Recently completed knife kit

rebeltf

rebeltf

Joined
Jan 29, 2005
Messages
6,768
This is a kit from Knifekits.com , I believe it is a Darrel Ralph design.
This is my 7-8th kit ? I forget how many i've made , this one is FL-001
http://www.knifekits.com/store/s-pages/kk_store_1mainframe.htm?kk_products_folderkits_main.htm~smain
Good basic kit for the beginner , easy to modify and build :thumbup:
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I did some reprofiling on the frame ,changing the shape to my liking , I also reshaped the tip of the blade some to match the change in frame.
Simple "clamshell" filework on backspine area, pocket clip was also fielworked but turned out kinda funky , tried to do something different with the present holes.
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Used my own 'custom' stainless steel washers , verrrrry smooth opening , walk and talks nicely , locks with a decisive 'click'.
Thumb notches on top and notches on the lock.
Scales are beautiful African quilted mahogony , my camera skills do not do the wood justice , tons and tons of chatoyance in the light.
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Thumb stud , pivot screws , scale screws and clip heat colored.
I worked off and on , on this knife for about 5 weeks an hour here two hours there.
I tried to make a real backspine for it out of aluminum but messed up and gave up , maybe i'll give it another go next kit.
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Okay 74 views and not even a "that knife blows stick to crochet!" ?
Come on folks give me a few seconds of your time, does it outright suck ?, need improvement (where if so)? too gaudy ? Is it awesome and you want one for yourself ?

Gimme some sugar dammit ! :D
 
Right now I'm trying to figure out what "that knife blows stick to crochet!" means. :p

What wood did you use?

Looks good overall.:thumbup:

I would have radiused the bolster just a bit more and done the clip differently.
But hey, it's not my knife.
 
Took me a minute to recnognize it as the same knife my son got and assembled last Christmas.

Very nicely done, and a smart way to learn!

It don't do much for prestige, but I've found my sons to actually be a pretty darn good working knife too!:D
 
Nice knife!!

I like the way that you added some touches of your own. Changing the shape of the blade and doing other custom file work. The wood for the scales looks interesting. I appreciate your sharing this with us, hope to one day be able to put my own mark on a knife the way that you have.
Thanks for the pics.
Nate
 
The clip file work is good. They are so often left plain, with the rest of the knife getting all the attention.
 
I actually disagree... that specific filework (I understand it didn't come out as you intended, happens to all of us) looks fairly absentminded. The one other thing is I would've made sure that the edges of the overlay were perfectly flush with the surface of the liner and/or inset them some, also radiusing the outer edges of the wood. And although I appreciate the idea of heatcoloring the hardware to give it an individual touch, I think that the gold gives it too much "bling" dis-appeal.

But hey... who am I to complain, when I haven't done jack! (and it's not like I wouldn't carry that knife if it were mine, either)
 
I thought it turned out very very well. Great job. I will definately be checking out those kits. Thanks for the photos too.

Bull
 
Hey- maybe it's just the pics, but I think you've got yourself one nice looking knife there! I think I would replace the clip though- only because it looks to me like you left it too thin in spots and may be weak.

I don't know how much the kit and scales cost you, or how good the blade steel is, but I can tell you I'll be looking at some kits after seeing this!

Nice work, Thanks for sharing- pretty good pics, too

Can you tell us what is needed in the way of tools/equip?
 
Hey !! Thanks for the replies folks , been working hard all week and havent checked back to reply.

shappa - Right now I'm trying to figure out what "that knife blows stick to crochet!" means.
What wood did you use?
Looks good overall.
I would have radiused the bolster just a bit more and done the clip differently.
But hey, it's not my knife.
Click to expand...

Crochet , like knitting yarn into quilts :D The wood is Quilted African Mahonany. Thanks :)

Runs With Scissors - Took me a minute to recnognize it as the same knife my son got and assembled last Christmas.
Very nicely done, and a smart way to learn!
It don't do much for prestige, but I've found my sons to actually be a pretty darn good working knife too!
Click to expand...

Thanks :) Yea , these kits are a great way to learn the workings of frame lock folders.

thegratenate Nice knife!!
I like the way that you added some touches of your own. Changing the shape of the blade and doing other custom file work. The wood for the scales looks interesting. I appreciate your sharing this with us, hope to one day be able to put my own mark on a knife the way that you have.
Thanks for the pics.
Nate
Click to expand...

Thanks :) The wood turned out as nice as I thought it would , glad it did too because it took some 'doin' to get it right , although I can see flaws where it doesnt quite meet the frame in spots...

me2 The clip file work is good. They are so often left plain, with the rest of the knife getting all the attention.
Click to expand...

Thanks! In retrospect I overdid it on the clip , shoulda left the holes round , the rest of it i'm pleased with though. I usually decorate all my pocket clips in some form , even on my production folders.

