Has Scrap Yard ever offered a kit knife? Might be a good way to crank out some more knives without all the pains taking final work. It might also allow Junker Dogs to add their own handles, figure out what kind of blade grind or surfacing they want...

Since we were talking about blade mods, I figured this was the next question to ask. I played around with some pocket knife kits but the quality of the materials did not offer the final result I wanted. Fixed blades would be much less complicated kits: rough blade& tang, handle materials, some knife bolts. The materials for handles and their attachment are easily obtained. Anyone who has a Dremel tool can make a knife kit. A decent small belt sander makes it a snap.

I was just thinking..

Mick

I haven't heard of a "kit knife" from any of the Busse Kin Mick, also Welcome if I haven't yet.

Welcome, Mick.

I've never seen any Busse Kin kits, though I think that would be fun! I searched long and hard for a decent non-stainless knife blank to put handles on to. Finally, I found the Spyderco Mule in 52100 when they were first released and I was lucky enough to get one of those before they ran out. If any of the Busse Kin companies did something like Spyderco's Mule program, that'd be great! As for now, I'm headed more towards making a few knives from bar stock simply so I can have a knife that's not stainless. Most kit knife blanks seem to be 440, which I don't really want. Oh well.

Welcome to the Yard Mick, you can always cut the res-c handles off....Then you have the freedom to do what you like!!! I have seen some beautiful make-overs.

Novel idea,,but it just wouldn't be a SYK..

Humm.....interesting I would like to hear Dan's take on this.

maybe request the next release with Res-c without the handle, so ya dont have to feel guilty cutting it off.

A necker (154 cm please) could be used as a kit knife to put handles on.

+1 a fang would be sweet ...

+1 for the fang!

Maybe I should have posted on the suggestions for a new knife post?

I have a cheap little necker that I wear outdoors cooking a great deal, it would be great to have something better.

necked, necking knife!

Mick

I have requested as much on various posts on various Busse and kin forums.

For me, to some degree, pretty much any CG I buy and intend to use "Becomes" a sort of "kit type project" .... in a very backwards, extra work, inefficient, waste of time - sort of way. So, for me, buying CG blades is largely a waste of money and a bit of a source of frustration since I strip off the factory gunk and spend so much time and effort re-finishing the blades.

So, I would MUCH "Rather" be able to get a discount by just buying the blade or some sort of "kit" option. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />

However, with Res-C handles, it is my understanding that they can not be so easily removed and even harder to attach or re-attach. Attaching Res-C handles apparently (?????) takes special equipment or technique or pixy dust or something (?????) - Busse secret method and all. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

So, I have never removed a Res-C handle and have had to satin finish all of my Res-C CG's around the handles.

Ideally, the Res-C knives all come with both CG and Satin options.

So, I do "thank" Dan for generally providing most designs in a satin finish. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> - and "generally" at reasonable mark-up prices for the satin finish.

Unfortunately (for me), the S5 satin option was almost TWICE as expensive as the CG. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> - So, I just had to "deal" with my CG - already done.


CG micarta or G10 blades are a bit tough to deal with as well. There are MANY areas around CG micarta blades that are VERY tough to satin finish with the scales attached. Removing the scales isn't too hard if you have a drill press and a way to "CLAMP" the knife to prevent it from getting caught by the bit and spinning at 1500 rpm. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> - and a WAY out of balance spin and highly potential breaking of bit or otherwise flying and spinning sharp projectile = <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

I have a good understanding of how to re-attach the scales with flare hollow tubes. And buying the hollow tubing is reasonably inexpensive and making a simple die from screw heads doesn't look to complicated. But, I don't currently have a "good enough" vice. And "Good" bench vices cost a "Few" hundred dollars. Or similarly, I assume a hydraulic press might work, but one that is sufficient would be similarly expensive. So, I would need to spend a fair amount of money buying a vice I don't currently need for much of anything else. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

I could make new scales and use epoxy with solid pins or screws, but what a waste when I already paid for the attached scales - that are pre-cut and designed for flared hollow pins. - So, I haven't removed and replaced factory scales "yet". And so I have micarta and G10 scaled refinished CG knives with LESS than satisfactory finish as a result. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Busse satin finished knives are just WAY TOO HIGH priced IMO. I can't justify or afford Busse satin prices. And even when I "can" afford, I can't justify prices that high. And it honestly aggrevates me that Jerry wants $200 - $330 more for a "Satin" finish. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Swamp Rat satin knives are very rare. I have a the M9LE, Vex and HCLE with G10 and micarta. And I have the Bog Dog in Mudders.
I used to have the Dog Skinner and Rat Hunter. But, I didn't feel they fit my hand as I preferred. So, I sold those two.

All of my other Rat users I had to strip and satin finish myself. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />



Side note: .... As with 99.9% of ALL knives sold in the world (even cheap ones), even CHEAP "KIT" blades come with a "SATIN" finish without pits and machine marks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> ... just sayin'. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />


In any event, I already asked Dan directly if a SR-101 S5CG blade could be purchased "uncoated" and the answer was: No.

At the same time, but a seperate question, I asked if it could be purchased without the handle attached - if the blade "had" to be coated. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> - so I could strip it easier - since Mudders are "HARD" to sand around. The answer was again no to that as well.


So, for now, I am sure Jerry and Dan will not be releasing "kits" - at least not to the general public. And honestly, I seriously doubt they ever will.

But, with Busse, I guess you never know for sure.

.

KG - you don't need an expensive vise or hydraulic press to flare tubes - you can use an inexpensive arbor press from harbor freight or home depot with a few simple mods. Might be worth checking out.