Get a custom knife and help out a really good guy

[TFin04]

Guys I have been working with John Kiedaisch on a custom 3" blade recently.

He is a popular custom maker from Bladeforums.com. His mother in law is in the hospital and they are having a tough time paying the bills. If anybody is looking for a good all purpose knife, PLEASE consider a JK knife. You won't find an easier guy to work with and his stuff is top notch. Plus, they could really use the help!

Here are a few pics of his stuff, but he is VERY open to custom orders. I literally made a drawing, took a picture of it, and emailed it to him for the design of my knife. It will be here next week and I'll get pics up soon. Just for reference, most of his knives run between $50 and $125, so they are very affordable. I am getting mine with no handle slabs so I can cord wrap it, but he has a lot of nice handle options available.

His email is jkiedaisch@sbcglobal.net. Let him know that Tom F sent you.

I usually get an email response within a couple hours and he had my knife made within a week, even with the visits to the hospital. He uses mostly O1 Steel which is a great high carbon all purpose blade.

This one sold for $100
4 1/8" blade
http://i38.tinypic.com/r8rr88.jpg

This one went for $120
4 1/4" blade
http://i38.tinypic.com/n3rivm.jpg

$120
3 1/2" blade
http://i37.tinypic.com/29yr4ti.jpg

$65
2" blade
http://i33.tinypic.com/33u7mld.jpg
http://i37.tinypic.com/25swrgk.jpg

2 1/2" blade
$75
http://i33.tinypic.com/2wg6rev.jpg

$70 and $75
3" and 2 3/4" blades
I got the bottom one with 3" blade and no handles for $60
http://i37.tinypic.com/2vcjpkz.jpg

Some handle options
http://i37.tinypic.com/9tz5u8.jpg

Feel free to shoot him an email, he is great to work with. I told him I would spread the word. The knives pictured are just examples. He has a ton of other designs and can make up pretty much whatever you have in mind.

[TFin04]

Just got this info back from John. Doing a knife without handle slabs will generally reduce the cost $10 to $15 and he will put holes wherever you want them for cord wrap options. The O1 steel can be cold blued very nicely if you want a black knife. He doesn't do that himself, but it's super easy.


Here is my website
.
http://www.freewebs.com/jkknives/index.htm

Here are some base prices
Heavy Duty Kephart $125
Standard Kephart $120
Mini Kephart $80
4" Hiker / Hunter $105
4" Hiker $105
Keychain Companion $60
Pocket Companion $65
Long Clip Hunter $130
Camp Knife $120
Nessmuk $115
CB Nessmuk $115
Hiker`s Backup $80
Mini Bushcrafter $80
Straight Back Utility $115

1/8" O1 steel is standard
3/16" O1 add $5
Various wood and micarta are available for handles
Handle pins are 1/4" solid or hollow aluminum, or 1/4" solid stainless (add $3)

[midwestfisherman]

Those look like some nice knives.

[TFin04]

John informed me he will be releasing a new model tomorrow. Looking forward to that.

Everybody should have a good fixed blade, and for the price of your standard Gerber, Benchmade, etc factory blade, you can get a custom hand made piece from John.

I'll post pics of the new knife when I see it tomorrow.

[TFin04]

Here's the new one. Designed by his daughter as an LEO backup knife. Most have black micarta handles but this one was made for the woods.

2 3/4" blade, 3/16" thick.

http://i36.tinypic.com/2h37ds1.jpg

[midwestfisherman]

I knew I shouldn't have opened this thread again. I like that new one.

[Joeywhat]

Well, I've been considering a knife for a while...but what makes for a good knife? If I were to order from this guy, what should I order? This would probably be something I could throw in my pocket.

I really like the looks of the woven handles...can that be done by myself?

Does he make sheaths as well?

[TFin04]

Well, I've been considering a knife for a while...but what makes for a good knife?

What are you looking to use it for? EDC, woods carry, food prep?

