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clicked post before this bit of advice:
Don't buy a knife made in Pakistan...US or Japanese made blades are the way to go. The Pakistan knives are generally cheap and don't function well. Some handle inlay people use them because they're cheap to buy, but anyone who knows and uses a good knife won't like one.
The Paki knives are probably made of low carbon steel from scrapped ships. That stuff makes good structures but cannot be hardened, except by case hardening, enough to take or hold a good edge.
Try looking on line for a small batch supplier of tool or high carbon stainless steel. If you are froging your own knives automobile and truck springs are excellent knife metal. Just be certain you heat treat them properly.
I recommend a knick knack store in Santa Fe that sells desert pigeon metal works. And all kinds of cool knick knacks of any and almost every kind. My wife and I were there last week and bought one for the living room. About $29.63 with New Mexico sales tax and worth every penny and then some cents that we didn't have to pay. Makes a lovely gift, dudes.
Last edited by elkotronics; 04-30-2013 at 09:57 AM..
The Paki knives are probably made of low carbon steel from scrapped ships. That stuff makes good structures but cannot be hardened, except by case hardening, enough to take or hold a good edge.
Try looking on line for a small batch supplier of tool or high carbon stainless steel. If you are froging your own knives automobile and truck springs are excellent knife metal. Just be certain you heat treat them properly.
A friend of mine made knives for years out of old two-man hand saw blades.... what lumberjacks used before chainsaws. Great steel and dirt cheap.
There's a huge cutlery biz in Pakistan, but often the folding knives do not have well fitting parts. You can tell when you go to open them.... they don't walk (slide open) or talk (click into place when opened) very well at all. Then there's junk steel......
Some great Damascus steel comes from Pakistan, though most of the best in the affordable level comes from India. Some amazing Damascus made in the US, but it's pretty dear.
Interesting to know about Nambe! My "vintage " pieces will be valued even more. Years ago, I took a little Nambe votive candle to my host in the former East Germany. When I presented it to her, she was so delighted to receive it!
I haven't read all of the posts yet...But, what was his favorite Restaurant here in NM? If I were you, I'd find a way to get him some of that food.
Personally, when I go out of town for a while, even if it's just a week, when I get back I can't wait to sink my teeth into a smothered green chile breakfast burrito from Twister's. Oh, I would include a picture of his favorite NM place, too. Just because nostalgia, y'know?
If he likes his chile, get some novelty food item from that one store in most malls, 'The Chile Addict' My parents once got a jar of Red Chile Strawberry preserves as a Christmas present...I can't think of anything else that says 'New Mexico' than something strange like that!
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