12-03-2010, 10:06
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#1
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: May 2009
Location: AZ
Posts: 618
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Cost estimate
Bill H.,
What do you think it would cost to take a piece of good (not exotic) steel and grind an edge around it, temper it, and then fit slab scales (micarta or some such) for a handle? Not guard, fullers, etc, with a nylon shealth. I have a knife constructed in this fashion 20 years or so ago, think I paid perhaps $80, see new ones now for around $300. Is this a reflection of the economy or some greed?
MVP
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MVP is offline
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12-03-2010, 10:59
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#2
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Bladesmith to the Quiet Professionals
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Oregon, Land of the Silver Grey Sunsets
Posts: 3,879
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MVP
Bill H.,
What do you think it would cost to take a piece of good (not exotic) steel and grind an edge around it, temper it, and then fit slab scales (micarta or some such) for a handle? Not guard, fullers, etc, with a nylon shealth. I have a knife constructed in this fashion 20 years or so ago, think I paid perhaps $80, see new ones now for around $300. Is this a reflection of the economy or some greed?
MVP
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Depends on the knife and the steel used. the price quoted is not out of line.
materials can run 1/3 the cost of making, the rest is time.
All materials costs have gone up.
I wish knifemaking was as streamlined as you describe.
After paying taxes and shop bills, insurances, mortgage or rent and chow... take away at least another third. the goal is to try and keep the shop open and make a living.
You can choose to not buy the knife.
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Bill Harsey is offline
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12-03-2010, 11:53
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#3
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: May 2009
Location: AZ
Posts: 618
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Choices
Bill,
The knife I tried to describe is the Ek M-1 and I think building it is really about as simple as I said.
Yes I can choose not to buy, just trying to gauge if this factory, not custom knife is reasonably priced in regards to other knives exhibiting much higher workmanship with more labor and materials involved. I was thinking $150-$175 would be more in order.
MVP
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MVP is offline
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12-03-2010, 13:38
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#4
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Guerrilla Chief
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 694
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MVP: Knifemaking isn't rocket science, but if it were really so simple, everybody would do it. Making knives is a lot like playing the bass - playing the bass is easy. Playing the bass well, not so easy. 
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DJ Urbanovsky is offline
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12-03-2010, 14:02
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#5
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Guest
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ Urbanovsky
MVP: Knifemaking isn't rocket science, but if it were really so simple, everybody would do it. Making knives is a lot like playing the bass - playing the bass is easy. Playing the bass well, not so easy. |
I build bikes, nice bikes, (Harleys, BSA, Norton, etc.), I build old trucks and cars too. I can build really nice houses, even made a few pens with Tatonka316 one afternoon. I even assembled a few old shotguns in my time. All easy.
Knife making, not so easy. A really good knife, that much harder.
I'll let others do the heavy lifting.
I've already selected my next knive, now trying to talk him down.
He want two bikes, one truck, my 9 year old, (because he has potential) and my favorite horse. Considering all of it as fair.
Last edited by wet dog; 12-03-2010 at 14:07.
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12-03-2010, 14:27
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#6
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,780
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wet dog
He want two bikes, one truck, my 9 year old, (because he has potential) and my favorite horse. Considering all of it as fair.
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Cheaper than an ex-wife. 
TR
__________________
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
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The Reaper is offline
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12-03-2010, 15:16
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#7
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Guest
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Reaper
Cheaper than an ex-wife.
TR |
Q: Why are divorces so expensive?
A: Because they're worth it.
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12-06-2010, 14:15
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#8
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Guerrilla Chief
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 680
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Quote:
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He want two bikes, one truck, my 9 year old, (because he has potential) and my favorite horse. Considering all of it as fair.
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Must be a nice knife!
The knife MVP is talking about is a factory made knife sold at a custom price. I think he could find a more dependable knife of similar make, for a lower price. Or a much nicer knife for the same price.
Last edited by Barbarian; 12-06-2010 at 14:23.
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