Yep, that's right. Mel told me what steel he had available for the projects, which was D-2 in 5/32" with 1.5 or 1.25" thickness. Can't remember which. Anyway, Mel gave me a price as to how long the blade could be for a given $$ amount, and I could do whatever I wanted to within those limits. I assume he made a few tweaks here and there, and he does all his work freehand, so the knives will turn out identical to your drawings, but close enough. Mel is also very easy to communicate what you want your knife to do, how you want the bevels, etc.
Because Mel works freehand without using blanks, the grinds aren't 100% symmetrical, but they are pretty good. If you want to make a presentation type fancy knife, I'm sure he can take more care cleaning the knife up. This is handmade stuff, so it has character built in (just like my own sheaths, I'm sure!)!
The one knife that was a total surprise to me was the replacement for the bent tanto. It was totally different from the first one, as you can see, and not based on my drawings except for the general dimensions. Mel was basically working from memory, i think. That said, I like that one the best, I think! It is a REALLY well-done knife and the slight recurve and increased dropped point are really nice touches. While it wasn't what I expected, it was a cool knife all the same. Mel explained he was going to make some different touches on that one, so I told him to go ahead. If I'd wanted the #2 to be exactly the same as #1, I could've requested it. It was basically a Mystery Knife, and what a great mystery it was!
Mel is more than willing to do blades for kits, it seems, if for nothing else that he makes some $$$ without having to do all the finish work! ;-) Anyway I was very happy with the results, and if you are specific you can get exactly what you want. Shipping time was good, too. I think it took about 1 month for the first two blades, then maybe three or four weeks to get the second one. Reason for the wait is mainly due to the fact that he ships many blades at a time to the heat-treating place, so he has to wait for a decent size order.
I was happy enough with Mel's work that I am considering having 8 small knives (kits) made for me to finish as groomsmen/usher gifts at my wedding next year, although if I get off my butt maybe I can make those knives myself! Contact Mel and see what he can do!
One last thing: the finish on his knives that he sells is nicer than the kit blades, but you can get him to do a little of the work on the belt if you want. Mel's knives still show grind lines, though, so remember it is a collaboration. Your kit knives will be part Madpoet and part you, so remember that. I tried to finish my knives similar to the way Mel would do his, and I think they came out pretty well.
------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath page
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/knifehome.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
