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Finished KITH 2019 Entries


Joshua States

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Thanks Gary

"The way we win matters" (Ender Wiggins) Orson Scott Card

 

Nos qui libertate donati nescimus quid constat

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Ill have my pics up tomorrow after work, I had to redo the handle scales after a catastrophic event that involved cracking a scale all the way down it, but the new scales are currently glued up, Its done other the sharpening it up because I got a few hours in, but its now sporting Bocote scales instead of Surinam Ironwood ones. 

And yes, I am irate about it.... only thing I had on hand at a moments notice. 

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14 hours ago, Conner Michaux said:

When is the drawing going to happen? Mine will be done by Tuesday. 

Let's get someone to draw the names on Friday.  That'll give the last few folks a day or two to let the epoxy cure right ;)  I'll be tied up all week and won't have time to ship until then anyway.

-Brian

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No objections here

"The way we win matters" (Ender Wiggins) Orson Scott Card

 

Nos qui libertate donati nescimus quid constat

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Maybe I can have one done by then. After the catastrophic failure with the Damascus billet I started a small blacksmiths knife. Maybe I can get it done with a hamon. I just have to square up the spine and I was thinking of doing a pineapple twist but I don't want any sharp edges that will irritate the hand.

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No problem from me, been ready. Hope we can end this one and get onto and one! :P

Gary LT

"I Never Met A Knife I Didn't Like", (Will Rogers)

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Mother help me, this KITH has some really nice knives!

Oh Snap! I still have to make a sheath!

Edited by Joshua States

“So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.”

The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing.  

 

Josh

http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg

J.States Bladesmith | Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith

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On 9/30/2019 at 7:57 PM, Joshua States said:

Mother help me, this KITH has some really nice knives!

It sure does! 

I need to get in on this next time around. Somebody hold me to it! :P

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1 minute ago, Will W. said:

It sure does! 

I need to get in on this next time around. Somebody hold me to it! :P

Only you can hold you to it. If you are feeling rather feisty about the idea, I think someone mentioned a Christmas KITH like we did a couple years ago. You could start that one going.

“So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.”

The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing.  

 

Josh

http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg

J.States Bladesmith | Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith

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Not sure I could whip up anything worth looking at by then. My plate is pretty full as is. I'll give it a try if that ends up coming to fruition. 

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Take something you already have in progress, and float that as an Idea for it.... 

Gives you a head start, and gives everyone else something to work for. 

But I agree, there are some mighty fine blades in this years KITH, I dont feel that mine is up to stuff even though its one of the best blades I have ever made and is my first ever folder. But with the work of some of these guys its hard to feel like one puts forth the effort in comparison. 

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On 9/30/2019 at 7:56 PM, Jeremy Blohm said:

Maybe I can have one done by then. After the catastrophic failure with the Damascus billet I started a small blacksmiths knife. Maybe I can get it done with a hamon. I just have to square up the spine and I was thinking of doing a pineapple twist but I don't want any sharp edges that will irritate the hand.

In hindsight, this is a great idea. I love carrying my blacksmiths knife. Its handy, and I must have nailed the heat treatment. I'm also not really worried about using. It's hard to tear up. No twist though! I would make the handle thin and D shaped to leave the blade end heavy for easy riding the sheath without a strap and to maintain comfort. 

Robert, that's a fine lookin' knife!

Edited by Zeb Camper
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7 hours ago, Robert D. said:

... I dont feel that mine is up to stuff even though its one of the best blades I have ever made and is my first ever folder. But with the work of some of these guys its hard to feel like one puts forth the effort in comparison. 

KITH is about pushing yourself to do something different to whatever level you can muster.  I think your entry is a great one, but you should feel good that you were one of 15 or 20 people who took on the challenge and succeed regardless of what I think :)

-Brian

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I hear you Robert.  I look at my knife compared to some of the other contributions and feel like I'm going to be shortchanging somebody.  That being said, I agree with Brian 100%.  The thing that I love about the KITH is that it gives me an opportunity to try something new, but also forces me to do it over and over until I get it right.  This year was not quite the litany of do-overs for me as last year, but between welding failures and grinding mistakes I still threw away 3 blades before I was happy with it.  The one thing that I've noticed about the KITH, especially with the group guys on this site, is that it's not a competition.  All that really matters is that you're pushing yourself, and doing the best work that YOU can.  As long as you're doing that, your contribution is just as worthy and welcomed as one from a card carrying ABS master smith.

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5 hours ago, Alex Middleton said:

I look at my knife compared to some of the other contributions and feel like I'm going to be shortchanging somebody.

I’d be honored  to cary that knife, 

i feel the same way about mine, being the youngest person on the forum and also being one of the least experienced on this forum (my kith is my third knife)  Kith seemed very intimidating and now seeing all these great looking knives makes it even more so, I’m hoping whoever draws my name is fine with my halfway somewhat decent blade. 

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Connor, if somebody has an issue with your knife they can send it to me and I'll trade them the one I draw.  I'd be proud to carry your knife.  It takes serious balls to do what you're doing at your age and experience level, and I have huge amounts of respect for you because of that.

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Nobody will have any issues with any knife in KITH. That is the unwritten rule and should be obvious from the start. The only expectations anyone entering the KITH should have is that they will produce a knife and give it away. Then they will receive one in return. There is no "like for like" other than it's a sharp pointy object.

I have said this before and I'll say it again. KITH is not about the knives. It's about the community. If you join the KITH thinking you are getting some valuable knife, you are in it for the wrong reason. The value in KITH is far more than the objects we trade. It is the friendship we share, the help and support we give each other, and the bonds we forge.

This year the KITH has been very special for me personally. I have watched all of us push ourselves to a new level and cheer each other on. I applaud everyone who signed up, whether they finished the project or not. Every year it seems, some folks feel as though they don't "measure up" and that is good, because it will push you to do better the next time. Just don't feel guilty abut "short changing" someone. That is nonsense. You joined, you put forth the effort, and you succeeded in finishing an entry. That is an accomplishment you should be proud of.

 

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“So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.”

The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing.  

 

Josh

http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg

J.States Bladesmith | Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith

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4 hours ago, Conner Michaux said:

whoever draws my name is fine with my halfway somewhat decent blade

I have given out a few half decent blades in my time.  been proud of every one of them.  Don't discount your efforts.  Your knife will be great.

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5 hours ago, Conner Michaux said:

Kith seemed very intimidating and now seeing all these great looking knives makes it even more so

Conner, I'm going to be perfectly honest with you here. Back in January when you kicked this off and threw your hat in the ring, I thought to myself "He will never complete this, but I give him credit for taking that step". Over the last 8 months, I have watched your trials and efforts and I have been impressed by your determination most of all. I am at the point where I really want you to finish this knife.

“So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.”

The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing.  

 

Josh

http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg

J.States Bladesmith | Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith

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Another thing to think about, is when you get an awesome blade from another maker in the KITH, figure out what makes it so awesome, and how you can do something similar.

The three knives I have recieved have done a lot in shaping how I do my knives, and use my Kitchen KITH knife daily ( it has made me lazy on making my own set infact )

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