Kimmi/Walker 2021 KITH

[Gene Kimmi]

After some discussion, Kaleb and I decided to make what I call a vest Bowie for our KITH knives. Here is the design we decided on.



After hearing that Kaleb had a pretty good start on his knife, I figured I better get started. I traced the pattern onto my steel, .200” AEB-L.



Next, I cut out the profile.



Here I have cleaned up the profile, marked and drilled the pin holes.



Finally, I drill epoxy holes in the tang.



Up next is heat treating as soon as I get parts in for my kiln. Hopefully this week.

 

[Sean Jones]

Looking good! I need to get cracking on mine.

 

[Smallshop]

beautiful lines on that Gene!

 

[Kev]

That’s going to be a good knife.

 

[dan van]

Very helpful to show step by step photo's to follow along with the build especially for guys just getting into knifemaking.
Dan

 

[Gliden07]

Design looks DYNOMITE!! LOL!! (Sorry Good Times reference!!)

 

[KWalker]

Looking good! I will make an update post very soon. I am very excited to progress with this design! Best of luck with your knife!

 

[Gene Kimmi]

Heat treat is finished.


Here I’ve colored the edges with a sharpie and marked the center of the blade.



I’ve marked 2 lines on the butt of the blade to provide marks for tapering the tang.



And ready to grind.



36 grit grinding is finished.

 

[Brad Walker]

Looks great!!

 

[KWalker]

Looking good! I really like the holder you have for your unground knives

 

[Gene Kimmi]

Time to taper the tang. First, I grind a groove in the tang to remove some of the steel. This makes it easier when grinding the taper and gives me a quick visual of where I’m at when grinding.


This is after grinding the taper on one side.


Here is a video explains how I grind tapered tangs.

 

[Gene Kimmi]

After tapering the tang, I finished grinding the blade to 600 grit, and ground the swedges in. Next was hand sanding. This is where I discovered a problem. I found lines in the steel that won’t sand or grind out. I’d guess them to be alloy banding, but I’m not sure that’s possible in AEB-L. Whatever it is, I’ll be starting over with a new blade.

 

[MTBob]

Gene - Thank you very much for taking time to show how you grind a tapered tang, that's very helpful! Here all this time I thought a surface grinder was needed. I'm going to give that technique a try.
If you're up to it, I'd love to see a video on how you drill your pins in the scales on a tapered tang.

 

[Gene Kimmi]

Gene - Thank you very much for taking time to show how you grind a tapered tang, that's very helpful! Here all this time I thought a surface grinder was needed. I'm going to give that technique a try.
If you're up to it, I'd love to see a video on how you drill your pins in the scales on a tapered tang.

I’m planning on doing just that. I’ll see if I can talk my daughter into doing the video work. As you can see, I’m not too good at it.

 

[Gene Kimmi]

The 2nd blade is almost finished with heat treating, in for the 3rd temper cycle. Hopefully this one finishes out better.

 

[Edwardshandmadeknives]

I’ve been following these builds but I have to ask: what is “KITH”?

 

[tkroenlein]

I’ve been following these builds but I have to ask: what is “KITH”?

Knife In The Hat.

 

[MTBob]

I’ll see if I can talk my daughter into doing the video work. As you can see, I’m not too good at it.

Gene, I thought your taper tang video was excellent.

 

[Colin]

I love that design but I have to ask, and please forgive my ignorance, what purpose does tapering the tang serve?

 

[Edwardshandmadeknives]

I love that design but I have to ask, and please forgive my ignorance, what purpose does tapering the tang serve?

It’s usually done to make a knife cost more, be a pain in the butt, and look terrible.
Ok, real answer, cut weight and some people say it looks nice. That’s subjective though…..