Kadet Marking Knife

The Kadet marking knife excels at marking out the details that fine joinery demands. Pins for dovetails can be defined from tails barely wider than the kerf created by most dovetail hand saws. The Kadet’s .029” thick sword point blade makes this task accurate, easy and routine. Overall, the Kadet blade measures 5/16” wide with a projection of 1 7/16” with a 44 degree included angle forming the point. The bevels are ground to 40 degrees on one side of the blade only. The back of the blade is ground flat permitting the point to register snugly against a straightedge or off a joinery element from either the left or right side.

The handle for the Kadet is proportioned to facilitate precision and light-duty marking, being pencil-like in the grip area. The contour of the Liberty Wood™ handle makes a flowing, uninterrupted transition to the ferrule. The length of the handle is such that the cove fits nicely in the web of the hand between the index finger and thumb. This profile is very similar to that found on our larger, Pilot marking knife, making for a transparent experience when transitioning between the tools for demanding layout situations.

The machined bronze or stainless steel ferrule has three grooves which permit a comfortable grip for the index finger and second finger. The forward groove is emphasized, at 3/16” wide and rounded on the bottom. Comfort and grip are at the forefront. These ergonomic features combine to provide the woodworker with a degree of control unique to our marking knives.

Handle Material

All Czeck Edge by Benchcrafted tool handles are CNC turned and hand polished using Liberty Wood™, a material made from compressed layers of 1/16” thick birch veneer, phenolic-resins and dye. Due to the arrangement of the wood layers and dye selections, Liberty Wood™ takes on a look that is nearly identical to many Rosewoods, plus, using dye we can create colors not naturally found in trees, like our Indigo or Charcoal colors. Liberty Wood™ is extremely resistant to movement and abrasion, and takes a beautiful polish. Our handles, amazingly enough, are finely sanded and buffed. No finish is applied, so there is none to wear off. Your handle should keep its shine and luster for many years of normal use. It’s added weight gives a very substantial feel in the hand. Liberty Wood™ has a specific gravity that rivals the world’s densest wood: Lignum Vitae.

Choosing Blade Material

The Kadet marking knife comes equipped with your choice of a tool steel blade or a solid carbide blade . Both are finely ground, ready to use and sharp right out of the box.

Tool Steel

The tool steel blade is hardened to Rockwell 58-60. You can sharpen the tool steel blade with any sharpening gear you already have: waterstones, abrasive paper, oilstones, diamonds, etc.  

Solid Carbide

With normal use the solid carbide blade will keep its edge almost indefinitely without resharpening. Carbide imparts more rigidity to the blade that flexes only slightly in use. Carbide is also more rust resistant. The solid carbide blade can only be re-honed with fine diamond abrasives, should that be necessary.

Specs:

• 7/16" x 5 1/2" Liberty Wood™ handle in Rosewood, Indigo or Charcoal
• .029" x 5/16" x 1 7/16” 44° incl. sword point blade, 40° bevels
• 7/16" diameter X 11/16" satin finished bronze or stainless steel ferrule. 
• Overall length:  7 3/4"
• Tool Steel blade:  Rockwell 58-60
• Solid Carbide blade: Solid Tungsten Carbide

*The Czeck Edge by Benchcrafted Kadet Marking Knife was formerly known as the Kerf Kadet, Kerf Kadet II, and Super Kadet II.  We've simplified the name to "Kadet" for clarity.