WillC
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2011
- Messages
- 2,142
- Reaction score
- 2
I would like the develop the off the shelf knife thing a little to try to always have more everyday/utility aimed knives available in my store.
Several reasons for this really. I would like to show more of my different price ranges in available stock. So as well as have the one off high end stuff, have more everyday/hard use knives.
The main area i fall down in producing something a bit more in bulk, is handles. In reality I can't see me turning out a couple of extra mono or san mai blades on top of custom work per week unless i have something pre-sorted for handles.
I don't like any of the bought in ones I have tried.......So I'm having a bit of an experiment in making simple handles in larger batches so I have some pre-made, or just the final shaping to do in stock.
This is also reliant on finding suitable and inexpensive wood in bigger chunks. This batch is Bubinga, which is very stable and easy to finish and maintain. like cocobolo and a few others it does not require stabilizing. And black wood ferrules, again, perfectly stable in its natural form.
So the blades will be my heat treatment, fully ground hand finished blades in mono stainless, and carbon. I will also do some san mai with the "house" handle. Only difference is the handles will be a bit more basic, so I will be able to make a time saving on handles and reduce the price. As a rough idea it will knock about £40 off the price of a 240mm gyuto having a "house" handle.
These will be a burned in tight fit rather than fettled, and just sealed with a bit of epoxy around the front of the tang, so more practical for future maintenance as a workhorse knife if the handle ever required replacing.
So some pictures
Natural Bubinga, simple but very suitable.
The first few blades (nearly finished )to get the "house" handle. Stainless 14c28n, 270mm Gyuto a 240mm and a 180mm Petty.
Coming up over the next couple of weeks, a 14c28n, Nakiri with hollow ground faces, and the same selection in mono carbon steel. These all to add to my store. As always I will send out a shout out to my mailing list and in my work available thread as they get added.
So this is a bit of an experiment for now, to see if the batch made handles help me on time enough to keep some simpler stock in hand as well as make headway on customs and one off damascus pieces.
I know I have not been terribly vocal recently, as i've had my head firmly against the grind stone but as always your feedback and input is very much appreciated. So let me know if you think the pre-made handles is a good idea for those who want practical over sheer bling.:biggrin:
Several reasons for this really. I would like to show more of my different price ranges in available stock. So as well as have the one off high end stuff, have more everyday/hard use knives.
The main area i fall down in producing something a bit more in bulk, is handles. In reality I can't see me turning out a couple of extra mono or san mai blades on top of custom work per week unless i have something pre-sorted for handles.
I don't like any of the bought in ones I have tried.......So I'm having a bit of an experiment in making simple handles in larger batches so I have some pre-made, or just the final shaping to do in stock.
This is also reliant on finding suitable and inexpensive wood in bigger chunks. This batch is Bubinga, which is very stable and easy to finish and maintain. like cocobolo and a few others it does not require stabilizing. And black wood ferrules, again, perfectly stable in its natural form.
So the blades will be my heat treatment, fully ground hand finished blades in mono stainless, and carbon. I will also do some san mai with the "house" handle. Only difference is the handles will be a bit more basic, so I will be able to make a time saving on handles and reduce the price. As a rough idea it will knock about £40 off the price of a 240mm gyuto having a "house" handle.
These will be a burned in tight fit rather than fettled, and just sealed with a bit of epoxy around the front of the tang, so more practical for future maintenance as a workhorse knife if the handle ever required replacing.
So some pictures
Natural Bubinga, simple but very suitable.
The first few blades (nearly finished )to get the "house" handle. Stainless 14c28n, 270mm Gyuto a 240mm and a 180mm Petty.
Coming up over the next couple of weeks, a 14c28n, Nakiri with hollow ground faces, and the same selection in mono carbon steel. These all to add to my store. As always I will send out a shout out to my mailing list and in my work available thread as they get added.
So this is a bit of an experiment for now, to see if the batch made handles help me on time enough to keep some simpler stock in hand as well as make headway on customs and one off damascus pieces.
I know I have not been terribly vocal recently, as i've had my head firmly against the grind stone but as always your feedback and input is very much appreciated. So let me know if you think the pre-made handles is a good idea for those who want practical over sheer bling.:biggrin: