“(My mom) began buying gunsmithing tools in quantity to receive discounts and then selling the extra tools at gun shows,” recalls Shanna Jantz Kemp, the company’s human resources and marketing director. “This was really the start of Jantz Supply.”

As the Jantzs attended more gun shows, their knife-making interest grew, and they decided to begin offering tools and supplies for that avocation. Ken also shared his gunsmithing traditions with fellow knife-makers, such as checkering, engraving and file work.

Shanna says that her father has always been a “natural” inventor as well as an educator. And, these tendencies prompted him to develop new products as well as tinker with existing ones.

“Often Dad found that products he wanted to offer knife-makers were not in existence or were of quality not up to his standard. So he began manufacturing many of the knife-making components we still offer today, including guards, pommels, file guides, rivets and more,” Shanna says.

At first, Jantz Supply was a payroll of two: just Ken and Venice. Then along came children Shanna, Kenda and Brett Jantz, who grew up in the family business. All three kids continue in the company today. The Jantzs hired their first non-family employee in 1979.

Over the years, the in-house manufacturing potential of Jantz Supply grew, too. It started with a small shop of standard grinders and equipment until 1978 when a CNC lathe was purchased to help increase output. Over time, more CNC equipment was added to the factory, plus vertical milling centers, waterjets, a laser and a wood router. The company’s original CNC lathe is still at work these days manufacturing products for the catalog.

Eventually Jantz Supply settled its headquarters in Davis, Oklahoma, and it has grown from a home-based business to a major retailer of knife-making supplies. Currently, the company occupies 50,000 square feet of warehouse, manufacturing and store. The payroll has expanded, too, with 32 employees that form its customer service team. Shanna considers them all to be part of an “extended family” with a shared passion.

“From the quality of our products, to packaging and shipping, each person who touches a customer’s order treats it like the most important order we have ever received.”

One thing has changed from Jantz Supply’s original business plan: Ken has retired from gunsmithing. But Shanna says he still receives inquiries from people who are seeking the Side Swing gun safety he developed.

But, it’s hard to imagine how he’d have time for that anymore anyway, when you consider the number of products Jantz Supply manufactures in-house — all with Ken’s oversight and approval. Shanna tallies them up: blades, guards, rivets, grinding fixtures, pommels, screws, file guides, KYDEX® presses, pre-shaped handles, spacers, mosaic pins, brass punches and many more items.

Of the company’s 6,000 individual product offerings, Jantz manufactures approximately 40 percent in its Davis facility.

What doesn’t get made there and must be sourced elsewhere undergoes the highest scrutiny before it is added to the product line, Shanna says. “All new products are tested by us in our shop using standard knife-making techniques as well as tested by professionals outside of Jantz for further quality assurance … We simply won’t accept a product for our line unless it exceeds our customer expectations for use.”

Additionally, Shanna says that Jantz is committed to providing “Made in U.S.A.” products for its customers, “because we believe in the longstanding tradition of U.S. quality and workmanship.” But what can’t come from stateside sources is selected carefully from other providers around the world.

One product group Jantz Supply has pioneered over a half century of business is its easy-to-assemble knife kits. They’re designed to be woodworking projects, mostly, and they include a pre-shaped and sharpened blade, handle material, pins or rivets and step-by-step instructions.

“All you need to complete a knife kit is epoxy, a file and sandpaper,” Shanna assures. “Of course, the more advanced tools you have, the easier it is. Most moderate (skilled) woodworkers will have more than the necessary equipment already in their shop.”

But, for those customers who want to make a truly one-of-a-kind knife, the various components can be purchased individually, too.

“Everyone can choose their own handle material from our extensive selection of exotic woods and man-made products. They also can choose their own rivets, pins or decorative screws, as well as guards, pommels and other design elements to make their project completely their own.”

