The "Ask Nathan a Question" Thread

Nathan the Machinist said:
No I'm serious. We used to do 400 - 600 and send half of those to a pre-order. But the field knives, we've done over 800. Probably closer to 900. And we're going to go back and do more even though the sales are slowing down. I want to have shelf stock. I want people to be able to go on the site and buy what they want without any drama. I'm going to go back into production on that pattern so we can have some available for people without having to jump through hoops. I never wanted people to have to jump through hoops.

And we're making a lot of these EDC also.

Right now we are scrambling because shiv is late and we need to get spooled back up on the K20 sword production. I really wanted to have 10-in choppers by the end of the year. We are awfully damn busy right now and the complexity of a pre-order does not fit in to our production right now. It's complicated. They're complicated. But it is an important part of our culture here, where people can order specialty items and we set it all up where we can crank those out like a short order cook. I understand it's important to people and I'm going to continue to accommodate. It's just tricky fitting it in sometimes.

Seriously though. I want to have field knives and EDC in basic configurations on the shelf and available on the website without people having to pull their hair out to get what they're wanting.

... Still need to do the skinner, dagger, folder, brush cutlass and kukri. Maybe an axe...
Click to expand...
Some of the best news I have heard! Thank you.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
No I'm serious. We used to do 400 - 600 and send half of those to a pre-order. But the field knives, we've done over 800. Probably closer to 900. And we're going to go back and do more even though the sales are slowing down. I want to have shelf stock. I want people to be able to go on the site and buy what they want without any drama. I'm going to go back into production on that pattern so we can have some available for people without having to jump through hoops. I never wanted people to have to jump through hoops.

And we're making a lot of these EDC also.

Right now we are scrambling because shiv is late and we need to get spooled back up on the K20 sword production. I really wanted to have 10-in choppers by the end of the year. We are awfully damn busy right now and the complexity of a pre-order does not fit in to our production right now. It's complicated. They're complicated. But it is an important part of our culture here, where people can order specialty items and we set it all up where we can crank those out like a short order cook. I understand it's important to people and I'm going to continue to accommodate. It's just tricky fitting it in sometimes.

Seriously though. I want to have field knives and EDC in basic configurations on the shelf and available on the website without people having to pull their hair out to get what they're wanting.

... Still need to do the skinner, dagger, folder, brush cutlass and kukri. Maybe an axe...
Click to expand...
Wait… an Axe?
🤤
 
Kulainn said:
Wait… an Axe?
🤤
Click to expand...
Yeah I want to do something like a 2 lb boys axe. Something like a small forest axe? Most everything I see today is overly simplified, you don't see the contouring geometry like you used to see on something like a Plumb, and nobody is making an axe with optimal metallurgy.

One of my challenges however is the math.

If the starting billet is 6" x 4" x 1", the raw material starts off as 7 lbs of CPM-3V. Never mind the machining cost, do you know how much CPM 3V costs for seven pounds of it?

... Even before you get into machining, heat treat, and finishing, the raw material cost is a problem.

This is something I want to tackle someday, but I have to think it's going to be a very small run because there's not many people wanting to drop this kind of coin on an axe head
 
MarbReds said:
Nathan, RE the picture you posted a couple pages back, will the ECAM scales be an option on the coming Friday EDC sales?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Friday sales? No, probably not. However if you like the appearance and feel and function of the old ECAM (probably Westinghouse) Micarta, try the "new" (International Paper) canvas Micarta. It's practically the same material and I bought tons of it so I can offer it for a very reasonable price. It's good stuff and I'm able to offer it as a standard offering.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
Yeah I want to do something like a 2 lb boys axe. Something like a small forest axe? Most everything I see today is overly simplified, you don't see the contouring geometry like you used to see on something like a Plumb, and nobody is making an axe with optimal metallurgy.

One of my challenges however is the math.

If the starting billet is 6" x 4" x 1", the raw material starts off as 7 lbs of CPM-3V. Never mind the machining cost, do you know how much CPM 3V costs for seven pounds of it?

... Even before you get into machining, heat treat, and finishing, the raw material cost is a problem.

This is something I want to tackle someday, but I have to think it's going to be a very small run because there's not many people wanting to drop this kind of coin on an axe head
Click to expand...
Extended poll for banging wedges(or other stuff) would be much appreciated.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
Snip... we're making a lot of these EDC also.

