Jim t's kith thread

Okay, just to make it real for myself, I figured I'd do the same as Icho and start posting my KITH progress. I've been giving it some thought and I've started drawing some ideas on paper. If I can get Photobucket to work for me, I'l start posting pictures of my plans after this weekend.

How's everyone else doing? I'm hoping more people jump on the bandwagon.

Jim T

 

I've got some sheaths to make, but it's a long weekend and I am playing stand-up bass and kazoo on the bandwagon.

 

Okay, been fooling around with my graph paper over the weekend trying to come up with something that might be a good, useable KITH design. Hope you can make sense of my pencil lines and chicken scratches.

I think I’m going to go with a drop point blade with a cutting edge of about 4 inches, probably CPM154, 5/32” thickness. I’ll likely try to fit it with a pair of stainless steel bolsters. Haven’t decided on handle material yet, but I have a selection of natural woods, micarta, G10 and so forth to choose from. I’ll cut out a blank from a piece of corplast first to see how it feels in the hand.

I’ll update this thread from time to time when I have some progress to show.

Jim T

 

You're a real artist!

 

The problem with the printed word is, sometimes you can't tell when the writer is being sarcastic... not to mention any names - Dan.

Jim T

 

Jim,

I meant that with the highest of praise. You clearly conveyed the design, with attention to dimensions and material choices.

Sans sarcasm,

Dan

 

I know, Dan. I didn't take it as anything but a face value comment. I was just joshin'. Even if you were poking me a bit (and I know you weren't), I'd better be able to take a little ribbing. After all, I'm hoping to get a straight up, no-nonesense critique of my KITH knife and and WIP pics. Can't improve without help, right?

Jim T

 

All great things start with a plan!

IMHO I'd go with the CPM154. ;-)

 

Whoo boy. Crazy busy with life in general, but I still managed to sneak a few minutes between supper and walk-the-dog duties to further refine my KITH design. Here's where I ended up tonight...

Took the pencil drawing and fiddled with it on the computer. You might notice I opted for an angled bolster and some pins in the handle that will give the whole thing a more decorative touch as opposed to the initial and somewhat lackluster pencil drawing above.


Then I cut the pattern out on a piece of paper and with the help of my handy-dandy can of spray adhesive, glued it to a piece of corplast which will serve as my template. Corplast is simply plastic, in this case about 1/8 inch in thickness. Easy to cut on a band saw, rigid enough a take a metal scribe tracing around its outer perimeter.


Then I rough cut the profile on the band saw...


And smoothed out the edges on the belt sander. The shape feels pretty good in the hand.


Next step is to transfer the profile to the steel using the corplast template as a trace pattern. Stay tuned.

Jim T

 

Very nice Jim! The angled bolster rear looks better. I also like what you did with the pin pattern in the handle section.
What software do you use?

 

I agree that angled bolster looks much better. Not sure about the pins though. But I might change my mind once the knife is finished...

 

Dan, the program is Microsoft Publisher. It has a few basic drawing tools although nowhere near as sophisticated as something like Adobe Illustrator.

Yeah, Roman, jury’s still out on the pin placement in the handle. At this point I still might switch it up a bit depending on what I use for scales.

Jim T

 

Been out with the flu for the last little while so I'm way behind with my KITH knife. Made several attempts at that Scandi grind and I think I'm going to work with this one...



I'll have to clean up the blade a bit before sending it in for heat treating (yeah, I'm that far behind), but I think this one might be workable. I hate to say it, guys, but I might have to ask for an extension on the deadline. Wish I had the capability, know-how and equipment to do my own heat treat, but as it stands, I send my my blades out.



Here's the other side of the blade. Comments, good and bad, are of course always welcome.

Jim T

 

Jim, nothing wrong with that grind. A little polishing and you're good to go. The shape is awesome!

Dan

 

I agree with guys. Looks good.

 

Thanks guys. I'm learning the hard lessons of patience and perseverance.

 

Guys, I've run into a snag. I have to take off for a little while, so I won't make the mid-May deadline for the KITH. So, here are my options: I can bow out of the KITH now with deepest apologies, or I can complete my KITH knife and send it toward the end of May.

Again, my apologies. Just too much happening all at once and no room for those minor crises that pop up unexpectedly. I bow to the will of the majority. Let me know what you think.

Jim T

 

I am okay with an extension. When our numbers are few, we have to stick together.

Dan