Clarke Customs

Clarke Customs I make tools for the Custom Knife Making Community. I also have been making fixed blades and folders for over a decade.

I'm a retired Engineer that loves solving problems. If you need help with and idea or design, shoot me a message.

06/06/2026

I’m headed home from Blade with only two knife vises, some new knives, and some great new connections. Thank you to everyone that took some time to visit and to make introductions. This worldwide community is pretty special!

8 hours on the mill yesterday and another 5 hours today. I’m getting knife vises made before leaving for Blade Atlanta. ...
06/03/2026

8 hours on the mill yesterday and another 5 hours today. I’m getting knife vises made before leaving for Blade Atlanta. The shop seems to be covered in aluminum chips.

Also making small wheels to bring to some makers that will be at the show. If anyone is gonna be there, let me know your table number so I can stop by to see you.

A Rotary Platen add on for under $100! This is even simpler than what I posted yesterday. It uses a piece of 2" x 1/4"...
06/03/2026

A Rotary Platen add on for under $100!

This is even simpler than what I posted yesterday. It uses a piece of 2" x 1/4" wall square tubing to mount the tensioning wheel on your tool arm that holds your existing platen. I can't wait for my grooved wheels to get here. I approved the drawings today and they should be turning them tommorow.

More progress on my Poor Boy Rotary Platen. The design is done, and it's about as simple (and cheap about a $100) as I ...
06/01/2026

More progress on my Poor Boy Rotary Platen. The design is done, and it's about as simple (and cheap about a $100) as I could make it. It requires a Short tool arm to support the tensioning wheel, a 1.5" x 1.5" x 2" block for the tensioning bolt. And 3 grooved wheels. I have some coming from a a CNC shop to test this with. They should be here in about 10 days or so. My belts came today. New parts are in RED.

On my Reeder grinder, I will have to shorten the mounts for the front steel platen to clear the grooved belt. Their design allows the front platen to be moved outward over an inch, which isn't needed. So this mod shouldn't effect the usability of the factory platen.

Let me know your thoughts! IF it works and folks want to attempt this, we could arrange a group buy for the grooved wheels to save on shipping cost.

I need some Input from folks using (or thinking about using) a surface grinding attachment for their 2 x 72 grinders. I...
05/30/2026

I need some Input from folks using (or thinking about using) a surface grinding attachment for their 2 x 72 grinders. I'm designing and building one for myself. I'll be happy to share the plans when I'm done.

How important and usable are the following:
1 Adjustable angle lengthwise (Tapered tangs?)
2 Adjustable angle top to bottom
3 Size of the grinding Wheel
4 Serrated or Smooth Wheel

Any other feedback that might improve on your current design or any other ideas?

Thanks!

(Picture from Google for attention)

TEASER!I've been wanting to make a Surface grinder for my 2 x 72 grinder for some time now. I haven't been crazy about ...
05/29/2026

TEASER!
I've been wanting to make a Surface grinder for my 2 x 72 grinder for some time now. I haven't been crazy about the magnet systems for holding the blade on commercial and do it yourself ones. So, today I ordered some custom made Permanent Magnet Chucks from a factory in China. They are 75mm x 400mm, roughly 3" x 16". They won't ship for 20 days, so it could be a while before I get them.

It will give me time to collect up all the other pieces I need.

Cheers!

I'm also working on a lower cost option for a Rotary Platen. This would be an add on to your existing Platen to convert...
05/27/2026

I'm also working on a lower cost option for a Rotary Platen. This would be an add on to your existing Platen to convert it to a Rotary Platen, items in RED. If the 3d Printed ribbed Wheels hold up, it will greatly reduce the cost. The grooved idler wheels in our cars are glass reinforced plastic.

This one is loosely based on my Reeder Platen dimensions. I like the longer platen than most of the commercial designs.

I need some feedback. For those with rotary platens, does it make a difference when hollow grinding? I would think the contact wheel is already moving with the belt would not need the belt like the flat platen does. Also, do you use your Rotary Platen for slack belt grinding/sanding?

Thanks!

Is so much fun to design crazy stuff that I couldn’t machine if I wanted to. Here is a 3d printed hub for a 10” grinder ...
05/27/2026

Is so much fun to design crazy stuff that I couldn’t machine if I wanted to. Here is a 3d printed hub for a 10” grinder wheel with “turbine” blades to pull air through it for cooling.

This is a new design I’m working on. This is a prototype 4 inch x 2” contact wheel with a replaceable polyurethane surfa...
05/25/2026

This is a new design I’m working on. This is a prototype 4 inch x 2” contact wheel with a replaceable polyurethane surface. If it works in testing I can scale it up to a 10” contact wheel. I’ll also be testing if a hub 3d Printed from PETG Carbon Fiber will work. More to come soon.

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26003 Ashland Hollow Lane
Katy, TX
77494

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