Trad Gang
Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: Nala on December 26, 2008, 01:21:00 AM
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Hey all,
I know of one place that sells kits for knife making. They are pretty simple looking in that the blade is already formed and even sharpened. All you have to do is the handle part.
Since I have never made a knife before, and always wanted to try it, I think the kit idea is a good option for those like me that have ZERO experience and NO specialized tools that are needed. I know that after completing a kit or 2, I would want to go it alone and probably stop using kits, but I ain't there yet.
I see a post where another user made a great looking knife from a kit. Other posters made comments about other kits as well or that they got their blades from pre-made blade blanks.
Could you all post the places that have knife kits or blade blanks that are of good quality where you would end up with a decent knife if you follow instructions? I have seen places in the past that sold blade blanks but I had no idea at all about the quality. For all I knew the blade blanks were stamped out of old metal from junk cars in Tblisi or Bangladesh.
So what kind of kits are avialable for those of us that would like to give this beautiful art of knife making a try?
Thanks for your time and help.
I appreciate it.
Nala
P.S. Just so you know, I have no illusions that making knives from a kit is anywhere near what you ARTISTS create. The 2 aren't even in the same zip code! There aren't any shortcuts to get where these Master Craftsmen are with their pieces.
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Wingnut here sells the Helle blade kits, they come wicked sharp and make a good knife.
If you prefer something else, you can go to Texas Knife Supply, Jantz, or other knife supply companies.
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I second what dan said. A kit is definitely the place to start. Check out the helle blades from dryad bows(wingnut)or skullworks is selling a few kits in the sponsors classidieds.(it's always best to supprot the sponsors here first I think) or I also found a place called knifekits.com you could try. I have not tried any kits yet but will be ordering up a few premade blanks to work on. good luck and let us know how you make out. SKippy
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I think Dryad/Helle are your best bet. Mike and family stand behind all their products like no other and the Helle blades are good quality.
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Thanks for the help. I have looked at the Helle blades before and I have read LOTS of great reviews of them. It seems they are loved by everybody. I may have to try one and see how it comes out.
I'll check out the other places too.
Nala
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helle is the only way to go for kits
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Hard to beat the quality of the Helle blades. Here's my second I finished before Christmas for my landowner - this includes the sheath.
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j87/SOS_321/Quiver/P1180197.jpg)
Here's my first that I love and has dressed several deer and hogs.
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j87/SOS_321/000_0018.jpg)
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On these Helle Blade kits, where do you get the handle material?
Nala
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They sell wood blocks or you can use your own material. They are a great knife to start with. Be sure to tape the blade as soon as you get it to protect your fingers and the shiny finish!
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very nice knife , i just bought a kit from dryad, hope to make my first one next week
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Nala,
The top blade in my post was their #99 Kit includes the blade, curly birch (the lighter wood) and the pre-cut leather for the sheath. I added a welt to the sheath and it helped accommodate a slightly thicker handle than their plan - which I like. I bought a chunck of cocobola for another $5 bucks. The kit is about $50...the antler my daughter shot.
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I like to try different knives to see how they hold an edge. I have tried a few and Helle has been the best so far. I did a whole elk this year and it was still very sharp. Plus the blade is very strong because it is laminated. The toughest blade I have seen. Gary