Winter Kith’s?

I don't know about Canada but because of the Covid stuff shipping cost from Germany to the US about trippeled.
That stops me from joining
 
What is happening is the problem with a KITH that starts out with no direction. Some guy says, "What about an XYZ KITH?", and then the other chaps say, "What about an ABC KITH?" ... and so it goes. Eventually, somebody may offer to run a KITH, but there is no organization. I am still too busy to run a KITH this year. It takes a fair amount of work and communication to make it run smoothly.

Sometimes, it is wise to limit the entrants to a geographical location. like EU KITH or USA KITH, etc. This is due to shipping issues.

There should be some up front agreement that those entering have a minimum level of skills. Each entrant will have to be honest about his abilities before entering.

The only way a KITH works is one of these ways.
1) Open KITH - where anyone who wants enters and makes whatever they want. This means a fellow who ground one knife from a file is in as well as Bruce Bump ( if he chooses to join). International makers are also free to join, which means some folks make have shipping charges of $75 or more. Knives also don't cross borders well, and disappear. An open KITH has to have a few basic skills rules, like a minimum time on Shop Talk, or a minimum number of knives made, etc..
Open KITHs work the best.

2) Directed KITH. Either the KITH moderator chooses a style and sets up the KITH, or the people in the forum discuss it in the thread and choose a basic style knife that will be the KITH knife - Folder, kitchen knife, mini, hunter, etc.
This works fairly well as long as the entrants are honest about their skills.


3) Specific KITH. The people discuss it in the thread and choose a specific style knife that will be the KITH knife. Sometimes it is from a small group of exact profile types. JT has made the blanks before for those whop want to make the knife. You can use his blank or make your own as long as it fits the category.
This type KITH is the toughest, and usually has a low finish rate.

Final comment - without a volunteer KITH moderator starting the thread or stepping forward early, it will often descend into a, "too many chiefs" situation.
 
I’m in the same boat. I wasn’t able to run the last one I did properly, and it suffered. I just don’t have time right now.
 
Kevin Kf knives said:
If there is a folder kith, is it cheating to buy a folder kit from somewhere, and make my own blade and scales?
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Certainly not for me to say, but why not buy the kit and use the parts as your pattern, if that is where you are in your folder making journey, then YOU made the knife for the KITH?
 
DanF said:
Certainly not for me to say, but why not buy the kit and use the parts as your pattern, if that is where you are in your folder making journey, then YOU made the knife for the KITH?
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I bought one before, and that was the plan, I used a metal coping saw to cut out the parts, but just didn't work out. I guess I could give it another go
 
Kevin Kf knives said:
I bought one before, and that was the plan, I used a metal coping saw to cut out the parts, but just didn't work out. I guess I could give it another go
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If I was in your shoes, I’d think long and hard about entering a folder KITH if I could not give it my best effort due to a lack of close tolerance equipment.
Again, I’m not the guy to say, just my humble opinion.
 
DanF said:
If I was in your shoes, I’d think long and hard about entering a folder KITH if I could not give it my best effort due to a lack of close tolerance equipment.
Again, I’m not the guy to say, just my humble opinion.
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I probably won't think long at all. I'd do a regular kith, 99.9% sure I wouldn't do a folder. Thanks
 
Kevin Kf knives said:
I probably won't think long at all. I'd do a regular kith, 99.9% sure I wouldn't do a folder. Thanks
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It hasn’t been decided yet that this will be a folder KITH, it may be an open KITH where you can make anything?
That would be determined by whoever is running it.

Edit , it hasn’t been decided there will be a KITH period,at this point in time.
 
Form what i have seen KITH's the knives should be simple. They are mostly done by newer makers if it is open. Its tough for people to part with blades that are worth several hundred dollars when they are likely to receive a shop knife. This tends to cause most established makers to pull out. Simple knives like kitchen knives and EDC/Small hunters are great simple categories that are the first ones that a newer maker will be able to make reasonably well. I mentioned choppers because the are a change of pace and are simple enough and even one that isn't perfect will still chop brush or cut campfire wood. From what I have understood the attempts to make high end knives or limit skill levels have not gone well. My advice about limiting skill levels is limit it low rather than high. If someone wants to go into a beginners kith with a thousand dollar knife they have been warned. If you want to limit it high make a private invitational.

