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  #1  
Old 11-17-2008, 04:46 PM
GISspecialist GISspecialist is offline
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First folder kit

Here's my first folder kit, a DDR2 with buffalo horn scales and jeweling on the inside of the liners. I've been building fixed blade knives from factory blades for a few months, and it was time to try a folder. It came together well enough that I'm doing several more as Christmas gifts.

Any critiques will be appreciated. Thanks.

Rick DuBois
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  #2  
Old 11-17-2008, 06:39 PM
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Bill Vining Bill Vining is offline
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Nothing to critique here. Looks great to me. Keep it up!


I still have the first kit folder I ever made. I look at when I want to remind myself what not to do.

Bill


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  #3  
Old 11-17-2008, 09:45 PM
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SharpByCoop SharpByCoop is offline
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Hi Rick,

Welcome to the Knife Network forums.

You obviously have a real sense of skill and a good eye. That folder looks fantastic, especially as a first effort. I applaud your efforts, but....

... It's been a while since this topic was brought up, and it's pretty clear you are proud of your work. My but comes in at signing your blade. The standard for signing blades comes from those who create the knife as a handmade piece, and although that's grey and nebulous term, we long ago discussed the drawbacks of why it shouldn't be on a kit knife.

I suggest you read this thread and see what we discussed about it. the premise is as true now as it was then.

http://www.knifenetwork.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=10264

Let's hope you may find an alternate way to 'sign' your work that does not confuse a buyer--now or in the future that this was a kit. You see, that's the core problem.

Thanks.

Coop


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  #4  
Old 11-18-2008, 10:42 AM
GISspecialist GISspecialist is offline
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Bill, thanks for the comment.

Coop, This kind of feedback is why I wanted to post here. I certainly don't want to do anything that could be percieved as dishonest! I'm very new to this whole endeavor, and I honestly had no idea there were such strong feelings about signing a blade. It makes perfect sense now that you've pointed out the potential for misrepresentation.

Perhaps I hadn't thought deeply about it because I've started this as a hobby strictly for personal satisfaction, and the idea I might one day actually SELL a knife I made just hasn't been a part of my reality. However, I do plan to give kit knives as gifts, so the same concern applies. I'm glad you knocked me in the head before I had a chance to put knives into circulation. I do want to mark them in some way, though. From reading the thread you pointed me to, there appears to be a consensus that "Customized by" is acceptable on a kit knife, and I have no objection to adding those words.

Honestly, I don't see myself wanting to sell kit knives. Perhaps when I'm tooled up and actually making my own blades, I might try to sell some, but I just can't see myself selling finished kits.

I recently took a knifemaking class at the local vo-tech, so I now have ONE true handmade fixed blade that legitimately wears my makers mark. I'll probably post it in the Newbies Arena when I get it photographed.

BTW, the photos of the folder were shot using a dirt cheap light box I put together from white cardboard, a white kitchen trash bag and clamp lamps. I got it from a tutorial thread of yours. How'd I do?

Thanks for all the guidance, and my apologies to anyone I may have offended in my ignorance.
  #5  
Old 11-18-2008, 04:15 PM
Nayr1983 Nayr1983 is offline
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I like it Nicely done, one Question what method did you use to sign your Blade? I have a Folder I am giving as a gift that I would like to engrave with their initials but don't posses the skill to do so with a Dremel or the like, your's looks like Brushscript correct me if I'm wrong?
  #6  
Old 11-18-2008, 09:14 PM
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Hi Rick,

Once again, I see a man with integrity--both with his hands and in his decisions. Thanks for the clear explanations.

Occasionally we have come upon 'makers' who have offered knives made from kits with no indication to the potential buyers that they started out as well-made kit knives. You know as well as I that the folder is top quality. But when someone is purchasing a 'handmade' item and finds out later (after some education) he was misled, the bad vibes will tarnish everyone, and that potential client will move on. (this is, of course, it a worst-case scenario, but it's an ethical dilemma.)

Putting a name like customized or handfinished on the blade would qualify it in MY mind.

Your photos are exceptionally clear. Looks like you pay attention to the details!

Thanks for the dialog. BTW, my first kit was a DDR-2 and it is still in my EDC rotation!

Coop


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  #7  
Old 11-19-2008, 10:45 AM
GISspecialist GISspecialist is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nayr1983
I like it Nicely done, one Question what method did you use to sign your Blade? I have a Folder I am giving as a gift that I would like to engrave with their initials but don't posses the skill to do so with a Dremel or the like, your's looks like Brushscript correct me if I'm wrong?

I'm assuming you've read the other posts on this thread about the issue of signing the blade on a kit knife. It sounds like the folder you are giving as a gift is perhaps a factory knife with a maker's mark, and you are just wanting to personalize it for the recipient. I can't imagine anyone objecting to that, but if you are thinking of signing a kit knife you've finished (this is the kits forum, after all) I'd direct you to Coop's post to me on this thread.

That said, the answer to your question is it's electro-chemically etched. I bought a kit online called Etch-O-Matic. There are more expensive ones available that are probably better, but my only experience is with the Etch-O-Matic. It involves either making your own stencil through a process similar to exposing and developing a photographic film (I do it with another kit from Etch-O-Matic) or you can send your art off to have stencils made for you. Then you use a liquid etchant and the electric "marker" unit with your stencil to mark the blade.

As to whether mine is Brushscript, it may well be. It's one of the standard Microsoft Word fonts (I printed it on transparency film to expose the stencil) but I'm not at the computer I have it saved on right now, so I can't tell you for sure.

If this is just a one-time need for you, you might consider taking it to an engraver. Most malls have a Things Remembered store. They do computerized engraving while you wait on the products they sell, and I believe they would engrave your knife for a small fee.
 

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