Questions on kit knives?

G

Grapevine

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Mar 5, 2002
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I know there are different level kits, and that folders are more difficult than fixed. I'm thinking of trying out one of those beginner ones from Texas Knifemaker's Supply that have the fixed blade and all the materials (rivets, guard, scales) and instructions you need.

1. For those, what kind of tools do I need? I have basic hand tools, and in terms of power tools I have a drill and a Dremel type tool from Black&Decker.

2. Do I need anything special to put the rivets together? I've never dealt with rivets before.

3. Any books I need to read if I want to use real wood instead of the "dymondwood" the kit will come with?

4. Any books that deal with leather sheath making?

Eventually I'd like to try harder and harder kits as long as they're doable in a city apartment. Somewhere along the line I'd like to be able to take apart my Marbles in the cheap laminated wood and put a nice burl wood handle on it. And maybe even longer down the line I'd like to try to put together a kit with mother of pearl scales.

Any hints and stories would be most appreciated.
 
The first thing to do is go to www.knifekits.com and see if there is anything there that interests you. This is Darrel Ralph's new venture, so it's fixed blade and linerlock kits. These kits are very good to start with and learn basic skills. A big plus is a kit knife forum and tutorials that will answer all your questions, at least about the kits they sell.

If you want to work on pinned together slipjoints or lockbacks, that's a whole 'nother subject. You might want to go to www.kovalknives.com and buy a book called "The Complete Book of Pocketknife Repair". They also have the lockback and slipjoint kits.
 
Grapevine,

I have made many kit knives, mostly fixed ones. I used kits out of Jantz supply, but there are probably newer ones out there now.

My first one was not really a thing of beauty, and I find that every knife I make, they get a little better.

Now as far as tools go, it depends on how much elbow grease you got. The main power tools I use are the dremel, tabletop belt and disc sander, drill press, and my grinder. The dremel and sanders I use to get the bulk of the handle material down, and shape the grip and hilt. The grinder I use with felt and fabric wheels to smooth, contour, and polish. I use crocus, white, and red rouge.(This probably takes longer than other methods, but it keeps me from making mistakes)

The kits I use have different types of fastening methods. For hilts/guards, I have seen nickel silver ones that you peen in place with pins and a hammer. They also have ones that you shape and then braze (solder) in place with a propane torch or similar. As far as handles, they may use pins which you epoxy in place, screw-in rivets(easiest), or hammer in rivets.

Handle material - dymondwood is pretty easy to work with. If you use other woods, make sure they are stabilized, and always treat them when you are finished. There is also micarta, gemstone scales, and horn, although my experience with horn was that it was a little more delicate than the woods. I once used turquoise, and it was kinda hard to work with, but came out nice on a damascus blade.

My first leather sheaths were the basic kits that Tandy used to sell. I found that these did not suit my needs, so I bought a hide and now make my own for each knife custom. You would need a leather punch, rivets and rivet tool, snaps, wax twine and needles, dyes and carnuba wax, and you imagination. You can get all that stuff on line at Heritan leather, or other places.

I had a hard time doing all this in an apartment setting. It's much easier in a shop. You need good ventilation, tables to work/hammer on, and watch out for sparks and sawdust. Also, wear a respirator or dustmask, those materials can give off nasty particles.

But definitely do it, it's tremendously rewarding to make and use these knives. One year I made some folders and fixed knives for my family. They knew that I put alot of effort into them, and appreciated that.

Good luck, hope I didn't bore you too much.:yawn:
 
glennbad,

Thanks for the response. You didn't bore me at all. That's the kind of info I was looking for.

Sounds like I should count on my first several attempts as throwaways. I had a feeling that a grinder was the most useful thing that I lacked. Not an option for me at this point though. I was thinking of carving the bulk of the handle material and then filing it and finally hand sanding it down. Hopefully I'll be able to choose a kit that doesn't need the guard to be shaped.

Any more tips or stories feel free to load them on me.
 
The only power tool thats hard to do without is a drill press. You really need your holes to be straight and square with what your working on. Doesn't mean you have to have one, but it makes life much easier. You can buy a small one from harbor freight for about $50, or you could go to sears or lowes and get a small one for about $100.
Beyond that its mostly hand work. You can use either a belt sander or file to rough shape the handle, but after that its hand work finishing things anyhow. You can use a buffer but its not necessary. You can get sandpaper up to 2000 grit which will pretty much be a mirror finish if you do your part.