I'm down for something simple.
 
Deleted, ya’ll have fun.
 
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Storm W said:
Form what i have seen KITH's the knives should be simple. They are mostly done by newer makers if it is open. Its tough for people to part with blades that are worth several hundred dollars when they are likely to receive a shop knife.
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Honestly this is part which I can t understand no matter how hard I try .That come out every time when talk about new KITH start .I understand KITH as giving not receiving . Maybe I m best knife maker in world and if I'm IN in some KITH I would be happy that someone will get one of my knives...THAT s why I'm IN .....And I would be even more happy to get as you call it shop knives from novice knife maker.......I was there once to........everyone start with weird shop knife :D KITH should not be value thread or thread where someone expects to get better knife than what he give ...If I'm IN i do that to give........and would be happy with any knife I get ........because someone put the effort and time to do something for me :thumbsup:
 
Natlek said:
Honestly this is part which I can t understand no matter how hard I try .That come out every time when talk about new KITH start .I understand KITH as giving not receiving . Maybe I m best knife maker in world and if I'm IN in some KITH I would be happy that someone will get one of my knives...THAT s why I'm IN .....And I would be even more happy to get as you call it shop knives from novice knife maker.......I was there once to........everyone start with weird shop knife :D KITH should not be value thread or thread where someone expects to get better knife than what he give ...If I'm IN i do that to give........and would be happy with any knife I get ........because someone put the effort and time to do something for me :thumbsup:
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That’s the way I see it. Also, newer makers receiving a knife from a more seasoned blade smith will give then an idea of what they can aspire to be.
 
I've never participated in one yet (haven't felt I was good enough or was too busy), but always follow the threads eagerly. One thing I've seen is when the "less skilled makers" get a "better" knife, they can see what a great knife looks like and see the differences between what they make and what they received. Just having that example to go off on attention to detail can be a big boost to what they put out. And the "better" makers from what I have seen will give feedback (either publicly or privately) on what they should improve upon. Also making them better makers should they take the advice.
Like Natlek said, for the "better" makers they are giving their time and accept that to help our hobby/profesion improve and the lesser makers get feedback and a really good example of what they should strive for.
 
Natlek said:
Honestly this is part which I can t understand no matter how hard I try .That come out every time when talk about new KITH start .I understand KITH as giving not receiving . Maybe I m best knife maker in world and if I'm IN in some KITH I would be happy that someone will get one of my knives...THAT s why I'm IN .....And I would be even more happy to get as you call it shop knives from novice knife maker.......I was there once to........everyone start with weird shop knife :D KITH should not be value thread or thread where someone expects to get better knife than what he give ...If I'm IN i do that to give........and would be happy with any knife I get ........because someone put the effort and time to do something for me :thumbsup:
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Very good points Natlek! But I'll try to explain... Knife makers struggle to get by most of the time, it's a tough business. Hobby makers can afford to do kiths no problem but as they get more established and switch to full time, their prices go up because there is not only more demand but your total income and livelihood is dependant on what
You make and sell. So a high end knife maker may want to participate, knowing he may not receive the same quality, but can't afford to take the hit (if he needs to sell it in the future due to finances it wouldn't sell).

So I agree... It should be totally done generously!
 
The issue isn't about, "I made a $100 knife and should get a $100 knife ".
It is about a new maker on his second knife joining in a KITH that is supposed to be about making a knife of reasonable quality by somewhat experienced makers. Many new makers are so excited they don't realize their skills limitations. That is why a general range of knife styles, materials, methods, and value is usually given as a guide.

Many of us have gladly received a pretty basic knife in a KITH while having made a very nice piece to send off.
In past KITHs, I made a knife commensurate with my skills and materials on hand. I have been happy with every blade I received, regardless of quality and value, because the maker used his best skills and materials he had.

I'll post the KITH rules to a past KITH that went well.

