A couple of pocket fixed blades. Input wanted

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Adam Reese

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Hi everyone,

I posted these earlier in the sales forum, but I wanted to post them here to get some feedback. How many of you would carry something like this? I like carrying one, but do other people? I've only done about 5 of these total, and I'm trying to decide whether or not to make more. Also, what do you think of them in general, size wise?

I am not soliciting sales with this thread, I just want input. Hopefully none of this is out of line.

Specs:
Aldo's 1084, one with padauk over black paper micarta, the other cocobolo over black paper micarta. Stainless pins and tubing. The sheaths are hand stitched 8 oz veg tanned leather.

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Comments and criticism welcome

Thanks,
Adam
 
I think they look great. The sheaths are nice too. Clean work on those. Maybe u could make more in a couple different blade shapes and see wich sells the best.
 
Thanks guys,

Bomp, I was thinking the same thing about the different blade shapes. I have a drop point one and a nessmunk one in the works now. I did these two wharnies because a repeat customer wanted them for his two son in laws for Christmas. He ended up wanting full size knives for them, so I decided to sell these.

Adam
 
Adam...

Very nice leather work and the length and shape of the knife lend itself to an everyday carry...........BUT....my preference is not to see the makers mark so front and center in your face..that alone is a turn off......
 
Adam- Those look super handy! Very nice work on them as well. :thumbup:

I have had a lot of success (it seems like it to me anyway) selling this type of knife. Most of the ones I have sold don't have handle scales, which isn't me being lazy, it's to keep them very thin.

Your sheaths look great too.

You might consider grinding them even thinner, since knives like this are almost exclusively slicing tools. Just throwing it out there.

I think you'll do well with these. :)
 
Hi Adam,

Thanks for posting. These look highly useful from where I sit. I use a smalll fixed blade almost every day at my boatyard, and this is about the size that works for me.

It's a little big.... LOL! Here's the rig I carry and use:

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As Nick mentioned, a thin blade is VERY useful.

I'd probably wish for a belt loop. I'd also mention the lanyard hole looks sharp. That wouldn't take much to solve and adds a quality touch.

Good luck on these.

Jim
 
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Jim, Nick, Coop, thanks for the compliments.

Jim, I am looking into getting some smaller stencils so I can start marking the knives other places like the spine, etc.

Nick, I will grind the next batch thinner, I was just worried about what type of use these may see.

Coop, I actually debated a belt loop on the sheaths and I think I will add it on the next ones. I may do some with, some without. It will still be a relatively thin sheath, if someone still wishes to carry it in their pocket. I am also glad you pointed out the lanyard hole. I hadn't noticed it, but I will fix it before these sell.

-Adam
 
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I think you're on the right track too.

I'll second (or third :) )what Nick and Coop said, make those things wicked thin. And remind folks that a knife is for cutting and slicing, really. There are much better tools for other jobs.

As far as a wharncliffe blade, I hate it looks wise but I think it's about the most useful blade shape out there for everyday stuff and a lot of folks realize that and use them.

Craftsmanship on knives and sheath looks pretty good.
 
Looks good. For pocket sheath knives, I agree with Nick, thin is good. Both blade and handles. Your contoured handles are great for a belt knife, but for me flat and thin is the best for the pocket.

In addition, I like a clip to the sheath to hold the sheath in the pocket for when the knife is removed. Put lanyards on the knife, it helps to get it out of the pocket sheath.

Don Cowles makes a pocket style sheaths with rare earth magnets for blade retention that work great. I have one and stole his idea. For pocket sheath knives, I make a sheath with a rare earth magnet, but it's flat or pancake not pouch. You really don't need the magnet, but it offers extra security. However I like a sheath that fits the knife exactly to shape with no extra leather to make the smallest possible package. A curved blade/sheath actually fits well against the inner seam of the pocket and no corners makes it more comfortable. With a rare earth magnet, you can make the sheath a little looser for easier removal but the magnet holds it in.
 
I'll just echo what Nick, Coop, and John said, and grind them thin. Depending on blade length and other factors, I don't think you'd go wrong with the same thickness (or a whisker more) as your average main blade on a slip joint. Or depending on other factors, make a run of thin ones and see how they work. I'd also like to see some curve in the sheath. If you look at the construction of pockets in jeans, there's a sweet spot in terms of sheath width and curve that helps them stand up straight. Alternatively, the pocket clip is a viable option.

All that said, I think you're headed in a really great direction, and I'm looking forward to seeing where you go.
 
Thanks for all of the input everyone. I will incorporate a lot of these things in version two, which is already in the works...:)

-Adam
 
Yes, thins in. Very functional little utilitarian design. No doubt that these will get a lot of use from their owners. :thumbup:
I like a lanyard as well for these style knives.
Your maker's mark is too bold, IMO a mark should be subtle not the first thing that catches the eye at a glance.
 
That's great looking work. As for the question, I would certainly carry one or put it into my rotation :)
I rotate between small fixed blades and always carry one, sometimes 2. I have a blackjack 155 neck knife in a KSF city sheath that goes everywhere with me. Often I will swap between my izula, izula ii, bk11, bk14, or my PML knives witchs finger (really like that one), on my belt or slipped into a pocket.

These that you're offering look great. I'd happily add one to my rotation, as I'm sure many of us who carry small fixed blades would.
C
 
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