Finished our Apartment Renovation!

Well, except for a few odds and ends... I guess anybody who's ever renovated their living space knows about those little things! But at least we were able to move back into our apartment where we can once again use the kitchen and bathroom. The new bathroom is really nice too! All the work was indeed worth it.

I have deleted several old posts regarding the construction work ... that's all water under the bridge now. Let's just say I spent all of November and December working on the apartment and NOT working in the knife workshop.

Good Selection of WilkinsGRIP BMG x2 Grips in stock

I currently have WilkinsGRIP BMGx2 gripsets for all large Griptilian folders in stock and ready to ship. On hand are:

• Ranger Green G10
• Lemon Yellow G11
• Orange G10
• Swimming Pool Green G11

The Swimming Pool G11 is the last of that material I have and my supplier can no longer deliver it, so if you want Swimming Pool Gren grips, don't wait until they're all gone like some folks did with the minis... I also do not have anymore Ranger Green or Orange G10 and will have obtain more material from the USA before making these colors again too.

I have a large project starting shortly that will require most of my time in November and keep me away from the shop. I do not expect to be able to produce any more product before December, unless everything else goes really, really well. Just saying...

Hand-Braided Lanyards

I finally located a vendor for hand-braided Paracord Lanyards of excellent quality. Colors are Black and Foliage Green, each with a black plastic bead which is easily replacable with one of your own if desired.

Lanyards may also be purchased individually for €7.14 each ( €6.00 for sales shipping outside the European Union) Please note that I have a €20 minimum order exclusive of VAT and shipping.

Here's a couple of pics. Price is obviously just for the lanyard, other items in the pics are for decoration only and are sold separately.

NEW PVC Logo Patches

The initial runs of my PVC Logo Patches are just about sold out. I only have a few Foliage Green left .... soooo I designed a totally new version.

This one is also Glow in the Dark!

Size is 40mm in diameter, velcro backed. Basic color is black, while the ring behind the type is Coyote Tan. The "W" Logo, box and circle will glow in the dark after being exposed to a strong light.

I will be including one of these free with any purchase of a knife or WilkinsGRIP gripset.

Price to purchase alone is €5.95 each (€5 for sales shipping outside the European Union), please note that I have a minimum order of €20 excluding VAT and shipping.

Here's a pic!

WilkinsGRIP BMGx2 gripsets are NOW ready!

Looks like I will have the BMGx2 gripsets for Benchmade's Large (regular) Griptilian series folders done by end of the week / beginning of next week in the following colors:

• Smooth Orange G10
• Medium Textured Ranger Green G10
• Medium Textured Black G10, some with Blood Red spaces and some with Black spacers

Prices remain unchanged: €142.80 (€120 for sales shipping outside the European Union)
€7 shipping inside Germany, €10 to most of the rest of the World

Saturday Update

Looks like I will be doing some more WilkinsGRIP BMGx2 gripsets next week!

Colors planned are Orange, Ranger Green and Black, all in G10 FR4.

I will post 'em when I get 'em done!

The last batch of Minis are going fast. I do plan on doing some more grips but please understand, I do NOT have a production plan I can consult and provide dates and times. I don't have the resources to buy the material that far ahead and my plans change weekly.

When I'm PRETTY SURE about what I'll be making, I will post the info here. If you send me an email asking when I will have something, the answer will always be "I dunno."

WilkinsGRIP BMGmini in Black G10 in Stock

These are ready to ship!!

CNC machined from smooth (non-textured) Black G10 with black stainless screws and a smooth, Hardcoat anodized black alu spacer.

Price per Gripset: €107.10 (€90 for sales shipping outside the European Union)
Shipping: €7 inside Germany, €10 to most of the Rest of the World
 

WilkinsGRIP BMGmini Ranger Green G10 in Stock

SOLD OUT!

WilkinsGRIP BMGmini Orange smooth G10 in Stock

The newest run of WilkinsGRIP BMGmini grips for Benchmade's Mini Griptilian (all models) is in stock and ready to ship. These grips now come with black stainless screws! and smooth black Hardcoat anodized spacers.