While 2016 marks Jantz Supply’s 50-year milestone, Shanna says customer appreciation won’t involve “special” pricing this year. Rather, Jantz always provides its inventory at the lowest possible price and passes any manufacturer discounts directly on to customers.

“We believe that customers should be able to buy what they want when they want it and not have to wait for a sale to get the best price. I can guarantee, you are always getting our best price when you buy from us.”

Reflecting over the past half century, Shanna attributes Jantz Supply’s success to its unsurpassed dedication to customers and a commitment to providing high quality components, blades and equipment at a great value. By maintaining these company values, Jantz has enabled more people to pursue a knife-making passion than ever before.

And, what started as a family business continues in that tradition today.

“As our company moves into the second and even third generation, with grandchildren beginning to work at Jantz, we remain dedicated to our customers and the knife-making community now and in the years ahead,” Shanna says.

Learn more about Jantz Supply by clicking here.

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When the time comes, send your dull bits and blades to a certified blade sharpener and let their machinists and grinding machines restore them to factory sharp again. It isn’t that expensive for bits and blades that are otherwise in good shape (flat blade body, straight shank, cutting edges unchipped) but just dull. For instance, you should be able to get a general purpose 10-in. table saw blade sharpened for around $25 plus the cost of shipping. And, the blade manufacturer will often provide sharpening-service recommendations for their blades and bits (check their website). I really think we should leave this job to the pros. It’s the best way to extend the life of your cutting tool investments and keep them performing like new.

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The screwdriver shanks are also laser marked to make finding the size you need easier. And, dual-material handles provide more comfortable grip and torque.

Craftsman is packaging Extreme GRIP screwdrivers in a 14-piece set that includes: four stubby screwdrivers with 1-1/2-in. shanks (3/16- and 1/4-in. slotted; #1 and #2 Phillips); four long reach screwdrivers with 8-in. shanks (3/16- and 1/4-in. slotted; #1 and #2 Phillips) and six regular screwdrivers (slotted in 3/16- x 3-in., 1/4- x 4-in. and 5/16- x 6-in. sizes as well as Phillips in #1 x 3-in., #2 x 4-in., and #3 x 6-in. sizes).

A 10-piece set is also available with five stubby screwdrivers (3/16- and 1/4-in. slotted; #0, #1 and #2 Phillips) and five long reach screwdrivers (3/16- and 1/4-in. slotted; #0, #1, #2 Phillips).

The 14-piece Extreme GRIP Screwdriver Set (model 50844) sells for $59.99, and the 10-piece set (model 50838) retails for $39.99. Both options, which are covered by Craftsman’s lifetime hand-tool warranty, are available now at Craftsman.com, Sears.com, Sears Hometown Stores and Sears stores nationwide.

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The tool’s blade mount accepts T-shank jigsaw blades. An onboard wrench will help to make blade changes more quickly.

Other standard features include a low-profile design for improved handling in confined areas, pivoting baseplate that tips left or right to 45 degrees, a built-in dust blower to keep cutting line-of-sight clear and both an electric brake and lock-on button for continuous operation.

The jigsaw is powered by Makita’s 12V max CXT Lithium-ion batteries (it is not compatible with 12V max pod style batteries and chargers).

You can buy the Makita 12V max CXT Jigsaw (model VJ04Z) as a bare tool for around $99, which includes a jigsaw blade. Or, in kit form for about $175 (model VJ04R1), the jigsaw also comes with a blade, two 12V max CXT 2.0 Ah batteries, charger and a tool case.