Snip... I really wanted to have 10-in choppers by the end of the year.

Snip... Still need to do the skinner, dagger, folder, brush cutlass and kukri. Maybe an axe...
Click to expand...

IIRC, a new version of the CPK-Keffeler Chopper/Cutter had also been mentioned as a thing on your whiteboard? Unless the complexities of yet another preorder plus the price of billets of CPM-4V or Vanadis 4E are also giving you some thoughts / hesitation for another run?
 
Mendoman said:
Extended poll for banging wedges(or other stuff) would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

I still have a lot to learn about axes, but I'm pretty sure an extended pole is functionally important for balance. I think it helps control rotational impulse.

There are a ton of things that you see (or don't see) in a modern axe head that have more to do with expediency of production than function. But yes, it's going to need a meaningful amount of weight at the back of the head behind the handle. If I ever make an axe, you'll get your poll
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
I still have a lot to learn about axes, but I'm pretty sure an extended pole is functionally important for balance. I think it helps control rotational impulse.

There are a ton of things that you see (or don't see) in a modern axe head that have more to do with expediency of production than function. But yes, it's going to need a meaningful amount of weight at the back of the head behind the handle. If I ever make an axe, you'll get your poll
Click to expand...
When you get that prototype ready feel free to slap a badmotherfucker on there and send it over. I’ll be more than happy to put it through the paces and give feedback. It is literally illegal for me to be without an axe while I’m working.
 
Last edited:
Nathan the Machinist said:
I still have a lot to learn about axes, but I'm pretty sure an extended pole is functionally important for balance. I think it helps control rotational impulse.

There are a ton of things that you see (or don't see) in a modern axe head that have more to do with expediency of production than function. But yes, it's going to need a meaningful amount of weight at the back of the head behind the handle. If I ever make an axe, you'll get your poll
Click to expand...
It brings me great joy to hear you're planning on a traditional axe with a proper poll rather than some tacticool mall ninja axe type thing.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
No I'm serious. We used to do 400 - 600 and send half of those to a pre-order. But the field knives, we've done over 800. Probably closer to 900. And we're going to go back and do more even though the sales are slowing down. I want to have shelf stock. I want people to be able to go on the site and buy what they want without any drama. I'm going to go back into production on that pattern so we can have some available for people without having to jump through hoops. I never wanted people to have to jump through hoops.

And we're making a lot of these EDC also.

Right now we are scrambling because shiv is late and we need to get spooled back up on the K20 sword production. I really wanted to have 10-in choppers by the end of the year. We are awfully damn busy right now and the complexity of a pre-order does not fit in to our production right now. It's complicated. They're complicated. But it is an important part of our culture here, where people can order specialty items and we set it all up where we can crank those out like a short order cook. I understand it's important to people and I'm going to continue to accommodate. It's just tricky fitting it in sometimes.

Seriously though. I want to have field knives and EDC in basic configurations on the shelf and available on the website without people having to pull their hair out to get what they're wanting.

... Still need to do the skinner, dagger, folder, brush cutlass and kukri. Maybe an axe...
Click to expand...
This is all awesome to hear, and I'm sure you and the crew can handle it!! 🙂

The question that I have is: With all of this CPK goodness headed our way, can I just have Jo set me up on automatic monthly withdrawals? Like Netflix and my cellphone bill??😁
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
I still have a lot to learn about axes, but I'm pretty sure an extended pole is functionally important for balance. I think it helps control rotational impulse.

There are a ton of things that you see (or don't see) in a modern axe head that have more to do with expediency of production than function. But yes, it's going to need a meaningful amount of weight at the back of the head behind the handle. If I ever make an axe, you'll get your poll
Click to expand...
Nathan:
The idea of y’all making a small axe is pretty amazing. I have been very happy with my Gransfors Bruk Swedish forest axe regarding the size, shape and performance. It isn’t ideal for everything, but is great for lots of chores and the size is great in a pack.

When you have a moment, could you describe what differences your axe might have? I am no axe expert, but do use them pretty frequently and I am intrigued because of what your knives can do, and that you are such a perfectionist.

Thank you for your time, and being accessible to your following!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top