Price per Gripset: €107.10 (€90 for sales shipping outside the European Union)
Shipping: €7 inside Germany, €10 to most of the rest of the World

Shoot me an email if you'd like a set!

HTevolution Final Run

I'm finishing the final run of HTevolutions with Black Micarta grips now. The first ones are ready to ship!

I did a redesign of the surface of the grips using flowing lines instead of the Bee Sting pattern used on the other HTes. Both leather and Kydex sheaths are optional.

Price per knife: €178.50 (€150 for sales shipping outside the European Union)
Shipping charges: €7 inside Germany, €10 for most of the Rest of the World

WilkinsGRIP Update

The Blood Red Minis are sold out, I still have some of the Hardcoat black anodized ones, however those are also going fast.

Next up will be a small run of BMGminis machined from ORANGE G10! I hope to have those ready to ship out late next week. I had a terrible head cold last week and was out of the shop almost all week.

BMGx2 Gripsets in Textured Black G10

These are SOLD OUT!

HTevolution: New Grip Pattern

I'm working on the last of the HTevolution fixed blades now. All these knives will have black Micarta grips with a new pattern milled into the surface. Here's a preview...

WilkinsGRIP BMGx2 in Swimming Pool Green are done

Finished these up yesterday, get 'em while they're fresh! :-)

These are machined from the last of the Swimming Pool Green G11 I had in stock. I'm not sure if this material will be available in the future or what it will cost. These grips also feature black stainless M2.5 screws.

Price per Gripset: €142.80 (€120 for sales shipping outside the European Union)
Shipping: €7 in Germany, €10 for most of The Rest of the World

Price is for the GRIPS ONLY. The knife is NOT included.
This modified product was not manufactured by Benchmade Knife Co., Inc.

More News

I should have the BMGx2 grips in Swimming Pool Green and Textured Black G10 up for sale on the weekend at the latest.

I hope the Alu Minis will also be done ... let's see if the anodizing guys are done this week...

Additionally, I'm working on the last run of HTevolutions. All these knives will have black Micarta grips with a new pattern milled into the grips. The last Pale Green and Orange are done and up for sale on my site. These are the last of the HTevolutions, once these are gone, the model is sold out.

Friday Update

August is here so while the Haas CNC is labouring away in the next room, I'm typing away at the computer... incoming grips in the works are ...

BMGx2 Textured Black G10 and Swimming Pool Green G11.

I handed in a small batch of BMGminis machined from AlMgSi1 Alu for anodizing today, these will be in Hardcoat Black and Dark Red ... providing there are no "problems" in the anodizing. You know how that is...

Hopefully I will have the parts back in about a week or so, then I post pics and they will be for sale. Please, I cannot take reservations or pre-sales on these. I won't sell goods I don't yet have.

Website Update!

I finally updated my main website to include the Mini Thorn Tactical, Basic Military Field Knife and the Steakout!. Each of these knives have their own page acessable from the fixed page. I will try and revamp the in stock page this week.

WilkinsGRIP Update

The Titanium minis are sold out and I have only a few sets left in Swimming Pool Green.

I'm working on a surprise project in BMGmini catagory and hope to have those ready in the next 2 weeks.

I also have rounded up some G10 that is out being ground to thickness now and will doing more BMGmini and BMGx2 gripsets in August.

I placed a large order for black G10 recently and hope that will be ready in late August as well...

So it's not like I won't be busy!!

BMGmini Titanium are going fast ... and GONE!

These are all SOLD OUT!

The natural, bright finish is sold out and the others are almost gone... thank you everyone for the fantastic response!

I plan to make some WilkinsGRIP BMGx2 gripsets next, these will be made from textured black G10 and Swimming Pool Green G11!

BMGmini Titanium Gripsets are Shipping

SOLD OUT!
I'm finishing the WilkinsGRIP BMBmini Titanium gripsets I've been working on and they are ready to ship now. Most have the matt Grey Ghost finish but I've left a few that are just stone washed and left bright in case anybody prefers that. All gripsets are individually machined from Grade 2 Titanium and the spacers are machined from 6061 Alu with a Hardcoat anodized finish.
 SOLD OUT!!

