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Modifying my anvil for pocket knife work

I've seen pictures of an anvil with a thin side for sliding into the handle of a pocket knife so you can peen pins on scales. This was about a year or two ago when I was thinking about learning to work on traditional pocket knives. My interest is peaked again. I bought an anvil and want to cut the thin side. My question is how far should I cut? How far into the handle does it need to go? I don't want to cut it too far. Does the thin section need to be 1/4" long? 3/8" long? I don't want to cut too much. I don't want the section to become weak. And, the anvil is hard so it's taking some time but it's doable. Can anyone help me with this? I bought a stockman kit on usaknifemakers.com and want to start working on it but I'd like to get this anvil modified first. Also, how often do you need the thin part to go into the handle? Is it a section of an anvil you use often or just once in a while?

Pictures of the anvil and then what I've accomplished so far.

I'm cutting the length right now. When I get it cut deep enough I'll cut from the bottom to complete it. I need to know when to stop cutting what I'm working on now. Does this make sense?

Any help with this is appreciated.

Jack

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on January 21, 2015 at 20:31

A video from 2012 by muskrat man, he told someone to contact this email and ask for the stiddy

caddyman1973(at)gmail.com

caddyman stiddy

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on January 23, 2015 at 8:49

I emailed "caddyman" and here is his reply.

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Hello Jack, That's not my video. That's a friend in Ohio that does knife repair. He was giving out my info on the stiddy very often so he included my email address in the video. Bad news is I am so busy at work that I've not made one in over a year. My brother (also a tool and diemaker) took up my slack and has made several lately. He is currently laid off starting Friday. I was going to order enough steel to make 8 more but we don't know when he'll be back to work. He is finishing the last one tonight but I have 3 guys waiting in line for it. Honestly I don't know of anyone making them. As far as I know they have never been mass produced, only handmade or machine shop made. At any other time I would have had 4 or 5 waiting to be sold. They have been a hot item the past two months. We sell them for $175, made from tool steel and are hardened to 56-58 Rockwell. You'll see that $175 wont pay the machine shop labor not counting the steel. It is a good deal (when we have them). I wish I could be of more help to you. They are definitely hard to find. When my brother gets called back he'll make more. If you want me to, I'll put you on the wait list and I will let you know when we have one available. Sorry I cant be of more help. Thanks for the interest! Bill
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While $175 is more than I would "want" to pay I've paid more for other tools used for hobbies I've been involved in. When the stiddy is available me getting one will be determined by my level of interest in working on pocket knives at the time and my money situation as well. Since there isn't any predictable timeframe for availability it's hard to tell for me. But anyone else can email "caddyman" for future info. Actually, my interest in this hobby has bounced back and forth over the past couple of years. So even if I'm not focusing on it at the time I may get one if I'm filthy rich that day I may get one as they may not be available when I do want one. Either way it's nice to have an idea of how to get one. Thanks Jan.

Jack

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on January 23, 2015 at 14:52

Jack, for what it is worth, I came across an old thread in another forum where IKC member Terry Barkes of Barkes Knife Shop stated he bought what you are looking for for $125 from one of his knifemaker's supplies links from his web site-- This is from a few years back, however.-- His website lists several and I haven't looked to find which one or if it is still avaliable-Anyhow, here is a link to Terry's site--http://my.hsonline.net/~wizard/ -- You could also try contacting him here through IKC to find out where he got his.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on January 23, 2015 at 17:56

A modern version of a stiddy

Cutlers anvil