I cover mine with a layer of masking tape. The tape wipes off easily. I also blow it off with my air compressor before I switch the blade. Mine does not have an off switch for the magnet. It's a pain to get the blade off.
I use either wood or thin sheet metal for my templates. The glue is not holding due to the heat. I use a sharpie to draw on the material. Some people use a scribe to mark their lines. I haven't had great success with that so I stick with the sharpie. That being said, I don't make folders...
I've had good luck with NJSB 1084. It's about all I use. I do stock removal and follow their heat treat recommendations which includes 3 normalizing cycles. I've broken several pieces and the grain looks great.
The retention clip that I use has to be put on with eyelets. I add a 3rd layer of Kydex to allow for this. The metal piece in the picture is the template that creates the space for the eyelet. I tape the 2 main pieces of the sheath are taped together with the knife inserted and then the 3rd...
Todd and I are officially done with our KITH knives for this year!! This was my second KITH and the most rewarding because I actually got one in return this year!!! :p
I didn't take near as many WIP photos as I should have. Some of the better ones are show below. I have to say the knife I...
So I started with a new stencil a few weeks ago. I am very careful pulling off the tape and clean it thoroughly after each use. I just used it for the 10th time and it still looks as good as it did when I started with it.
I'm willing to be in a group of 3. If I may offer a solution for the group of 3. #1 makes for #2, #2 makes for #3, and #3 makes for #2. They can still collaborate the same way. This way no one is doubling up on the work.
I appreciate you taking the time to show your process in detail. My best hamon was purely accidental. Then ones I have tried to do have failed miserably. Definitely a learning curve.