For a fixed blade kit. Get a 2 sided (single and double cut) 8" or so file. Nichols are fine, they can be found at any hardware store. I'd also get a round file/rasp about 1/2" or so in diameter. And lots of sandpaper ( I like shop rolls from klingspore, but anything will do) (120,150,220,320,400) 400 grit will put a very good finish on everything for a knife you want to use. Get finer if you want to put a really high finish on stuff.
You'll need epoxy to put things together with, and a hammer of some sort. A 10 oz or so ball peen hammer is good but any smooth faced hammer will work.
Using regular wood is not any different than using diamond wood. In some cases its easier to work with in some cases its a little harder. You'll just need to seal it somehow after its put together. Use epoxy under the scales no matter what you use, that will help hold things together and seal the backside of the scales. For wood scales I like to finish them with Watcos Danish Oil. Its oil based and you just run it on with a rag, and polish it. Very simple to use.

Get some stuff and have fun, its not as difficult as it is time consuming and you'll have a knife you can be proud to use when your done.
 
Oh, forgot to ask....When you made the sheaths, were there instructions in the kit? How did you know what to do? Where did you go for instruction if you didn't know what to do?

I actually already have a leather punch, a hand stitcher with waxed twine, and snaps with a snap plier. The dyeing (and tanning?) process, shaping and waxing of the leather is where I have no clue.

And anything to do with rivets I have no experience, though I guess that I can just stumble through fairly easily after getting the equipment.
 
Matt,

Thanks for your insights. A drill press was something I also thought I might need. Hmmm...maybe I can buy one of those drill guides that you attach your drill to and it rides on these rails. Living in a small apartment in NYC means I have to conserve every bit of space I can.

I'm getting more encouraged to actually try this out now.
 
This first one for knife and sheath making:

http://www.homestead.com/beknivessite2/pouchsheath.html

This one has very clear pictures and instructions for a simple pouch type sheath:

http://www.knivesauction.com/knives/sheath.html

A short take on forming leather to your knife:

http://www.texasknife.com/TKS_Mainframe.htm?TKS_Projects3-sheath.htm~main

No pictures but good clear instructions and pointers. I think he also has kits and is easy to deal with:

http://www.ragweedforge.com/sheath.html

For some high quality Nordic style blades:

http://www.roselli.fi/1/eng/blade-order-eng.html

I've seen this book recommended a bunch of times. Geared toward making handles and sheaths for Scandinavian type blades:

http://www.cambiumbooks.com/books/hand_tools/1-887374-37-X/


Have fun!!!
 
I know there are different level kits, and that folders are more difficult than fixed. I'm thinking of trying out one of those beginner ones from Texas Knifemaker's Supply that have the fixed blade and all the materials (rivets, guard, scales) and instructions you need.
Click to expand...
That's all you need, my friend. Let your first knife be a practice knife. Don't worry about getting it perfect. Just have fun and be sure to make mental notes on how to improve (because once you start, there's no turning back...:eek: ).


1. For those, what kind of tools do I need? I have basic hand tools, and in terms of power tools I have a drill and a Dremel type tool from Black&Decker.
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As stated by others, hand tools will do the job just fine. Most everybody starts out that way.


2. Do I need anything special to put the rivets together? I've never dealt with rivets before.
Click to expand...
Don't get a kit with rivets. Get one with pins (solid bars of brass) or assemble a kit yourself of the various parts.


3. Any books I need to read if I want to use real wood instead of the "dymondwood" the kit will come with?
Click to expand...
Wayne Goddard's "$50 Knife Shop"
Ed Fowler's "Knife Talk"

You'll read 'em over, and over, and over again.


4. Any books that deal with leather sheath making?
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see above.


Eventually I'd like to try harder and harder kits as long as they're doable in a city apartment. Somewhere along the line I'd like to be able to take apart my Marbles in the cheap laminated wood and put a nice burl wood handle on it. And maybe even longer down the line I'd like to try to put together a kit with mother of pearl scales.
Click to expand...
Many knifemakers and hobbyists make their knives in tight/tiny spaces. I am one of those working in about 15 sqft. of space.

You have the right idea. Start basic and work your way up - learning along the way, not only what you like/dislike, but also what you are good/not-good at.


I've made a bunch of kit knives and would be glad to help you in any way I can. I'm not a knifemaker, I'm a "hobbyist". Of course, that might make me more sympathetic to your needs.


Also, don't bother with a folding knife kit right now. While it's true that Darrel Ralph does have a nice kit, it takes away all the fun because it's pretty much laid out for you. :rolleyes:

Give me a holler sometime
 
Hot dog!!!

Ichor those links on sheath making are very helpful. And yah, one of my goals is to put together a puukko one of these days too.

Pendentive, thanks for the answers. And your link in your signature on photographing knives is good bonus too. Getting better at photographing knives is something I need.
 
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