Long ago in a forum far far away... I was a moderator on the Knife Kits forum on Knife Network. WHILE I began honing my skills as a photographer, I was amassing equipment and skills to begin a knifemaking career.
Kits are a great launchpad to learn basics of
finishing. (80% of the hardest work is already done.)
Fortunately/Sadly/Smartly(?!) my photo work eclipsed my cutlery dreams. However, I created many cool examples. a few which I still carry.
Allow me to indulge with some nostalgia....
I've always liked scallops, filework and bevels. I tried to incorporate them all.
I pimped this Microtech D/A with sandblasted bolsters, carbon scales, red liners, and aggressive filework.
Speaking of filework, I developed this 'starburst' pattern back then.
At the time, I had not seen anything like it.
I still own this one and carry it often. It has every cool 'trick' in the book. True story: In 2002 I brought this to an ABS hammer-in in NYS. I proudly showed it off and handed it to JD Smith, MS, who spent time looking it over.
He smiled and handed it back to me; "It's got it all. However, it's a mess of clashing styles and none of them mate. Sorry." My first real lesson on the subtleties of a GOOD artist.
Sometimes less IS more....
I've always enjoyed the transition on RWL's knives from a flat bolster into a rounded handle. Here, I pronounced that aspect.
I still have a shop full of finishing machines and equipment, and a half dozen kits still in plastic bags. Some year....
Thanks for allowing me to indulge in some nostalgia and fill some posts. BTW you may find
all of these models here.
Also: I NEVER supported any 'maker' marking names on the blades. That is reserved for a true 'handmade' knife. At most, I was suggesting a mark might be inclusive of the term '
Handfinished by...' We have all heard of egregious folks selling nicely made 'kits' as customs. Not cool.
