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- Oct 18, 2001
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I've had these bouncing around in my head for some time now. Finally got them down in CAD. Then had to wait for the time to be *just right*. 
I have been wanting to make a design that I could "Mid-Tech" - that is, get a factory to step in and help with production - as well as produce a handmade version.
The Mid-Tech and HandMade would be identical in dimensions and utility. The difference would be the ability to customize the HandMade with different steel options, grinds and handle materials - as well as get a leather sheath by Butch.
I've already started the ball rolling with the factory to get these going. I will have a shop-made prototype by week's end and then a factory-made prototype within a month or so.
The reason for the Mid-Tech option would be to have something on-the-shelf, ready-to-go to satisfy that itch for instant purchase gratification. For those that want something more specialized and specific, there's the HandMade option.
I have been listening to customers for years tell me they wish they had these options available. And I have been working with factories, suppliers, etc. to help make this possible. This is like getting designer goods at big-box-store prices. The ergonomics will be the same, most of the materials will be the same - it will just be narrow in options (no ironwood, liners, etc.) but available immediately.
I will still personally oversee every individual knife that leaves my shop. This is just another avenue I'm exploring to put quality materials and well-thought-out designs into more customers' hands.
These will not be made by another company - I am having the parts made, overseeing assembling and providing quality control. I've thought this through for years - on how to do this right - and this is it. I don't want to relinquish quality by having someone else just mass-produce it. I can't manufacture them myself - even if I had a CNC-Mill I would not have enough time to manage this as well as keep my custom/handmade business. There are many hurdles/hoops/etc. that a knifemaker has to jump through to work with a "namebrand factory". I've never been keen to go that route, preferring to keep as much as possible "close to the chest". I want to be involved in all aspects/phases/etc. and be the one to put the final seal of approval on them.
Yes - I'm going to be the designer, supplier, distributor and retailer. I will have eyes on the process from Start to Finish. I am humbled to be in a position to do this, jittery with nerves at the risk involved, and so excited at this opportunity I might tinkle a bit in my shorts.
Enough talk...on to the knives!
The first one is the Pocket Nessie.
It will have 12c27 stainless (or equivalent) steel and come with a leather pocket-sheath.
Here is the CAD drawing with a ruler below for scale.
Specs:
3" blade, 5/32" thick, full flat grind, stone-tumbled finish
3.5" handle - 5/8" thick (handle-tang-handle), pins & lanyard
It will come with this sheath:
- which can be carried left-side or right-side. It will have a wide cutout next to it for a pen, small tool, firesteel, marlin spike, etc.
Pricing will be in the $50-75 range for the Mid-Tech version.
The next one is the Trapper.
It will also be made from 5/32" thick 12c27 (or equiv) stainless steel.
It has a full-size handle - similar to the Woodlore - and comes with a 3.75" drop-point blade. The handles will be 5/16" thick for a total of ~3/4" including the tang.
Specs:
8.25" Overall Length
3.75" blade, 0.157" thick, 12c27 stainless steel, flat grind, stone-tumbled finish
4.5" handle, 3/4" thick total, palm swell/contouring, pins, lanyard
Right now I am leaning toward a Dual Carry sheath made from drum-dyed black leather. I can "Cam" it so that the guard drops into a little gap inside the sheath essentially "locking" it into place when carried horizontally - a really neat feature you don't find on most factory knives. Here's a drawing showing what I'm talking about:
Pricing will be closer to $75, depending on the sheath option.
Like I said - I will be making HandMade versions of these knives too. The lists aren't open yet - but will be soon!
This has been in the works for a long time and is finally being made possible now that all the pieces have fallen into place.
Let me know what you think and if the price sounds right to you. I do listen to customers and take feedback!
Thanks for looking!
Dan
KosterKnives.com
I have been wanting to make a design that I could "Mid-Tech" - that is, get a factory to step in and help with production - as well as produce a handmade version.
The Mid-Tech and HandMade would be identical in dimensions and utility. The difference would be the ability to customize the HandMade with different steel options, grinds and handle materials - as well as get a leather sheath by Butch.
I've already started the ball rolling with the factory to get these going. I will have a shop-made prototype by week's end and then a factory-made prototype within a month or so.
The reason for the Mid-Tech option would be to have something on-the-shelf, ready-to-go to satisfy that itch for instant purchase gratification. For those that want something more specialized and specific, there's the HandMade option.
I have been listening to customers for years tell me they wish they had these options available. And I have been working with factories, suppliers, etc. to help make this possible. This is like getting designer goods at big-box-store prices. The ergonomics will be the same, most of the materials will be the same - it will just be narrow in options (no ironwood, liners, etc.) but available immediately.
I will still personally oversee every individual knife that leaves my shop. This is just another avenue I'm exploring to put quality materials and well-thought-out designs into more customers' hands.
These will not be made by another company - I am having the parts made, overseeing assembling and providing quality control. I've thought this through for years - on how to do this right - and this is it. I don't want to relinquish quality by having someone else just mass-produce it. I can't manufacture them myself - even if I had a CNC-Mill I would not have enough time to manage this as well as keep my custom/handmade business. There are many hurdles/hoops/etc. that a knifemaker has to jump through to work with a "namebrand factory". I've never been keen to go that route, preferring to keep as much as possible "close to the chest". I want to be involved in all aspects/phases/etc. and be the one to put the final seal of approval on them.
Yes - I'm going to be the designer, supplier, distributor and retailer. I will have eyes on the process from Start to Finish. I am humbled to be in a position to do this, jittery with nerves at the risk involved, and so excited at this opportunity I might tinkle a bit in my shorts.
Enough talk...on to the knives!
The first one is the Pocket Nessie.
It will have 12c27 stainless (or equivalent) steel and come with a leather pocket-sheath.
Here is the CAD drawing with a ruler below for scale.
Specs:
3" blade, 5/32" thick, full flat grind, stone-tumbled finish
3.5" handle - 5/8" thick (handle-tang-handle), pins & lanyard
It will come with this sheath:
- which can be carried left-side or right-side. It will have a wide cutout next to it for a pen, small tool, firesteel, marlin spike, etc.
Pricing will be in the $50-75 range for the Mid-Tech version.
The next one is the Trapper.
It will also be made from 5/32" thick 12c27 (or equiv) stainless steel.
It has a full-size handle - similar to the Woodlore - and comes with a 3.75" drop-point blade. The handles will be 5/16" thick for a total of ~3/4" including the tang.
Specs:
8.25" Overall Length
3.75" blade, 0.157" thick, 12c27 stainless steel, flat grind, stone-tumbled finish
4.5" handle, 3/4" thick total, palm swell/contouring, pins, lanyard
Right now I am leaning toward a Dual Carry sheath made from drum-dyed black leather. I can "Cam" it so that the guard drops into a little gap inside the sheath essentially "locking" it into place when carried horizontally - a really neat feature you don't find on most factory knives. Here's a drawing showing what I'm talking about:
Pricing will be closer to $75, depending on the sheath option.
Like I said - I will be making HandMade versions of these knives too. The lists aren't open yet - but will be soon!
This has been in the works for a long time and is finally being made possible now that all the pieces have fallen into place.
Let me know what you think and if the price sounds right to you. I do listen to customers and take feedback!
Thanks for looking!
Dan
KosterKnives.com
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