If you have been looking at the content of the blog, you will notice a new banner, located on the right-hand Sidebar. It is from Czeck Edge, owned by Bob Zajicek. Just last week I received his latest creation, the Kerf Kadet; the handle is kingwood.
The Kerf Kadet received a glowing review by none other than Christopher Schwarz, Editor of Woodworking Magazine. Chris wrote:
“…The knife is flawless. Crisp and smooth with a perfect transition from wood to metal…”
I could try to add to the review by Chris Schwarz, but that would not make sense. The best I can do is share with you that the Kerf Kadet, with its very thin blade, is close to perfect to mark in very tight spaces. To complement my router/jig dovetail skills, I have started practicing hand-cut dovetails; from these dovetails I will mark the tiny pins. The Kerf Kadet will be perfect to mark the skinny pins.
In addition to the Kerf Kadet, I also received the Bird Cage Awl. The handle on this tool is also kingwood, custom size; it is larger than the handle on the stock awl. I wanted to be able to exert a lot of pressure when boring into the harder woods. This bird cage awl is an awesome tool to start larger screw holes!
Czeck Edge does something nobody else does: The Kerf Kadet and the bird cage awl come with blade guards, plus two sets of spares. It is the only company that offers guards for the layout tools. In addition, the ferrules on the Kerf Kadet are machined bronze, not the typical brass ferrule.
Is this the beginning of the slippery slope?
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David,
I will try a kit at some point. I am glad to learn it *is* a good way to go. Thanks!
Not long ago, I ordered a couple of the marking knife kits from Czeck Edge. I have to say that they are very nice in themselves. If you like making your own tools, this is a great way to go. Even better, they are very reasonably priced.