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– Joe Acquisto
Cheektowaga, NY

See the Gallery Below:

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“It makes a lot of sense to have the a/c in the workshop. After all, you want your wood to stay at the proper moisture level. I just have one question: is your new wife a woodworker or are you leaving her to fend for herself?  It might be better for your health to sweat it out with her if she’s not spending time with you in the shop.  Otherwise you may come home to a garage sale of stuff you didn’t want sold.” – Mike Grawvunder

To Mike and all the other readers: Rest assured that Rob’s wife makes sure she is not left sweltering in a hot house while he is in a cool shop. – Editor

Another Natural “Oil”

In response to last issue’s question on finishing with shea oil, we heard from a reader with some insights on a different kind of “oil”: jojoba. – Editor

“In your July 19, 2016  issue you published Chris Marshall’s piece about shea oil as a wood finish and suggested polyurethane as the preferred finish for a dining room table because of its resistance to scuffs and spills. Good advice. Please note that there is one entirely natural finish (no toxic ingredients) of which most woodworkers are not aware: 100 percent pure jojoba (pronounced ho-ho-ba, like a grumpy Santa Claus).

“Pure jojoba is a liquid wax ester; it has an indefinite shelf life.  The seeds from which it is pressed are edible — although there are better things to eat! You will often see jojoba described as ‘jojoba oil.’ That’s a misnomer and does a huge disservice to the nature of the product. In fact, jojoba is the closest thing to human sebum they’ve found in the plant world. Sebum is that restorative fluid our sebaceous gland produce to keep our skin healthy. You don’t need to worry if you get jojoba on your skin. It’s actually good for you. And, you don’t have to throw away the rags you use to apply it. Wash them out with hot water and soap, and use them again.

“Jojoba is commonly used as a multipurpose personal care product (skin, scalp and hair), but it’s got a whole host of other uses, as well. Ever pulled the label off a container and had that tacky glue residue to get rid of? Jojoba gets rid of it. Ever wanted to keep your tools from oxidizing? Jojoba is an antioxidant.  You should clean and store every tool you own with it. Ever wanted to spruce up a leather shoe or boot? Use jojoba. Do you have or make wooden toys your children or grandchildren play with? Yep. Jojoba is perfect for finishing those, too.

“We’ve finished all of the posts and beams of our barn with pure jojoba. It brings out the grain of the wood and preserves the wood beautifully. If it’s NOT a piece of fine furniture you’re finishing, but a more rustic presentation, then jojoba works great and is far safer than the toxic stuff the industry has been recommending for millennia.

“Unrelated to woodworking, but good to know nonetheless, I put a 250ml bottle of jojoba in my engine with every oil change. My truck has close to 200,000 miles on it. Still chugging.

“The best source for pure jojoba is The Jojoba Company d/b/a The Original Jojoba Company. They’ve been in business for more than 20 years, and the only product they provide is pure jojoba. They know their stuff.” – Bob Butler

Hoopback Garden Bench

And another reader appreciated one of the Free Plans on offer. – Editor

“I was just looking through today’s edition of the Woodworker’s Journal eZine email and couldn’t help but notice the Hoopback Garden Bench. Naturally, I had to download the plans. Here’s why…

“Just two weeks ago, I finished my own version of the Hoopback Garden Bench. Where, oh where, were these plans back then? You see, some time ago, I promised a friend I would make her a garden bench. Not long after, I found a decorative metal, queen-size bedframe for sale on Craigslist. It had matching head- and footboards that I felt would make great backs for a bench. I searched the Internet for over a month trying to find plans for a bench that would fit the style of the headboard. Almost ready to give up, I finally found a Sketch-Up drawing of the Hoopback Garden Bench…no instructions, just a drawing. I downloaded it, and the program, and struggled through trying to figure out dimensions, joints, etc., and how to modify it to accept my headboard.

It was a long, difficult endeavor, but I finally finished it — like I said, two short weeks ago — and delivered it to my friend, who accepted with tears in her eyes … which of course, brought tears to my own. I’m enclosing a photo of the finished product.

Yes, I sit here wishing you had posted this two months ago, but that’s OK. I’ve downloaded and saved it anyway, because there’s still the matter of that footboard … you see, my wife wants a bench now, too. I think I’ll take a short break from benches and make a few other things …some easier pieces. But, when I get back to it, at least now I’ll have some plans and instructions to help me along the way!” – Dale Boyer

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