I limit my custom work to a backlog of no more than 10 knives. I currently have two available slots on the waiting list. You provide the knife and I do the stonework.
I do most folders - Buck, Case, etc. I need to see the knife first to be certain the scales can be safely removed and the style can be accomodated on my equipment. I have very top end equipment and use all diamond through 50,000 grit polish UNDER WATER SPRAY. If that doesn't get the polish expected I do have cerium oxide, aluminum oxide and sapphire dust as alternatives.
The knives go through 10 to 16 stages in grinding through polish and all under a water spray so carbon steel knives are at a risk for water damage; rust and etching. I tape the blades and bolsters but scratches can and do occur so it is a high risk to send mirror polished blades. I hand polish out the occasional scratches through up to 2000 grit. Rock grit can and does get into every pivot or slide. I am very carful and continually wash out the grit but it can affect close tolerance knives. There is a unlikely but possible chance of catastrphic failure for the knife. I use high speed spinning wheels and most are in a cast aluminum housing. I limit my replacement to $50.00. I have never lost a custom knife but I did have one of my first destroyed in an "event" I learned a lot from. That makes this a less than 1% probability.
So, with all that negative "stuff" stated up front -
The cost for most is: $50.00 plus the cost of the stone plus the shipping and insurance.
No one I know of comes even close to this deal. I have made and sold about 100 stone handled knives. I consider my skill level as good and as I am still learning I am offering my work at this low cost. If you do search for my posts you should find a few pictures of my stone art works.
I do most folders - Buck, Case, etc. I need to see the knife first to be certain the scales can be safely removed and the style can be accomodated on my equipment. I have very top end equipment and use all diamond through 50,000 grit polish UNDER WATER SPRAY. If that doesn't get the polish expected I do have cerium oxide, aluminum oxide and sapphire dust as alternatives.
The knives go through 10 to 16 stages in grinding through polish and all under a water spray so carbon steel knives are at a risk for water damage; rust and etching. I tape the blades and bolsters but scratches can and do occur so it is a high risk to send mirror polished blades. I hand polish out the occasional scratches through up to 2000 grit. Rock grit can and does get into every pivot or slide. I am very carful and continually wash out the grit but it can affect close tolerance knives. There is a unlikely but possible chance of catastrphic failure for the knife. I use high speed spinning wheels and most are in a cast aluminum housing. I limit my replacement to $50.00. I have never lost a custom knife but I did have one of my first destroyed in an "event" I learned a lot from. That makes this a less than 1% probability.
So, with all that negative "stuff" stated up front -
The cost for most is: $50.00 plus the cost of the stone plus the shipping and insurance.
No one I know of comes even close to this deal. I have made and sold about 100 stone handled knives. I consider my skill level as good and as I am still learning I am offering my work at this low cost. If you do search for my posts you should find a few pictures of my stone art works.
