What would you guys think about a D-I-Y Koster Knife Kit?

[Chiller2]

You forgot to include an option for all of the above.

 

[d_filgate]

Nessmuk with micarta handles gets my vote.:thumbup:
When, where and how many can we buy?????

Cheers
Dave

 

[teacher]

I think it is an excellent idea and would be in for anything you offer.... no other questions need be asked me ........ :thumbup:

 

[Suveges]

I picked Bushcraft with Osage Orange handles. I think the bushcraft shape is the easier one to finish out. Osage Orange isn't my favorite handle material, but it doesn't have the "hazardous / allergic" dust problem that some of the other materials do.

 

[Briggz]

Bush craft and kitchen knives. Hey we all have to cook sometimes

 

[JerkeeJoe]

I'd definitely be in for whatever knife design you decided to go with.

 

[Knife_Geek]

For around 50 bucks I would be all over

 

[tychoseven]

Seriously Dan, I'll get one no matter what you choose.

 

[tonym]

Great idea, I'm in as well.

 

[raythebigfoot]

Man I don't see why everyone's voting for the bushcraft blade...I mean don't get me wrong it's a sweet blade but there are tons of bushcraft type kit blades on the market. This is not to downplay Dan's bushcraft knife but it's just a popular style. On the other hand how many nessmuck and karda style kit blades do you see out there....I'd say about zero!!

 

[aliloff]

I'd buy it, in a heartbeat

 

[Jeff H]

What would you think about a do-it-yourself knife kit?........................


Well...whatcha think?


Dan

NO WAY!!!
Well, I mean - H3LL YEAH!!!

1) I think you should mark the blades so when one of us creates a "Mess-Muck" or "Bush-Crap" from one of your otherwise wonderful knives, others who see it don't think YOU did it. I don't doubt that most of us will make their best effort and do an excellent job but, after all, a "Koster" is a "Koster," not assembled by one of us.
2) I love the idea.
3) On the ones you do "runs" of, I hate to ask for "too much," not knowing where the line is between "custom" and one of the knives that are more economical for you to make. I don't know where it stops being equitable for you so - I could mess with the handle at least and try to achieve some "tweaks" while you focus on buidling them as you feel they "should" be and the way that makes it cost-effective for you to offer them.
4) I love the idea
5) It would be a great way to learn to do the handles and not have spent the effort on a sub-standard blade.

Great idea, Dan!:thumbup:

 

[ChapmanPreferred]

I would be in for 3-6 depending on if you did one or two designs.

 

[tedwca]

Hmmm, there is a very good reason you are a knife maker and I'm not.

Power tools and I don't get along. Heck, sandpaper and I don't get along.

 

[Daniel Koster]

You guys seriously crack me up....





How about the Pikal Parer?

I can see that in 1/8" 1095....could even leave it skeletonized. :thumbup:



I do like the K5 Karda idea....definite possibility. That one would be sooooo easy for me to do...I could even offer it in a thicker steel....maybe 5/32"? so you could leave it skeletonized OR glue it up....



Thanks for the great suggestions - keep 'em coming. :thumbup:

Dan

 

[Briggz]

I need to get one of your parers anyway for my wife, so hey I am all for that idea. Stainless though she leaves them in the sink, bad wifey.

 

[007 Agent ZZero]

You should do short runs of like 20 blanks and have them ground and HTed with no finish applied. That way the cost stays down, and you could offer the handle materials as pre-shaped to the handle at extra cost. At the price point you set I think these things will be constantly in demand. For handle materials you should go a low cost wood, and medium cost micarta. This is by far a FANTASTIC idea, most of us would love to have a hand in the making process.

 

[Daniel Koster]

Note for Ken C (mod) = your offer is gracious...and gladly accepted. We'll take it to PM from here. :thumbup:



I do like the idea of marking these separately...to distinguish the kit blades from the standard fare.

I am still making the blade completely...so I will still warranty it...and would like to keep my name on it somehow...





I also like the shorter runs/ more designs idea. :thumbup:


Maybe do things 20-30 at a time? Can still save costs at that quantity....and have more for people to choose from....those that want to skip the bushcraft, for example...won't miss out on a kit...because the nessmuk comes next, etc.



By the way....by "handle material"...I mean literally a block of wood. If I take time to cut it to shape and so on...the cost goes up quickly.

I'm trying to do this in a way so that I spend maybe 10 minutes tops per knife before it heads out the door. At $50 a pop....I'll HAVE TO do it quick to even stay in the positive.



Another idea....some blades may cost more than others...the nessmuk is a larger pattern...but is wonderfully easy for me to make...and comes in a thinner steel...so the cost would be less than a bushcraft - which has more holes...a guard/ricasso to deal with, thicker steel...and so on. make sense?



great suggestions so far, guys!!!


Dan

 

[Mark Nelson]

Like the idea Dan. Would love to get a chance to have one of your knives at a great price. Will handle the handle material myself.

 

[raghorn]

I'd go for one!