Official 2012 Mini Knife KITH - closed!!

I have seen "specimen frames" that are like what your looking for at craft stores. Like a shallow shadow box for butterflys, beetles and such. I think those might be similar to what you're looking for.


REMINDER: THE DEADLINE IS APPROACHING FAST! 8 DAYS LEFT! LET'S SEE THOSE FINISHED MINI'S!

Everyones is looking great! I think I have an idea for a stand fo mine, for the first time in months I have have two days off in a row, so hopefully I can get it done!


-Xander
 
I get them from Stuller, but Rio Grande or any of the hobby jeweler suppliers should carry them. Ebay has lots from 1.5" to 3.5". "Glass top box" gets 1500 hits on ebay. Try "Glass top box gemstone". that gets 9 hits.
The display boxes for collections are called Riker mounts, and are found through any hobby supply. Here is an ebay add for some;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Extra-Sma...688?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0cbfb8b8
 
sorry guys but after several epicaly failed attempts I am all out of carbon steel, since I cant HT stainless here at home and sending out a mini for HT would most likely not work out I have to back out. I'll practice these mini's and hopefully be able to make somthing decent by next time.
 
Graham has spent two days here at my store working in the shop on his minis. He finally took a break and went to the pool. He has completed his Shikai Zangetsu, except for sharpening. He has officially given up on the dagger for the KITH and is instead working on a cutlass. The Shikai Zangetsu is intended as a backup for the KITH, in case he doesn't get his cutlass finished. He is really proud of it, but doesn't think anyone else would appreciate the replica in reference to the anime. Here are some action photos of him grinding on his cutlass. He has it shaped and thinned down to roughly .045". We are currently trying to figure out how to do the guard. Can anyone offer some photos of mini cutlass guards?

Yes, he normally wears goggles when grinding, but they obstruct his vision too much on the mini. He does religiously wear the respirator and hearing protection.
 

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I don't have any pictures, but they are traditionally a more round D-guard. Some basic ones I hved seen were a simple straight oval guard and round rod type for the bow of the D.

Sounds like a cool sword! Tell Graham not to be too discouraged by the dagger, thats what I first started for this and it went south very quickly! I may still attempt it though.

Keep it up!


-Xander
 
In post #113 Stacy states that the pommel is 11/0 tapped. My mini I did last year, I just used a high quality CA to attach the pommel, but it did have a through tang.


-Xander
 
Xander has it. For the normal shop just drill the pommel with a #75 drill and make the tang match ( about .5mm) for a snug but smooth fit. Use a drop of CA to lock it in place and trim the excess tang flush. If disassembly is needed, just heat the pommel and it will come off.
 
Graham should at least post pics of his Shikai Zangetsu for us nerds who appreciate things like this.

As far as my mini goes. I am stuck on the pins. It was going to be a chef's knife, but then it went "full custom" when I realized that I could not do a hidden tang with it because the tang was too high up on the blade. :D so, I need pins. does anyone have a recommendation for a pin material that is about 1/16th or less, and a drill bit to match?
 
Harbor Freight has a package of teeny, tiny HSS drill bits (item 94606) you can get cheaply. These will serve as both the means to drill the holes AND as the pins if you grind them down.
 
I have used heavy electrical wire for pin stock, Harbor Freight has a set of micro carbide drills for a few bucks, they seem to work. If there is a hobby store like Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc near by you can pick up "piano wire" in many sizes. Plus it usually forges and heat treats like W1, great for minis.


-Xander
 
I love those micro carbides from HF, except once they go in your skin they tend to shatter and are a @!^$# of a splinter to remove! Ouch! We are going to Dave Larsen's tomorrow to get all the minis sharpened. My hand isn't steady enough to sharpen something that small. When we get back, I'll take pics of all of them and post them here. Graham keeps re-wrapping the handle on Shikai Zangetsu. He just wants it perfect, but I keep telling him that he needs something other than sewing thread.

I got the epoxy pommel on my mini finished. It turned out just how I had hoped and think you'll be pleased when you see it.
 
Not the best pictures, but these should give the general idea. He has also removed the wrapping on Zangetsu, again. He plans on trying dental floss next. I'm especially fond of the hunter and the faux-wood handle on it. Once again, it's a lollipop stick with brown sharpie marker. Just the perfect color and texture. The pommel is an epoxy with black dye, just a drop on the end and surface tension makes it nice and shiny. I wish I could finish an actual knife that way.

Official Entry
Mini Pirate Cutlass
CPM-S30v stainless
Brass guard
Made by: Graham Steffes-Clayton
minicutlass.JPG

Mini Shikai Zangetsu
16 layer damascus
dental floss wrapping(not shown)
Made by: Graham Steffes-Clayton
minizangetsu.JPG

Official Entry
Mini Hunter
400 layer damascus (Made by fellow member MontanaGuy)
Made by: Charles Steffes-Clayton
minihunter.JPG

African Machete
16 layer damascus
Copper guard and pommel
Made by: Charles Steffes-Clayton
minimachete.JPG
 
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Alright guys, the deadline is drawing near! Tomorrow, July 1st, midnight Pacific time is the cutoff. If your done with the exception of final polish or sharpening, go ahead and post pics with "I'm done and ready to ship." Names will be drawn no later than July 10th, but likely will be done on the 4th or 5th.


-Xander
 
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