A good knife needs a good blade steel. High carbon steel like O1 is easy to sharpen and holds an edge well, but is soft enough that it isn't brittle. That is important when using them for chopping tasks like you might in the woods. They aren't as corrosion resistant, but if kept dry and clean they will hold up well. You can also polish off any rust with a scotchbrite.


If I were to order from this guy, what should I order? This would probably be something I could throw in my pocket.

You can order via email, I posted it in the first thread. If you do please let him know I sent you. As for what you want to order, that is based on your needs and your taste.


I really like the looks of the woven handles...can that be done by myself

Woven as in a cord wrap? Yeah it's pretty easy and there are a lot of ways to do it.


Does he make sheaths as well?

He makes a leather sheath (included in the prices) that are basic but work well. Like anything else, he can adjust it to your needs. There are some pics of his sheaths on his website. They are pretty basic.

Give me a better idea of the main use on the blade and what type of length you think would be best, and I can help you go from there.

[Joeywhat]

Well, I don't really have a set idea in mind for what I want, short of a good PD knife that is easy to conceal. And yes, I was referring to the paracord wraps. I think that looks BADASS, and it looks like it'd be pretty easy to hold onto as well.

I'm pretty familiar with cooking knifes, and I usually prefer ceramic for that...but I'd have to imagine that being WAY too pretty for carry duty. I can baby my kitchen blades, but not a carry blade.

Not really sure what length is best...are there legal limits for blade length when concealing? I don't think I want to walk around with an 8" blade or anything...but I don't want it to be as big as my Glock.

[TFin04]

Well, I don't really have a set idea in mind for what I want, short of a good PD knife that is easy to conceal. And yes, I was referring to the paracord wraps. I think that looks BADASS, and it looks like it'd be pretty easy to hold onto as well.

I'm pretty familiar with cooking knifes, and I usually prefer ceramic for that...but I'd have to imagine that being WAY too pretty for carry duty. I can baby my kitchen blades, but not a carry blade.

Not really sure what length is best...are there legal limits for blade length when concealing? I don't think I want to walk around with an 8" blade or anything...but I don't want it to be as big as my Glock.

I would go for something in the 2 3/4" to 3" blade range, with a fairly narrow height. Maybe 3/4" tall or so.

The only pic with two knives in it, and the one above that, would all fit the bill well. I'll have the bottom one of the double pic in my possession soon, it is getting a cord wrap. I will post some pics for you.

Do any of those three do anything for ya? I think they would all work well.

[Joeywhat]

I would go for something in the 2 3/4" to 3" blade range, with a fairly narrow height. Maybe 3/4" tall or so.

The only pic with two knives in it, and the one above that, would all fit the bill well. I'll have the bottom one of the double pic in my possession soon, it is getting a cord wrap. I will post some pics for you.

Do any of those three do anything for ya? I think they would all work well.

The bottom in the pic of two doesn't look bad...in terms of appearance, I really like the last one you posted. Then again, I'm not getting this so I can look cool. Does blade design really matter? Can I get one that looks cool, without any ill effect on "performance"?

[TFin04]

For the most part, yes. The bottom one is a thick blade (3/16th") and is too thick for a every day knife IMO. It is also very tall and that generally doesn't work well in a pocket. Would still be a badass knife though.

They will all cut well, I'd pick one you like the looks of and shoot him an email. With no handles and a leather sheath the bottom one of the double pic will run you $67 to your door, and mine was here within a week.

[Joeywhat]

That's not a bad price at all...I certainly like the looks of the last one...and wearing it on a belt wouldn't be the end of the world...

I just sent him an email, so we'll see what he says.

[TFin04]

If you order the new one definitely get it in 1/8th" thick stock. It will be a much better slicer.

[Joeywhat]

OK, I'll send all this along to him and see what he can do.

What do you use for honing/sharpening? Is a stone/honing steel still good for this? That's what I used when I was working at a restaurant, but this was a few years ago.

[TFin04]

If you own a knife the Spyderco Sharpmaker is the best $40 you'll ever spend.

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=77

[Joeywhat]

If you own a knife the Spyderco Sharpmaker is the best $40 you'll ever spend.

