. Perhaps there's someone out there who's teetering on whether or not to invest in a mini...Do it! (oh...and do it now!) :D
 
I just signed up for Gold membership.

When Kevin finds out that my money is good, I can post my own pictures. (I hope)!!!!

:rolleyes:
 
Just wondering if anyone interested in miniature knives is not yet a member of the Miniature Knifemakers Society. We include makers-collectors and dealers.Any help you can give on where you look for miniatures,your specific 'wants' and etc. will help and could be used in the newsletter.
Also anyone else out there making mokume or damascus rings? I have been leaving mine hard and not drawing them. Can anyone see any problems with this? Terry Kranning terrykranning@juno.com or http://kranningknives.tripod.com
 
Dan, have you seen those tiny razor sharp little fellers Dave Larsen makes and carries in a neat little sheath in his pocket? They are absolutely cool. I beleive the one he showed me he carries was one he made of O1. Rascal puts a mirror polish on them, too.
 
John,

Dave puts 'em out faster than I can keep track...

Have the thread handy?

Dan
 
Hi All

After suffering a self inflicted wound, (Opened the wrong email & had to take my hard drive to the local guru) & geting my membership issues cleared up, I will try to post some mini pictures.

Here goes
 

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Pete,

Those are some great mini bowies! Fantastic!

Dan
 
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