I have one of my little neck knives that fit inside an Altoids tin available. They work really well for the survival kits that can be made with Altoids tins. They are also a VERY light neck knife. This is probably the last one that will be available for a while. Although, I will take orders...
I also like CRKT. I had a well used M-16 that also had a loose clip and a missing screw. When I showed it to a factory rep. that was at A.G. Russell's store he wrote down my info and had them send me a new clip, screws, and tool to change them.
I don't know anything about converting a manual press and I have heard that a lot of them can't handle the pressure. However, here is one built around a harbor freight air/hydraulic 20 ton press: http://www.knivesplus.com/minihydraulicpress.html
"Some folks say planting garlic in your garden also discourages pesky insects from coming around."
Sweet, I just stuck a few cloves of garlic in my herb garden this morning!
Also, if your clay was too thick it can hold enough heat push the soft portion of the blade down to the edge. Kind of like your hamon ran over the edge.
I ripped out some shrubbery and replaced it with an herb garden last night. Two days ago I planted a cypress tree and later on today I will plant a pine tree. Guess I am starting to feel springy.
That really sucks! If I had stolen a knife I would feel like crap every time I used it. Heck I wouldn't even want to look at the thing. However, I don't think that everyone is wired that way.