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=77

Hey, that looks good, too! I'll pick one up when I get the knife.

[Joeywhat]

http://i37.tinypic.com/2vcjpkz.jpg


I just picked up the bottom model, sans handle...

[TFin04]

You mean something like this??

(Also known as, mine arrived today. :)

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/TFin04/JKKnife1.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/TFin04/JKKnife2.jpg

I'm taking it hiking tomorrow (pics to follow) and will be bluing it and rewrapping the handle. I just put a quick wrap on it tonight. Feels good though.

I already want a bigger one. I'm thinking a 4" Hiker or Kephart in 3/16" stock.

[KayL]

Anybody mind if I move this from General to the Cutting Edge forum?

[TFin04]

Sure. I didn't realize there was a cutting edge forum. I was just trying to get some exposure.

[KayL]

That's okay... it's new.

[TFin04]

Few pics from today:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/TFin04/Hiking/Picture003.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/TFin04/Hiking/Picture013.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/TFin04/Hiking/Picture018.jpg

[RSF]

Nice

[dr3am]

I've always wanted a custom knife. I think I'll be doing some drawing :-)

[fotophocus]

I LOVE the look of your knife Tfin. What kind of cord did you use?

[TFin04]

Just your standard 550 paracord. I ordered a 4" Hiker from him yesterday, hope to have that sometime late September.

[fotophocus]

Where can I buy it around here? Can I buy just enough to do the handle of a knife?

[TFin04]

I buy it in 300 or 500 ft spools online. Never really looked to find it locally. It's pretty cheap and has a ton of uses.

[fotophocus]

Ahh okay. I live in a small apartment, and don't have the space (or need) for a spool of it.

[TFin04]

How much do you need? PM me your addy and I'll send out a hank of it.

[fotophocus]

Thanks, I appreciate it. But let me shoot you some cash for your time and postage then. I'd just need however much is required to cord the handle. I'll probably order the same knife you did.

[TFin04]

Just got this one in from John today. This thing is awesome.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/TFin04/Picture005.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/TFin04/Picture006.jpg

[molotov]

Well, I don't really have a set idea in mind for what I want, short of a good PD knife that is easy to conceal. And yes, I was referring to the paracord wraps. I think that looks BADASS, and it looks like it'd be pretty easy to hold onto as well.

I'm pretty familiar with cooking knifes, and I usually prefer ceramic for that...but I'd have to imagine that being WAY too pretty for carry duty. I can baby my kitchen blades, but not a carry blade.

Not really sure what length is best...are there legal limits for blade length when concealing? I don't think I want to walk around with an 8" blade or anything...but I don't want it to be as big as my Glock.


well, techincally in michigan fixed blades and automatics aren't legal to carry for civilians, With the exception being hunting knives while hunting.

i have the law saved on my computer somewhere, but i can't find it right now, but basically the only length restriction is it has to be " 3.5 inches or less if intended to be used illegally against a person." or somthing to that effect. so if you have the intention of murdering someone then the blade must be 3.5 inches or less. anyone else care to chime in on that one?

[Joeywhat]

Got mine in today, now all it needs is a cord wrap! Could also use a good sharpening as well...the leather sheath it came with is kind of lame, but I figured it would be. I might have my mom sew something up that isn't as bulky.

So where can you find the paracord locally? Is that something JoAnn fabrics might carry?

[TFin04]

Doubt it. I buy it in bulk online.

Give the sheath a try before bashing it. They work really well.

[TFin04]

And also, what are you doing to judge sharpness? John's work has always come very sharp to me.

Remember, these knives are designed and built to be users. You should not expect a razor edge because frankly one isn't needed and edges like that won't stand up to abuse very well.

I keep a Spyderco folder as sharp and thin as I can get the edge, but my hard use knives get no more than 40* bevel (total) and they are only sharpened on medium grit stones.

I would urge you to try the knife some more before taking it to a stone.

[Joeywhat]

I was using it to cut some beef last night.

It wasn't awful by any means, just needs a little work with a stone.