Question regarding kits

I have a good number of knives, but I never bought a knife kit. Actually, I never heard of it until I read about it in the thread about the Cetan. So I checked out Rob's site.
I can see from the picture what I get in the kit, at least I think I do, but what else do I need in oder to complete the knife? I mean what kind of tools, chemicals, skills? I'm a webmaster and a firefighter, so I don't have a workshop with grinders, belts, soldering or welding equipment at home.
I'd really like to try to make a knife. I guess make is not the right word - put together would be more appropriate. But I don't want to buy a $50 kit just to find out I need $500 worth of other stuff to put it together. Help?!? Please
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Dr.Lathe

Dr.Lathe

Joined
Aug 4, 1999
Messages
2,596
Arizona,
You should be able to finish a knife kit with a minumum amount of tools and lots of "elbow greases". If you start off with a full tang knife and some handle material, it should be a fun project! You will need a drill to do the pin or bolt holes in the handle material. You will also need a scroll saw or even a coping saw to cut the handle material as close to the tang shape as possible. After that you should be able to do most of the handle shaping with a fairly coarse, half round file and several sheets of sandpaper!
A variable speed Dremel tool can drill small pin holes and also shape the handle material, for a minimal investment.
Feel free to Email if you have any further questions with this project,
Neil

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Update in process! New knives, pictures, Sheaths!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html


 
Thanks for the info Neil. Sounds like I should be able to get what I need fairly easy. I have the drill and files, so now I just have to select a nice kit, or better a kit that will hopefully one day be a nice knife
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IIRC, Rob isn't selling kits any more (at least for the time being) due to his huge backlog. Please correct me if I'm wrong, as I'd love to have a Cetan kit.

Who else out there sells inexpensive kits that I could complete?

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Kelly

SenatorsPlace.com
AKTI Member #A000289

Deo Vindice


 
Alot of makers will supply you with a blank that has been ground and HT'ed, and some micarta and pin stock. Just ask around. I have gotten kits from Alan folts and have a few on order from a couple other makers. Just ask around, the worst that can happen is a maker will say "no".

PS, the ones I got from Alan are %#$!@@&# beautiful. Mirror polished 3/16" L6. THey are my design to boot. Alan is a good guy to deal with, just keep in mind that hurricanes tend to slow down production a little when you order from him. Price on a mirror polished kit is alot more than one that was ground to 200-400 grit, but well worth it. Alan suffers from LSS (last scratch syndrome) and hates to leave any surface scratches.

YeK
 
You can get kits from Jantz supply- www.jantzsupply.com. And from Koval knives.I have made some folder kits from koval.They turned out as nice knives but they aren't as nice to work with as one from a custom maker. There are small mistakes in the grinds and things like that.Its hard to find a good selection also.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
Go to Chiro's Knife Homepage and take a look at his write-up of his Cetan kit. It is very well done, with plenty of pictures.

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"Absolute safety is for those who don't have the balls to live in the real world."
St. Mary's County, Republik of Marilundt

[This message has been edited by rockspyder (edited 17 December 1999).]
 
I go through the Cetan Tanto kit knife ad nauseum. Although I approach kits a little differently now than I used to, it is a good reference for people who want to use hand tools only. I think I even drilled the pin holes with a non-electric hand drill. Amish all the way!
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The added bonus is that you get to see and laugh at my first-ever Concealex knife sheath. It is SO ugly, but it actually works really well.


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My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html

 
Threre's still a lot of info on finishing kit knives at Bob Engnath's old website. Just click on "The Manual."

I couldn't have finished the kit knives I've made without the info I got from him.
http://www.engnath.com/public/intable.htm

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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23


 
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