Want to make a knife...Kits?

Mark Mitchell

Mark Mitchell

Joined
Feb 10, 2007
Messages
42
Hi Boys
This is Mark's better half, Holly.
I want to try my hand at making a knife and was wondering
what my best bet would be as far as kits go. I've check out
Texas knife supplies and googled a few others. I'm not sure
what would be the best to try as a starter project, so I am
turning to all you knowledgable individuals to help me out.
Oh and I want to do a fixed blade hunter or skinner.
Holly
 
Try Darrell's site, www.knifekits.com. If you just want a screw together kit with a little modifications here and there, get a folder kit. I bought one to learn how to make folders and it was very informative. Don't know how much you want to tweak, but there are a lot of different stage kits for whatever you're looking for. Good luck!!!
 
Thanks Eric
I want a little challenge. Prefer to do a fixed blade and want it to have a nice looking handle when I'm through. Don't think I'm up to much more than scales, hopefully pre-drilled.
 
Hey, no prob. I think pretty much all of his kits can be made a little more challenging based upon what choices you pick. You can even get into a little filework on the spine if you'd like an even bigger challenge!
 
Heres one you may be unaware of: Don Norris and David Ammons sell blades. Not cheap but an interesting approach because theirs are cast in 440C and D2 and pretty nice looking................... They offer them in 2 stages of completion. 1) Unpolished, undrilled, annealed but not heat treated or 2) Polished, drilled and heat treated.

http://anblades.com/

Syn
 
Thanks synthesist
Think we'll save that one for after I see how well I can do on a cheapie kit. Hate to get over my head just yet.Some nice looking blade, though.
 
There is a little blade called a "Coyote Skinner" that texas knifemakers sells. It is like 13 bucks and easy to do. It does not have a guard or anything. Make it w/ a couple kinds of wood for a nice contrast. I was not real impressed w/ the steel/heat treat, but had a lot of fun making the knife.
 
Wecome Holly. Texas Knifemakers Supply has a little blade called the Vented Skinner for 13.95, I have made a few of these and they are a nice little knife. Dymondwood makes a nice handle and is easy to work with, just shape, sand to at least 400 grit and buff. Good luck, and have fun.
 
Another option, but it may not be what you have in mind: Tom McGinnis of Ozark Knifemakers in Ozark, Missouri gives a great two-day knifemaking class. Since you live close by, it would cut down on cost, too.

I took the class a few months ago, several there from out-of-state, and you come home with a nice damascus fixed blade with your mark on it.

As a collector of a few custom knives, it sure opened my eyes up as to all that is involved in getting to the end product in knifemaking. Plus, Tom and his staff are just great to work with.


- Joe
 
Jantz has cheap kits you can get 'em for 10 bucks and up. they have some nice green river kits that are pretty easy. only problem is you get whatever diamondwood that they send. you don't get to pick.
 
I think knife kits are the best way to start out for new guys.

I got one from texas knifemaker supply and it helped me understand all the parts of a knife and how they work.
 
delbert ealy said:
Holly,
This may be a little early, but if you would like to try doing a damascus fixed blade I am now offering heat treated, polished and etched blades.
www.ealyknives.com
Del
Click to expand...

Yes, it's way early for that, but I've bookmarked your page. Of course, I like all your higher end stuff. How many folds is the 'Thunderstorm'? Is it bar stock or is there a tang? I'm going to send Mark's knife maker friend a link too. Thanks Del.
 
canineforge said:
Another option, but it may not be what you have in mind: Tom McGinnis of Ozark Knifemakers in Ozark, Missouri gives a great two-day knifemaking class. Since you live close by, it would cut down on cost, too.

I took the class a few months ago, several there from out-of-state, and you come home with a nice damascus fixed blade with your mark on it.

As a collector of a few custom knives, it sure opened my eyes up as to all that is involved in getting to the end product in knifemaking. Plus, Tom and his staff are just great to work with.


- Joe
Click to expand...

Thanks Joe
That is very close to me. Googled his site up and emailed him
To find out more.
 
Mark, by the way, I see from your photo that you hunt.
I would suggest that from now on you try to save the antlers...

I sure wish I had saved some of the ones I shot, now that I have learned how to turn them into handles.
 
Oh, decisions, decisions! Ended up choosing the Sam Houston skinner blade kit with dymondwood scales as my starter. Now let's see if my 5 years of experience in a machine shop 25 years ago kicks in. Safety glass, where are my safety glasses, remember that much at least. Hot metal chips down the bra, stainless steel burr splinters....oh never mind...bad memories!
 
Allan Molstad said:
Mark, by the way, I see from your photo that you hunt.
I would suggest that from now on you try to save the antlers...

I sure wish I had saved some of the ones I shot, now that I have learned how to turn them into handles.
Click to expand...

That particular buck he had mounted. That was Mark's best ever deer.Have the skull of his brother(or cousin or some other relation) hanging too, after we found his carcass in a ditch when we were taking down our stands the year before. He was a nice one too.
We keep all our harvested antlers, even the 'mutants'. May incorporate them, if I show any skill and patience at this.
 
OK. Got my kit yesterday. Whatever gave me the idea the handle scales would come already jigged?!? Oh boy, this should be interesting for a first venture. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions. Keep you posted.
Holly
 
Looking forward to hearing (and seeing) the progress! Never jigged a handle myself, good luck!
 
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