Letter openers, the kind you make with a kit?

[reible]

My SIL has been to an art fair where she saw a stainless steel letter opener that in a booth and now would like me to make one that matches the pen I turned for her out of birdeye maple.

I looked at a couple of places for the blades so that I could do a round handle with but they seem to be different then the that and have flat tang... (If I look at other things then SS then they have the sort of thing I'm looking for but she is not interested in the plated gold that seems quite common).


Anyone making something like that or know a source for that sort of thing. I'm thinking of the same methodology as pen making.

Ed

[benush26]

Hi Ed.

I haven't made any of the Penn State or others of that ilk but have made my fair share of these.

openers.jpg (17.79 KiB) Viewed 5384 times

And tried a couple like these before I figured out I was not a very patient carver

fancy.jpg (4.55 KiB) Viewed 5384 times

But a while back ran across these in a search and thought they were cool looking so may try something like this

Letter-opener+wooden.jpg (17.96 KiB) Viewed 5384 times

Not sure of the quality of the Penn State kits so have not bought one to try, but I think I like the idea of a non-metal blade so will stick with all wood.

Good luck in your search.

Be well,
Ben

[S Brian]

I have made several letter openers using the Penn State Deluxe kits. The Deluxe kit has three different finishes; Chrome, Satin Chrome and Gold. I use pen turning squares and it takes about 20 minutes to turn one. The threaded inserts are pressed into each end and the blade and top are screwed into the inserts. I put a drop of CA glue on the threads, before assembly.

[Gene Howe]

Ben, Those letter openers are really cool.
I too, prefer ones without metal.

[cooch366]

Real nice job Ben.... Excellent work...... Beautiful.

[charlese]

Hi Ed! Here's a kit with a chrome blade.
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/150550 ... hrome.aspx

[charlese]

Hi Ed! Here's a kit with a chrome blade.
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/150550 ... hrome.aspx

Penn State has a few silver looking kits:
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/lette ... -kits.html

Here's from another supplier I have never noticed before:
http://www.cherryblossomenterprises.org ... _Gold.html

[reible]

I do like the wood versions but since it isn't for me I'll have to guess that I will be making something with a metal blade.

I have not found a source of stainless steel in the type of opener she wants so I have forwarded the chrome and satin versions web pages off to her. In any case it is out of my hands for the moment.

Thanks for the sharing guys.

Ed