Price per Gripset is €178.50 (€150 for orders shipping outside the European Union)
Price is for the GRIPS ONLY the KNIFE is NOT included!
Postage is €7 inside Germany and €10 for most of the Rest of the World.

I only have a limited quantity on hand, so get while they're fresh!

The top 3 pics show grips with the Grey Ghost matt grey finish, the last pic at the bottow shows a gripset finished bright. Totally SOLD OUT!!

Photo above shows the Bright natural titanium finish.

Shop Lease Extension!

I have received a 1 year extension on the lease for my workshop from the new owners of the property! This means I can stay put through January 2014.

This is what we call GOOD NEWS.

Evidently the new owners have delayed their plans to kick everyone out and convert the commercial space into residential lofts. As far as we, the current tenants are concerned, they can delay those plans forever!

I'm really happy because I have not been able to locate any alternative location for my shop that was economically feasible. 

As many have noticed, I have been channeling my knifemaking efforts more and more in the direction of design and production of short run, manufactured knives where I do all the R&D as well as most of the production in-house and out source the blade grinding and heat treating. I am also spending more time making WilkinsGRIP products.

The reasons for these changes are simple: I really enjoy making small runs of knives and offering buyers top quality cutlery at prices that remain affordable. I cannot do this making one knife at a time and call the endeavor a "business." 

I hope and plan to expand into offering short run, manufactured folding knives in the near future.

All of these projects require my investing a good deal of money to realize each project. I'm also still designing the knives, coordinating all phases of production, standing at the machines for many of them myself, marketing and selling all products, packing and taking every package to the Post office myself and making sure the books are in order. Doing things this way, your week fills up really fast. (I'm writing this Saturday morning and as soon as I'm done, I'll be packing packages and doing a Post run.)

I do see this type of operation as being the key to survival in the knifemaking "business." I do not see making individual, custom knives as a viable business for myself. I tried. It did not work out. Great hobby. Terrible business.

I will still be making some individual, hand ground knives and selling them from stock. I do not expect to begin taking custom orders in the foreseeable future – unless I were to increase the prices many fold, which I really can't see doing.

Many thanks go out to all the customers and friends who have taken the time to write and express their support for me and my work while I've been dealing with all these lease woes. And of course thanks to everyone of you who have bought stuff! To have a business, you got's to have income! 

I hope now to use the coming year and a half to build up my business to the point where I can actually afford to pay rent on a new shop – if I have to move after the current lease is up. Hey, who knows, I might even be able to Hire Somebody to work for me! Or at least get somebody to go to the Post Office and stand in line for me...

More News

Looks like the next WilkinsGRIPs up will be BMGminis made from Swimming Pool Green G11 and small run made from Burnt Orange G11 – which is a new type (and color) I haven't seen before.

I will then begin working on the Titanium Minis which should be up after those are done.

I also have two Leafstorm folders about done and should be posting those for sale this weekend!

Added Note: I cannot pre-reserve, pre-order, pre-sell, give first refusal rights on things I'm planning or working on. If I did this, most people would never get a cance to buy anything and I'd spend hours and hours trying to chase down all the pre-buyers who no-showed on me etc etc etc. When I have something for sale, I post it for sale. Before I post it, I don't sell it. Thanks for your understanding!

Grey Ghost Titanium Gripsets are Gone!

100% Sold Out! Many thanks for the fantastic response!

This modified Product was not manufactured by Benchmade Knife Company, Inc.

BMGx2 Grey Ghost Gripsets: Sold Out

This run is Sold Out!

Getting' The Ti Grips done!

If all keeps going well - ha ha ha - I should have the run of BMGx2 Titanium grips ready for sale by the end of next week! I will post 'em as soon as I get 'em done!

Titanium WilkinsGRIPs are coming

I've started work on some WilkinsGRIP BMG x2 Gripsets in Titanium for the large Griptilians. I hope to have these done in the next couple of weeks. I've just begun machining the material flat and to size, so hopefully all will go well! I just got in almost $600 worth of carbide cutters, so that should do it!

I expect the price will be €202.30 (€170 for non-EU sales) per gripset same as the Steampunk series.

