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KFU

Part Time Knifemaker, Moderator
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Sep 10, 2007
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I have been thinking alot lately about an all in one, do everything package I can offer when selling a knife. Obviously there would be additional charges for extra items and was wondering if you guys would pay more for the items, and what would you like to see come with a knife. Im looking for ideas here. For example: Here is a recent Bushcraft knife that I recently sold. Me and my leatherguy came up with the design for the sheath so you can wear it horizontal, vertical, dangler, LH or RH. I was thinking about offering a light my fire firesteel with matching wood on future knives. This would add probably 20.00 or so to the package that is selling for $105.00. Is it worth it you you guys? What else would you like to see come with a custom knife?

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I bet I know whats for you XanRa!!!!!!!
 
Chris, firesteel would be a good idea, I have actually tinkered around making a few out of cherry, maple, walnut, etc.
I don't think I would use this idea, but I have also seen some leather sheaths with a pouch of varying sizes on it, from holding a whetstone to an Altoid's tin. The firesteel idea I would opt for, the pouch, maybe. But also remember when deviating from the norm, labor & material have a way of eating at your bottom line . . . . :D
Be safe.
 
Yeah, I hear ya J1M. A pouch would be great but it would add too much bulk to my sheath I think. If I did offer a firesteel it would be a quality one, not the cheapies. I think a matching steel would be great but would you pay 20.00 or so extra for it?
 
KFU said:
Yeah, I hear ya J1M. A pouch would be great but it would add too much bulk to my sheath I think. If I did offer a firesteel it would be a quality one, not the cheapies. I think a matching steel would be great but would you pay 20.00 or so extra for it?
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Yeah Chris, I would, on one condition. As long as that firesteel had the same great craftsmanship your knives do, I think it would be something no one else is offering, & matching the grips/slabs/handles/scales to the grip on the firesteel would be a nice touch. You just have to be careful about what firesteel rods you get, a lot of "less desireable" ones are out on the market.
Good idea to think about, just make sure you can do it for that $20.00 & not the "or so" part, & still leave you some $$$$ for the electric man . . . . :D
Be safe.
 
Yeah, I would use Light My Fire steels because IMO they are the best, or at least they work the best for me. I could do it for 20.00 as the wood is already being used for scales. I get most of my wood in scales so I would have to sandwich them to a liner of some sort to make up the 3/8 thickness.
 
Chris, don't foget, you will need to be about 5/8" - 3/4" net overal thickness on these. The rods themselves are 3/8" dia.
Take your scales and laminate them together to come up with your thickness. If they only come in 6" - 8" lengths, you can get 3-4 handle grips from each block, & I don't think anyone would mind one of two glue joint lines, especially if you are using dark wood.
Play around with this and see what they would look like. Going Gear has a great selection of just the rods themselves. Kind of interested to see what you come up with.
Again, great accessory idea for you knives.
Be safe.
 
I like the sheath! I often carry horizontal/cross draw, but there are times where having a vertical carrying option would be nice; yours is a great set up! If you can make the fire steel combo under your price point (including labor), it would be a great option to offer it with a matching handle. I'm not sure how labor intensive it is with a wood handle, but I made several Going Gear firesteels with the small capsule handle for tinder...took some time for drilling, fitting and setting with JB Weld. If you did half a dozen at a time (ala assembly line), it could be much more feasible. $20 for a matching handled firesteel is something I would include for an order.

ROCK6
 
I, personally, would not buy one unless the firesteel was replaceable. But that's just me.

In a perfect world (for me) the handle would be drilled and tapped, or have a threaded insert, and there would be a small hole going into the cavity threaded for a small nylon grub screw. You screw the grub screw in until it's just poking into the handle's female threads and then screw the firesteel in. Ideally, the firesteel would cut into the nylon grub screw providing friction, resistance, etc. and prevent unscrewing. To replace the firesteel in the handle simply back the grub screw out and unscrew it.

However, it isn't a $20 solution...
 
Great set up. I want one someday. The extra for a firesteel is acceptable. Another idea is a small pocket on front of sheath.
 
I really like horizontal carry and yours have the addition of other options, that's AWESOME! The $20 matching firesteel is a great idea too. Bark River has matching firesteels but they are a bit pricey IMO. I like your work and admire it. Looking forward to what you do next .....
 
Thanks for all the suggestions guys and for the kind comments. I have been talking with my sheath maker and he is going to make me up one like above with a pouch for a stone or tinder. We are probably also going to be updating the dangler. I have had two people give me feedback, one saying he likes how it swivels so when you sit down you can move the knife horizontal, and one that said he would rather have it fixed so it doesn't move when hiking. Im going to have him make longer straps and use two screws so that you can still swivel if you take one screw out, but it also be fixed with two screws. He is also going to make me an essentials pouch that I can use to see if I like it. Something about 5" wide and 4" inches tall so you can have a tin and room for other crap.
 
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