Pen blanks for carrving knife handles?

Thomp · #11 05-09-2007, 04:33 PM

hummm, this got kinda big,
let me see where in the continuing saga of can you glue up 3/4x3/4" pen blanks to make bigger handle material
where we left off. day before yesterday...

or better yet.. let me tell you what brings me to this question.

I have made some knives in the past, some turned out great, learning from my failures, i think i might have a knack for this. if i can do it economically.. without throwing money at the problems as they pop up.

after making the banana knife from the pocket knife conversions of a 3 blade stockman with a broken henge spring, i looked at the possibility of making a few knives and offering them for sale, and recently i checked with the bank and there willing to support me in a business loan. for a woodcarving mom&pop shop.
if it becomes too much of a job it will be strictly limited to buy and sell carving supply store.. or ill just go back to carving ... and eat it

in an honest effort to find runnable materials to supply a ongoing customer based business venture, with possible secure internet sales later. but think of the brick and mortar as really small here. garden shed kinda shop..

i was trying to find the best pre made blades, selection of handle materials and options for the customer base interested.. and provide the best quality low priced tools i could make or stock. to get it off the ground, and keep investment out of the hands of the bankers until that part of the business came apparently necessary.

hey i got to do something to pay some social security here and i been beat out of my skills and training being medically retired.
It dont look like im gonna die any time soon so, and im not handicapped by social security standards. but you can't be hired after you have a 4 way, except for a McJob.... im left to do what i think i can do before we starve here.

So you can spend a fortune on parts, thus increasing the cost per item, which drives away the most of the beginning carvers, when you get above $15.00 on a knife.

but buying all over the country shipping and handling will eat you alive.
with shipping and handling alone.
I know buy in bulk...

indications show on what i found.. i can get parts to my shop for a great quality cryogenically tempered carbon stainless steel carving knife for about $25.00 maybe a little more. that just needs the handle shaped pinned, & honing to be carving ready.. but shipping and handling is over $17.00 because of having to buy from different places. this dont account for the specific tools maintence and consumable supplies, OR MY WAGES...haha

ever broke a knife and got the 2 part grantee?
seldom do you get replacement service. and only rick offers free sharpening on things you buy from him....
Ill never be as good as rick nor would i want to compete with him.. but hes overworked any way.

cerndog, "grab boxes" from wood craft..
sounds like an idea ill look into it.

FK, Kenny, Cerndog, Tom h. and captn,

turning blanks is a great bargin looking into that.
pallets do come in many mystery woods as well as oak and hickory,,
texas knife makers are great suppliers and im looking as fast as i can on that site for reasonable items
Tom. if i didnt give specifics, 1x2x6" is more than enough to get 3 cigar handle, or 2 flexcut style handles or maybe 2 fatboy taper handles out of. with very little left over for chucking in a lathe if necessary.. you got to have a place for the bur or chuck to grab it.

OK sorry to have turned this into a advertisement, but you can see now what my idea is about.

cerndog · #12 05-09-2007, 05:03 PM

Hey Thomp-
I like your ambition- good luck with any ventures you take on!

Mike

Capt. Bandaid · #13 05-09-2007, 06:17 PM

Thomp, consider using eBay Stores to sell you knives. I know a fellow who sells blacksmith tools on eBay and does very well. Go to www.thefabricator.com and seach for Poor Boy Blacksmith and you will find an article I wrote on this man and his business.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #14 05-09-2007, 08:50 PM

Go out and whack off some of those texas pines, or mesquite and make the handles out of gin u whine Tejas mesquite! LOL

Capt. Bandaid · #15 05-09-2007, 08:57 PM

Dried Mesquite is harder than nine dollars worth of Jaw Breakers! Why do you think people burn it? I buy blocks of exotic wood at Woodcraft, 2x6x6. They can be cut into 1x1x6 sticks and make great handles. Just remember to check the wood's toxicity or you may find yourself with a nice allergic reaction like I did. Can you say "Rosey Red Rash" boys and girls?

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #16 05-10-2007, 01:26 AM

Yep I know, have mesquite here and a variety of locals , all hardddd woods...like "Cats Claw" but beautiful woods, all of them.

Thomp · #17 05-11-2007, 12:13 PM

Thanks for the suggestions im going to search woodcraft couldnt find anythinf but penblanks, guess i went in through the wrong section..

thanks to all..

Just Carving · #18 05-11-2007, 12:31 PM

Here's a link Thomp
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=677

Good luck!

Thomp · #19 05-11-2007, 12:58 PM

Thanks bob,
I ordered the Exotic Hardwood Grab Box box.
4.5 Sq Ft ought to supply me with knife handles for a good while....
from 800 number, Crag said the boxes average pieces are 5" long...
Bunch of good folks sounds like over the phone.

Ill dang'ed if they didnt try to get me to buy a store.... humm prospects..
thanks again bob.

Thomp · #20 05-11-2007, 03:55 PM

Thanks bob,
I ordered the Exotic Hardwood Grab Box box.
4.5 Sq Ft ought to supply me with knife handles for a good while....
Crag said the boxes average pieces are 5" long...
Bunch of good folks sounds like over the phone.

Ill dang'ed if they didnt try to get me to buy a store.... humm prospects..
thanks again bob.