Lucky Bob I actually disagree... that specific filework (I understand it didn't come out as you intended, happens to all of us) looks fairly absentminded. The one other thing is I would've made sure that the edges of the overlay were perfectly flush with the surface of the liner and/or inset them some, also radiusing the outer edges of the wood. And although I appreciate the idea of heatcoloring the hardware to give it an individual touch, I think that the gold gives it too much "bling" dis-appeal.
But hey... who am I to complain, when I haven't done jack! (and it's not like I wouldn't carry that knife if it were mine, either)
Click to expand...

Thanks :) I am quite open to criticism, as it only serves to point out flaws I might not noticed. I went pretty silly on that clip , a few cups of coffee and I was all over it like a pit bull on a poodle and you see the results... lol
Yea , the frame and wood do not meet perfectly in all places , would not be too difficult to fix that.
The heat coloring turned out okay I think , I wanted more of a blueish/purple instead of the bronze/brown , but it did add some interesting contrast I think.

bbqbull I thought it turned out very very well. Great job. I will definately be checking out those kits. Thanks for the photos too.
Bull
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Thanks and no problemo :)

MVF Hey- maybe it's just the pics, but I think you've got yourself one nice looking knife there! I think I would replace the clip though- only because it looks to me like you left it too thin in spots and may be weak.
I don't know how much the kit and scales cost you, or how good the blade steel is, but I can tell you I'll be looking at some kits after seeing this!
Nice work, Thanks for sharing- pretty good pics, too
Can you tell us what is needed in the way of tools/equip?
Click to expand...

The kits are 17.00 $ a pop , nice and cheap for some educational fun :)
Blade steel is AUS8 , not bad at all , especially for the price.
Tools..... Well if your lucky enough to have power tools like grinder , belt sander , etc then your set aside from torx drivers , files and grades of sandpaper and a vise comes in handy...
However if you have nothing , you can still build the kit with just the correct size Torx.
I did mine in my "shop" which is my kitchen lol. I use my vise , different files , and several grades of paper from 320 grit to 1500 , I also have wood finishing goodies , tung oil and beeswax etc..
If you just wanted to build the kit plain you could easily do it inside of an hour although you will need to file the blade a bit so it locks perfect. You will understand once you see the kit.
I also Heavily recommend one does the following.
Read the instructions a few times and ... Lay all parts out so you can see whats what. There are a few different sizes of screws and some only go in certain spots.
The blade comes pre-sharpened but I reprofiled mine to a thinner edge and a 'pointier' tip. Also the kit comes stock with nitrolon washers , those stink IMO , go with the phos bronze washer upgrade or make your own like I did.

bottom line ? The kits are cheap in cost , and so-so in quality , comparable to maybe a lower end CRKT (IMO), the finished kit seems a little flimsy to me , even with steel washers and loctite.
Still though they are fun and if you wish you can always give them away to friends and family like I do :D

Thanks again folks.

I'll post pics of my next kit which I'm working on now.

Todd
 
The design in and of itself is far too gaudy for my tastes. However, I like the workmanship of the kit and the assembly you performed.

I think it would look much better if you polished the metal still in the white to remove the lines, and removed the glare from your pics.

Over all for your 7th or 8th project a great job. :thumbup:
 
Terry Newton said:
The design in and of itself is far too gaudy for my tastes. However, I like the workmanship of the kit and the assembly you performed.
I think it would look much better if you polished the metal still in the white to remove the lines, and removed the glare from your pics.
Over all for your 7th or 8th project a great job. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the honest critic :) it only serves to point out flaws I have overlooked and proves what is acceptable and unacceptable to folks , I appreciate it.
The lovely thing about these kits is I could do exactly as you pointed out (and I will) with ease, simply remove a few torx and off I go ! :D
My pics arent that great but , they ued to be much worse heheheh...

Wait till I post my next kit.

JurT - Very nice job
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Thank you Sir ! :D :) :cool:
 
I could do so much better! :eek:


Actually I couldn't, seriously though, great job man. I have been wanting to try one of these for so long but I'd screw it up I know it! :mad:
 
Hey bro , sorry for not answering sooner , work has been a bear.

If you order from Texas Knife Makers , I would do the couple extra dollars for express , usually takes about 5-7 days.
One time I ordered on monday and received it on saturday , not too bad I guess.


I could do so much better!


Actually I couldn't, seriously though, great job man. I have been wanting to try one of these for so long but I'd screw it up I know it!
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I hope you can do better :D Just remember to lay down a white towel or t shirt and spread everything out so you can see whats' what , that really helped me a lot , different screw sizes and so forth.
Also I recommend doing the phosphorous bronze washer upgrade for a few bucks , adds a lot more stability.
Might want to tape the knife edge before assembly so as not to cut yourself too.
Post pics bro when your done and if you have any questions I'll lend you a hand for sure :thumbup: :D
 
Wow. For the price, that's a great little kit. Seems like a decent idea for getting a start in knifemaking... I might have to order one (or more. :D )
 
Welcome to knifemaking! A good job well done. Modifying the kit like you did shows that you have originality and creativity.
 
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