Kadet Marking Knife

The Kadet marking knife excels at marking out the detail that fine joinery demands. Pins for dovetails can be defined from tails barely wider than the kerf created by most dovetail hand saws. The .029” thick sword point blade makes this task accurate, easy and routine. Overall, the 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 light to medium-duty marking, being pencil-like in the grip area. The contour of the Bolivian rosewood 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.

The machined bronze 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 the Kadet II series Marking Knife.

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:

•  1/2" x 5 1/2" Bolivian Rosewood (Morado) handle
  
•  .029" x 5/16" x 1 7/16” 44° incl. sword point blade, 40° bevels
  
•  7/16" diameter X 11/16" satin finished bronze ferrule. 
  
• Overall length:  7 3/4"
  
• Tool Steel blade:  Rockwell 58-60
  
• Solid Carbide blade: Solid Tungsten Carbide
  

*The Kadet Marking Knife was formerly known as the Kerf Kadet, Kerf Kadet II and Super Kadet II. We've simplified the name to "Kadet" with the same two blade options as before.