Need advice on Stainless

Steve Adams · Apr 23, 2016

I am looking for a folding knife with a stainless handle that can be engraved. As I look at on line catalogs the type of stainless is mentioned concerning blades, but seldom specified when it comes to a handle. Who has a folder with a 416 stainless handle? Any guidance appreciated. Under $100 at this point, it is only to get my feet wet.

wowilson · Apr 23, 2016

You might post your price range for the knife that would help narrow the field.

Skylineski · Apr 23, 2016

Spyderco, Kershaw, Buck all make stainless handle knives ranging from about $15 (Buck) to a couple hundred (large Spyderco or Kershaw)

Doug

Roger Bleile · Apr 23, 2016

Spyderco knives are very popular with engravers because of their all stainless scales. Here are pictures of a Spyderco I cut about ten years ago.

speeedy6 · Apr 23, 2016

I don't live far from Smoky Mtn. Knife Works in Kodak, Tn. I went up there and bought a no name stainless knife for about $3 and it was extremely hard ! I had to anneal it in my charcoal grill then it cut great . I've since had aluminum handle Bucks and other stainless knives that cut well out of the box. Spyderco sells a China made knife that cuts well and is around $25. I like the Buck brass bolster 110's and 112's too.
I like to cut knives for practice because it trains me to layout and plan the design as well as cut. Plus, they're cheap enough to give away to friends and potential customers.

monk · Apr 23, 2016

not sure of price, but grs sells knives to engrave on.

davidshe · Apr 23, 2016

Like Doug and Roger, I also have cut my share of Spyderco knives and they cut a lot easier than the Kershaw folders in my opinion. I am currently cutting 7 Kershaw Leek folders for groomsmen gifts and I am spending considerable time sharpening. But, they are really nicely made little knives at a great price. Of course the custom knives from a good knifemaker usually cut easier because of the grade of stainless they generally use and I always look forward to those!

Dave London · Apr 23, 2016

Spyderco in the price range and cut beautiful MTC

Steve Adams · Apr 23, 2016

Thank you all for the information, and for the photo Roger. Next question - Do you engrave the knife as is, or do you disassemble it to engrave ? Some look like they come apart , others don't. I'm new to this so bear with me.

Skylineski · Apr 24, 2016

Disassemble!!! i hot glue the scale to a small block of wood so it fits in the vise easily. most take a star bit and come apart easily. pay attention to where the springs go. Good luck and post pics when you are done. i used knifes as practice, and then gave them to friends and family.

Doug

Dave London · Apr 24, 2016

If the knife can be disassembled , yes if not just hot glue to a block of wood to put in the vice you can also use a hot glue on the scale if you disassembled in life. To remove from the block use alcohol and it will break the hot glue bond. I put painters masking tape on the side to glue down a lot easier to clean up

GTJC460 · Apr 30, 2016

The practice knives that Tira Mitchell sells at www.engraver.com are very nice to engrave. I use them with students in my studio.

Need advice on Stainless

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