Some will be finished in tumble polished, matt Grey Ghost finish and I will also be able to fire anodize as requested at time of purchase.

The Leafstorm and Parforce folders are still in the works too!

Steakout! News: I have Steakout! knives in stock with grips machined from the same Havanna acetate used on the Steampunk grips ... price is the same as for the other Steakout! knives. I will post pics asap... but you can order now anyway.

New Grip Colors for the Basic Military Field Knife

Finally got 2 new versions of the Basic Military Field Knife ready to ship. Specs and prices are the same as for the other Basic Military Field Knives shown below. (Scroll down a few posts to see 'em all.)

First up is Jet Black Micarta. I lucked into a small lot of old school, really black linen Micarta and am using the entire batch for these knives. This stuff is nice and grippy and is really black, not grey black like some Micarta on the market today. Once these are gone, they're gone, I can't get anymore of this Micarta.

Next up is Black & White Layered Melamine paper laminate. I love the way this stuff looks and have used it for Ryback Series 2 grips as well as a few WilkinsGRIP sets.

I'm back!

I was away the last couple of weeks visiting my family in the USA for the first time in three years. Sorry for the sporadic replies to the hundreds of email I received during that time. What's the point of a vacation if all you do is work?

But now I'm back and have hopefully answered all outstanding questions.

New enquires will be answered quickly.

I will be making more Basic Military Knives as soon as I have the material for the grips. I'm also trying to purchase G10/G11 for more WilkinsGRIP products. Some orange G10 is on the way to me now.

More News as it developes!

WilkinsGRIP BMGx2 Steampunk Edition V1

I did this edition of 12 gripsets machined from 5mm brass, blackened and hand polished. Each gripset included five heat-colored stainless screws and a machined, Hardcoat anodized black spacer and a numbered, signed certificate and Wilkins "W" Logo PVC patch.

The grips have a window machined from both sides revealing the interior of the knife. The windows are inlayed with acetate – the same material used for eye glass frames. I had 6 different types of inlays, some  more transparent than others as is apparent from the pics.

The standard pocket clip may be installed if desired, however you may need to bend the clip in a vise to adjust the tension. The clip may also leave marks on the acetate inlay where it makes contact. I suggest leaving the clip off. Do not ever use acetone to clean these grips as it will dissolve the acetate!

These grips were more a design exercise than the pair for "Hard Use" but hey, if you're Captain Nemo you can take them down 20,000 Leagues if you choose. They are heavy enough to help you dive deep fast! Maybe James Cameron needs a set for his next Voyage to the Bottom of the Ocean? ;-)

These are all sold out. Right now I do not plan another run, but who knows what the future holds!

Here are a few pic!

Havana Acetate

Blue Ice Inlay

Pale Yellow Transparent Inlay

This modified product was not manufactured by Benchmade Knife Co., Inc.

Basic Military Field Knives in Stock!

The new Basic Military Field Knife blades are finally laser marked and ready to ship! The integral grips are machined from Black Textured G10 (shown above), Desert Tan Micarta, (Matt Black G10 and pale Green G11 are sold out). The steel is Sandvik's 14C28N which is one of the best all-round stainless cutlery steels in the world. The tang protrudes slightly from the grip so you can beat on stuff.

Specs
overall length: 235mm
blade: 110mm (100mm sharpened), 4,1mm thick, blade height 35mm, flat grind, stonewashed finish
grip thickness: 18.5mm, 6mm lanyard hole
weight: 210 - 225 grams (this is a very lightweight knife)

Leather sheaths are available as an option and will fit all the BMFK knives, regadless of the grips.
Price: €196.35 (€165 for buyers outside the European Union)
I think is is a tremendous deal on a knife of this quality.

Saturday Update

I have the first of the NEW Steakout! fixed blades ready for laser marking. I will bring them to the laser guys's on Monday and hope to have them online in another week. They really look nice. These will be fairly inexpensive, somewhere around €100 I hope. I still have to finish adding up all the costs... The first knives will available with grips of Toxic Green or See-Through Orange acetate as well as textured Ranger Green G10. Pics coming soon!

The galvanic folks are right around the corner from the laser marking people and I will be picking up the Steampunk WilkinsGRIPs on monday as well. I still have to do the inlays. I will see when I can get these finished....

