Introduction

[uk ken]

Hello All

This is my first visit so I thought I'd better introduce myself. Some people here might know me from other knife forums but for those who don't.....I live in Leeds, West Yorkshire in the UK. I have been using and collecting knives since being a young lad and have decided to try to advance my making skills. This seems the place to learn, so, here I am!

Cheers, Ken

[Don Cowles]

Welcome aboard, Ken- glad to have you with us!

[ranger1]

Welcome Ken,glad to have you aboard.

[Ray Rogers]

Welcome, Ken! There is a great wealth of knife making informations here, the Search key is your friend and will help you find it. When that comes up short, there are dozens of knife makers willing to fill in the gaps....

[uk ken]

Thank you for the welcome gentlemen.

I have already strated looking around and think that a knife kit might be the least expensive way forward to start.

Cheers, Ken

[Bob Sigmon]

Welcome for the forum,

Ken, the kits are a great way to learn about building a knife. Whether fixed or folding, it will teach you about putting a knife together using proper procedures and techniques. The fit and finish of a kit takes a bit of learning and skill. Everything that you learn putting together a kit will apply directly to building your own knife.

After one or two kits you will know that you're hooked on knifemaking.

Bob Sigmon

[uk ken]

Originally Posted by Bob Sigmon

Welcome for the forum,

Ken, the kits are a great way to learn about building a knife. Whether fixed or folding, it will teach you about putting a knife together using proper procedures and techniques. The fit and finish of a kit takes a bit of learning and skill. Everything that you learn putting together a kit will apply directly to building your own knife.

After one or two kits you will know that you're hooked on knifemaking.

Bob Sigmon

Bob

Which one (fixed blade) would you recommend. I have always been interested in knife embelishment so I'll have a search for some advise here on engraving and etching.

Thanks for your help.

Regards, Ken

[Bob Sigmon]

Ken,

That depend on the style knife that you like. Do you want a hunter, a skinner, a fillet knife, a small everyday carry (can you carry a knife in the UK).

Check out -

KnifeKits.com

Texas Knifemakers Supply

Koval Knives

as a start these are some of the bigger suppliers.

If you like Pukko style knives, you might check for suppliers in Norway, Sweden . . .

I'm not sure if there are any basic suppliers on your side of the pond but there are several makers from the UK that are here on the forums that may be able to point you in the right direction for a more local source.

Most of the companies have print catalogs that you could order, sometime looking at a catalog easy for some guys.

Also rememeber that a "Kit" knife will come to you hardened, tempered and sharpened.

You'll have to protect the edge and the spine may be very hard to do filework on. You can use daimond files and grinding burs, but it is harder than working on softer annealed steel.

On this forum you can always get questions answered in the Kit Knife Forum. There are many knifemakers that have started by fixing up some kits and then as they acquire more tools they are able to transition into making their own knives.

Good Luck and have fun! Don't rush yourself.

Bob Sigmon

[NJStricker]

Bob,

Koval Knives is out of business as of last fall. They sold the last of their inventory to Jantz's. Which, by the way Ken, is another supplier of knife blades and other materials for their assembly.

[Bob Sigmon]

OOps, Sorry about that I knew that Mr Koval had passed but I hadn't ordered from them in a few years.

Thanks for updating me! I hate giving out bad info.

Bob Sigmon

[Don Robinson]

Jantz has updated the Koval web site and have the same inventory items now that Mick offered.

So koval knife supplies is still open, under the management of Jantz.

[Bob Sigmon]

Don,

Thanks, I had gone to the website and it was still there that's why I posted the link.

Bob Sigmon