3.4" A2 "Hiker" in G10

[daizee]

Here's the first full size version of what I'm calling my Hiker model.

Specs:
1/8" A2
3.4" blade, tip to handle
7.5" OAL
Black/Blue G10 with 3/16" brass pins

This is probably my most sophisticated knife so far. There are some variations compared to earlier ones (as with the little version posted a couple weeks ago). The underside of the handle is extended to the actual edge, and the spine has an interesting subtle extra curve to it. The handles are sanded to 360, and the blade a good bit more than that. The knife has a slight ring to it - I wonder how it would sound if it were longer. Hmmm....

With this design I didn't confine myself to my 3" blade carry limit at this scale, as the original concept was as a paring knife (that's still forthcoming...). And now I finally no longer crave a Bark River Fox River. Heh. Just a little influence.

Apologies for the low-light effects. There's just barely enough light at that bench for pictures, and of course I always finish these things late at night.

Thanks for looking.

-Daizee

and two after the edge:

 

[rkmoore]

Nice little edc. I like the g10 but hope you would consider a 4.5" - 5" blade length. I usually prefer a centered balance point.

 

[BMK]

Very nice, clean lines. I like the blue and black G10.

 

[daizee]

Hi rkmoore, what would you use a knife that long for? I'm sure I'd love to play with such a knife, but I find that ~3.5" is pretty much the upper limit for practical utility as an EDC for me (and 3" is the legal carry limit in my state anyway...).
I'm not criticizing, just curious.

-Daizee

 

[BMK]

There is not much you can't do with a good 3" blade. Some guys can do more with a 3" blade than others can do with an entire knife collection.

Hi rkmoore, what would you use a knife that long for? I'm sure I'd love to play with such a knife, but I find that ~3.5" is pretty much the upper limit for practical utility as an EDC for me (and 3" is the legal carry limit in my state anyway...).
I'm not criticizing, just curious.

-Daizee

 

[daizee]

Some guys can do more with a 3" blade

I'm sure that's true, BMK. Hopefully some day one of them will instruct me! :-D

-Daizee

 

[montesa]

That knife has great proportions. I think it would look really good with some sort of finish, maybe a forced patina or something like that and some natural looking scales. I think a more natural look would suit it well. Looks great.

 

[daizee]

Thanks... I *almost* put some two-tone mahogany scales on it, but had envisioned it with this stuff from the start. There will be more.

 

[clich]

Thanks... I *almost* put some two-tone mahogany scales on it, but had envisioned it with this stuff from the start. There will be more.

Yeh im not a g10 fan. Micarta or wood for me. But I like it nonetheless. Very well done

 

[DerekH]

That came out very nice looking Daizee. Fantastic work. I love the look of the G10 on there, and the whole knife has a nice looking curve to it and some real clean lines. Good job! :thumbup:

 

[daizee]

Thanks, fellas, I appreciate it.
I think this model has a future. In fact, a rough-cut 115% version is already waiting... That might get the natural wood if it turns out ok. My selection is limited, but there is a bit more maple left and that mahogany.

 

[Minibear464]

How thick are you scales?

 

[daizee]

How thick are you scales?

The original scales were 1/4" before shaping. They're still nearly that thick at the bulges.
Overall, the widest part of the knife is 0.6", side-to-side.

It took 3 tries to get the sheath right because the retention features aren't as pronounced as on other models. I needed to add heat and optimize the position of the assembly in the press. Now it's good to go. Fortunately I didn't cut or drill the kydex until it was right. It's really great how you can re-form the stuff repeatedly with no obvious problems (unless you overheat it the first time....).

-Daizee

 

[Battle Creek Knives]

love that design, its right up my alley.. blk/blu g10 and all..

good job..

 

[daizee]

One more picture in the morning light...
This one paired with my 3" hunting knife, from which this was spawned:

-Daizee

 

[Horsewright]

Nice knife! I think I like the proportions of this one a little better than your 3 incher. Seems to flow better to my eye anyway. While I really like natural handle materials that blue and black G10 really rocks this blade. Ya almost converted me.

 

[Calvin Richardson]

Really like the scales. Proportions are excellent. Love the handle shape too.

 

[marthinus]

Wow that looks great!

 

[daizee]

Thanks, guys.
The 3" is limited by local legalities.
The Hiker model is free of that restriction, though I can't carry it for that reason!! I'm planning a scaled down version that's 3", same proportions.

-Daizee