Kieran Klein knives and shop.

[kieranklein]

I have been meaning to put this together for a long time, but just have not had the time until now.

I haven't been knife making too long at a on again off again 7 months or so. Anyway here are some pictures of my knives and then some pictures of my working environment.

If you have any questions or comments let them fly!

Enjoy!

First the fun stuff. Finished knives first.
For blade material I have been using mostly 1075 and 1084
Handle material so far is exclusively micarta
Corby bolts are the handle hardware

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Work in progress.

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Now on to the tools!

Coal Forge

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Metal bandsaw

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Wood bandsaw

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Drill press

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KMG belt grinder

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Buffer

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Heat Treat oven that I made that is 95% finished

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Miscellaneous benches and organizers

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phew! ok I think that is all for now.

 

[ugaarguy]

Nice work. Are those differential heat treat lines I see on the finished knives? Are you doing the heat treat in another oven until the one pictured is finished, or are you having it jobbed out until the oven is finished?

 

[kieranklein]

Thanks! Yes they are differentially clay heat treated. I use the coal forge for heat treating until the electric oven is completed. Since they are simple 10xx series steel it is very easy to heat treat this way with great results.

 

[ricebasher302]

I very much like the look of those blades! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Sam Cade]

What are you claying your blades with?

I've had good results with refractory cement.

 

[kieranklein]

I use Rutlands refractory cement. So not clay technically I guess I say that out of habit haha.

 

[Vonderek]

Really like the hamon….would love to own one of your knives.

 

[JShirley]

I really like the blade shapes you show, except for the recurve. The rest I find absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for showing your work.

 

[kieranklein]

Thanks for the compliment. I was messing around with the recurve on a whim. I will most likely change it to make it less severe.

 

[Sam Cade]

Don't listen to JShirley. The recurve is great and I love it!

 

[JShirley]

Hey, I'm not a fan of most recurves, so don't sweat it.

(Edit) Okay, I take it back. The recurve is off. Eh...this is a learning process.

Handles...well, sometimes you have to feel a knife to see if the handle's right. OTOH, it's frequently obvious when a handle's wrong. Yours aren't obviously wrong.

 

[kieranklein]

Ok then it shall be finished as is. This is only my second recurve so still trying to find the right ratios.

 

[hso]

on again off again 7 months or so

That's very impressive for someone who's just been on/off at it for half a year!

Did you have prior experience working a coal forge for blacksmithing or ornimental ironwork?

How'd you learn the techniques you're using?

Any plans to attend an ABS Hammer-In or one of the ABS schools and expand to bladesmithing?

Is your coal forge naturally asperated or are you running a blower? Where are you getting coal these days? Are you coking?

Why coal and not gas?

What sort of controller are you running on your heat treat oven?

Did I mention that it is remarkable the work you're doing after half a year?!

 

[kieranklein]

Uh I had a little previous experience. I started blacksmithing coat hooks and railroad spike knives last March. Then I wanted to make better knives so I just slowing evolved into that.

I am solely self taught though I will give credit to the books I have bought and Bladeforums. That place has priceless information.

I do plan on going to some hammer ins. I just have to see what is around in Virginia or North Carolina. I wish I was able to to go Blade Show this year but just couldnt swing it. I will be going next year.

I am using a blower for the coal. I get my coal in town from the local heating company. I do coke it up so it is as clean as possible.

I use coal due to being very cheap. I had the forge pot anyway and the table. So it was $150.00 in coal to run a calendar year.

I am running a PID controller with ramp/soak features.

Thanks again!

 

[Sam Cade]

Could we get a shot of one of your knives next to a ruler or dollar bill to get a sense of scale?

 

[Madcap_Magician]

That is quality work, and downright amazing for someone who's not even been doing it a year!

 

[kieranklein]

Thanks Madcap.

I hope this clears things up. I can't show them all as some were sold. Also shows knives in different stages of development that I didn't notice until now.

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[Valkman]

Very nice work, especially at a year of doing it. Keep it up!

 

[Water-Man]

The $64.00 question.

Why would someone buy your knives?

 

[kieranklein]

Thank you Valkman

I sent you a pm Water-Man

 

[JShirley]

Wow, what an offensive way to ask a reasonable question, Water-Man.

 

[bannockburn]

Nice work; especially like the way form follows function with your knives.

 

[Valkman]

Why would someone buy your knives?

Very simple:

You either like/dislike the maker

You either like/dislike his knives

You either like/dislike his prices

All three are a go as far as I can see.

 

[Valkman]

Oh yea, what is that old lever gun in the one pic?

 

[kieranklein]

Yep. It's a marlin 1893 made in 1896 in 38-55 caliber.