Question about having blades made to attach your own handle too?

G

groy87

Joined
Feb 11, 2016
Messages
155
As it stands I am not set up to make my own blades. Instead I buy my blades from sites like Thompson knife supply and Brisa. I've seen many talented individuals on this forum and was wonder if it was not unheard of to have someone forge a blade for someone else to attach their own handle to. I am assuming that it would be a simple matter of posting in the proper forum but wanted to make sure it wasn't a taboo request to make.

Regards,
Garrett
 
I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm fairly sure it's common and not taboo at all.
I've done a few blanks for people. The only difference is I didn't put my maker's mark on it.
You'll probably have good luck checking out custom knifemaker/craftsman wanted section in the exchange.
 
greenjebadiah said:
I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm fairly sure it's common and not taboo at all.
I've done a few blanks for people. The only difference is I didn't put my maker's mark on it.
You'll probably have good luck checking out custom knifemaker/craftsman wanted section in the exchange.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. What I'd be looking for is the completed blade so I would prefer the original blade makers mark to give credit where due :). All I would be doing is fitting a bolster and handle of my own design.
 
Occasionally I see knifemakers sell extra blanks that they have made. I have also heard of production makers selling "kits" with finished blades. I don't know about the etiquette of putting the original makers mark on the blades, but it would be taboo to "assemble" a knife using someone else's blade and then pass it off as a knife that you made.
 
Agreed. I am assuming the proper term would be a "collaboration" piece? I know many scandanavian blade smiths sell their blades for others to handle. ThAt is where I've purchased the majority of my blades. I'm just trying to get a feel for the proper ettiquite when my blade inventory runs low and I look for new ones 😃
 
You will rarely find a custom maker who will mark a blade he makes unless he makes the whole knife.

However, it is common for makers to make and sell pre-finished blades, but they will not usually be marked.

Blades made by a custom maker will also be more expensive that the blades from suppliers like USA Knifemakers, Jantz and Texas Knife supply.
 
It is a kind of odd and perhaps modern thing to view the complete knife as more important than the blade itself. Handles and sheaths used to be wear items, expected to dry up, crack or be damaged over time. A sword might see multiple refittings, while the maker's mark of the blade remained. It is almost strange that we think modern knife makers should also be masters of handles, sharpening, sheaths, etc.

I remembered Koster had blanks on his site - but, sure enough, they also lack his mark.


I guess it just comes down to owning all the factors that might get a knife discussed as quality or not.



Anyway, I don't see anything wrong with buying blades and advertising "Steel by Bill, handles by Phil and sheath by Jill". It would certainly more forthcoming than the common practice of farming out sheaths and not disclosing who makes those (not that I care, it just seems like a strange set of evolved rules).
 
RX-79G said:
It is a kind of odd and perhaps modern thing to view the complete knife as more important than the blade itself. Handles and sheaths used to be wear items, expected to dry up, crack or be damaged over time. A sword might see multiple refittings, while the maker's mark of the blade remained. It is almost strange that we think modern knife makers should also be masters of handles, sharpening, sheaths, etc.

I remembered Koster had blanks on his site - but, sure enough, they also lack his mark.


I guess it just comes down to owning all the factors that might get a knife discussed as quality or not.



Anyway, I don't see anything wrong with buying blades and advertising "Steel by Bill, handles by Phil and sheath by Jill". It would certainly more forthcoming than the common practice of farming out sheaths and not disclosing who makes those (not that I care, it just seems like a strange set of evolved rules).
Click to expand...

Agreed. What I've posted so far has followed the "bill, Phil, and Jill " format :). I am a firm proponent of "one step at a time." As such I plan on honing my skills at handle making and sheath making before moving to blades. That being said I am more than happy to invest the money into a high quality item and give the due credit.
 
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