... because I also have the first of the Military Fixed Blade back from grinding. The first knives are made from Sandvik 14C28N stainless. I'm finishing the grips for these next week. I hope to be selling knives by end of the month of April or beginning of May.

Mini Thorn Tactical: Ranger Green Back in Stock

I finished up some coarse textured Ranger Green grips for the Mini Thorn Tactical Series today, so these are finally back in stock and ready to ship. The Ranger Green grips may also be purchased serapately!

On Any Given Sunday...

I have things sorted regarding spare grips for the Mini Thorn Tactical fixed blades. I will now be selling Spare Grips! Grips come in matched pairs - duh - and include the 4 screws and 2 threaded inserts needed to attach them to your knife. You'll need a small Allen wrench or Torx driver to remove and attach the grips scales.

Obviously, be careful not to cut yourself! Tape up the sharp blade before you begin.

Currently I have the following grips in stock for sale:

• Black textured G10: €32.13 for non-EU sales: €27
• Orange Smoth G10: €32.13 for non-EU sales: €27
• Toxic Green Acetate: €32.13 for non-EU sales: €27
• See Through pale Orange Acetate: €32.13 for non-EU sales: €27
• Cocobolo Wood: €45.22 for non-EU sales: €38

New Grips for Mini Thorn Tactical Series

I have two new Grips colors in stock for the Mini Thorn Tactical series. First up is Pale Orange Translucent acetate. You can see through the grips! They look like Gummi Bears. Just don't use acetone to clean these .... acetate does NOT like acetone. Also don't eat 'em! They look like Gummi Bears but they taste like plastic.

 

To celebrate finally buying a membership on the USN Forum: Toxic Green acetate grips! Both Pale Orange and Toxic Green feature milled grooves for added traction. Acetate is very grippy – it's the stuff glasses frames are made of – and sort of self polishing. It's not very heat resistant so don't leave these grips in the oven.

 

Price on these knives remains €124.95 (€105 for non-EU sales) plus shipping which is €7 for Germany and €10 for most of the Rest of the World. Ask when ordering for your exact shipping costs.

Supplies on both of these are very limited. Depending on customer reaction, I may be able to obtain more of these materials ... or maybe not. Currently I am only able to offer the grips installed on a new knife. In the future I hope to offer the grips alone to allow knife owners to swap out their grips as desired.

Get 'em while they're fresh!

Monday, Monday

I appreciate the fantastic response to the WilkinsGRIP BMGx2 gripsets I put up for sale last Friday. Wow!

I still have several gripsets in Pale Green and Lemon G11. Both colors are partially translucent - making them a real pain to take photos of! - but really nice in person. Anyone looking to get a pair of those, shoot me an email.

I am also working on a limited edition of WilkinsGRIP BMGx2 grips in a new Steampunk design. These are going to be real Wild, Wild West! These will have interesting inlays made of Acetate and enable the user to look into the inside of the knife. I will be posting pics, prices and more info as soon as they're ready. I expect that to be next week!

Ryback Bushcrafter Orange with Kydex Sheath

I have one only Ryback Bushcrafter Orange G10 Grips with matching custom made Kydex sheath. The sheath is fitted with a Spyderco Gclip. The package comes complete as show PLUS a Helikon molle Pouch AND a Fire Steel 2.0 and of course, a Wilkins Soft PVC Logo Patch. SOLD Thanks to Tom B.!

Drop me an email if you're interested! I don't expect to be making any more orange grips in the near future, I am considering offering these Kydex sheaths.

WilkinsGRIP BMGx2 Gripsets in Stock!

I finished up a batch of grips for the large Griptilians ... I have WilkinsGRIP BMGx2 gripsets in stock in:

• SOLD OUT Medium Textured Ranger Green G10 SOLD OUT
• Smooth Translucent Pale Green G11
• Smooth Translucent Lemon Yellow G11

These gripsets are €142.80 (€120 non-EU sales) each
plus shipping ( €7 Germany, €10 USA, EU and most other countries)

Drop me a line if you'd like a pair ( or 2)!

Here's the new Lemon G11