Knife making kits

[AdamSon]

Has anyone got any experience with these kits?

http://www.heinnie.com/-Knife-Kits/Karesuando-Knife-Kits/Knife-Kit-Carbon-Steel/p-881-884-4990/

I just want to know what the blade it's self is like, are they any good? Or should I buy a seperate blade and get he handle material seperate also, which will feel like more of an achievement too. I just want to give it a go, but don't want to be wasting my money.

Thanks.

 

[brancho]

The blades are very good and you can make a superb knife from these kits.


Here is one with some extra bits my mate started but I had to finish for him.


P8080011 by alf.branch, on Flickr

You will struggle to put one together for less buying all the bits.

 

[brancho]

Look HERE to see how I recommend you fit the bolster

HERE is a good tutorial on making one but you dont need the fancy clamp you can manage with a vice.

 

[AdamSon]

Fantastic thanks. Are they flat scandi grinds? Or do they have a secondary bevel? And do they take a good edge?

 

[brancho]

They arrive with a great edge. They have a secondary bevel which should be maintained for the strength of the edge and edge holding.
Flat Scandi grinds are rare in proper scandi blades and not seen in thin blades like this at all really.

Here is my first knife made with one of these

 

[AdamSon]

Thanks for the info, that looks great.

I do want a flat scandi, but I have a feeling they will be rather expensive to buy on their own?

I may buy one of these kits, or buy a mora robust and put a new handle on it as Tat2Trev suggested.

 

[HillBill]

I can make you a kit up if you are concerned about quality mate. My website is in my sig, i can do you any of those styles, full tang or stick tang, got loads of handle materials to choose from. It would cost a bit more than one of those, (prices start at £60) but you would be getting top quality stuff.

 

[MertzMan]

I started with a Karesuando kit, I got the bug and now I'm kitting myself out slowly but surely to make knives more regularly.

For the cash I think they're hard to beat. I found mine to be excellent quality, and a friend has made 3 so far with no complaints. It's almost a right of passage to start with a Karesuando kit

 

[AdamSon]

Right so a bit of a break through here, I have spoken to my dad and he actually has some deer antler and some lovely lumps of wood I can have!

So it's just the blade I need now, no less than 3mm thick, flat scandi grind, around 90mm blade length. Any reccomendations? I don't want to pay more than £30 max, including postage.

Thanks for the help do far.

 

[AdamSon]

I now have a blade, and I got some American black walnut and some bull horn off my dad, so watch this space!

Thanks for all the help once again!