It is time again for the annual KITH. The rules and info are below.

A few things to consider before joining in are:
1) Am I ready for this level of knifemaking? If your skills are still developing, it would be wiser to wait a year.
2) Am I financially ably to participate? The cost of materials and shipping are to be considered. If your recipient is in a foreign country, the shipping could be $50 or more.
3) Do I have the time to do this to the best of my abilities? If life's pressures and previous obligations will slow down or lower the quality of your build, maybe next year will be better.


A KITH is a Knife In The Hat...and old knife exchange tradition from the depression days.
In our version, you make a knife and it will get sent by you to a recipient. No one knows who gets their knife until all are done and a random assignment program is run. People can post "I'm In" now, but there is no problem if you don't post that, or if you don't get the knife done......You are not obligated until the Dec. 1,2015 deadline when all will have to post:
" My knife is ready and in a box ready to ship."

The KITH is open to all who wish to make a knife or similar tool ( sword, hawk, etc.) that they feel represents the best of their abilities and efforts. Brand new makers and those with only a few knives under their belt should sit this out until they develop their skills a bit more. All others should just try and do a good job. We have knives from fairly new makers to master smiths. All are given with the spirit of the KITH, and received just as gladly.

There will be no exceptions to the Dec.1,2015 cutoff. If the knife isn't finished by then, you won't get a shipping label....no exceptions. ( If you need the label early ,that won't be such a problem, but no extensions.)

So, if everyone wants to, lets get started. Here is the KITH:


2015 CHRISTMAS KITH
This thread is for all those interested in joining the 2015 KITH.
While it is usually called the Christmas KITH, it can be a Hanukkah KITH, or a Winter Solstice KITH, or just "The KITH". The purpose is to make a knife and give it away to another knifemaker. In return you will get a knife from someone. No one will know who they are making the knife for until after the knife is finished, and no one will know who they will receive a knife from until it arrives in the mail.

SOME BASIC RULES :

The entrant must make, finish, and box the knife by or before December 1, 2014. Once finished, the maker can then post on the “2015 KITH - I’m Ready” thread. This thread will be posted starting November 1, 2014. Photos of the completed knives can be posted on a separate “KITH Photos “ thread.
By December 5, 2015, I will make a shipping label for each entrant, from those who have logged on the “I’M Ready” thread. I will have a number generator randomly assign the recipients. The only examination of the names will be to assure no one is sent their own label. I will then email the name and address to each person in the KITH.

If you are interested in becoming a part of this:

Post on this thread,
“I’m In - I will make a knife by December 1, 2015.”
Also, sent me an email to, sapelt@cox.net . Give me you real name, your forum name, shipping address, contact phone, and email.

At this point, that is all you need to do. I will keep track of those who are interested in participating. I will post a reminder in November. If you don’t finish the knife, or if there is a conflict of schedule, there is no problem this way - the recipients are only drawn from those who have completed their entry by Dec. 1, 2015.

About the knives:
The entry can be any knife or bladesmith related item. Fixed blade, folder, axe, hawk, sword, etc. The only requirement is that it be made by the submitter ( For simplicity, I will refer to it as “the knife“). The workmanship should be of the best quality that you are able to do. Levels will vary depending on ability and experience, but if you feel your knife will be a suitable gift, then by all means enter. If you are just starting, and still learning the basics, perhaps sitting this year out would be best. The knife should be fully completed, and a sheath or case is advisable. You should provide all the pertinent information on the knife in a note to the recipient ( put this in the box). Outside services, such as Water Jet, Stabilization, and Heat Treatment are fine, but the workmanship on the knife should be yours.
The value level of the knife is up to you . It should be something that will be happily received by the new owner, but levels of value will vary, depending on the maker and their circumstances. It is a fun gift exchange, not a swap meet. It is not about what you get back for what you put in. Some knives will be worth $100, and others will be worth $400. I would suggest that you keep the knives in the general range of $200 in value, but it is totally up to you. No one is obligated to go beyond their means to enter this KITH.

Lets all have some fun and make some truly worthy knives.
 
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