A trio of "Banana Knife" prototypes

[misque]

I made up these three prototypes this past weekend. I wanted to design a blade that one could use for utility/self protection and this style is what happened when my imagination, pencil and paper got together. Hope you like them.

A little info:

Each blade is triple edge quenched 1084 with a triple temper.

Scales from the top are Zericote, Cocobolo and Tan Canvas Micarta.

The Zericote and Cocobolo models are from 3/16" stock and the Micarta model is 1/8" stock.

Only the Zericote model has been etched(so far).

The Cocobolo scaled model has a 4 1/4" long blade while the other two are 3 7/8" long in the blade.

Thanks for looking!


All the best,
Mike U.

BTW,
Which integral guard style do you like the best?

Thanks again!

 

[misque]

Here is a close up of the hardening line on the Zericote model. Please pardon the dust on the blade.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

I prefer the blade shape on the Zericote model and the guard on the Micarta one.

 

[Mongo]

I like the cocobolo handle and blade shape the best, but prefer the guard on the micarta model. Nice work by the way.

 

[Jason Cutter]

Mike those look like some real workers. I've always been a fan of the drop in the handle-blade orientation - very natural ergonomic feel. All 3 are great. I think a triple quench on 1084 is overkill but triple tempering works for me. In any case you've done the "proof" thing and etched up a temper line and it looks a good HT job.

The only things I'd add are a lanyard hole in the butt +/- and actual lanyard. The thing I've found with some of these patterns is that because of that nice handle shape (would also be great reverse gripped) is that the taper at the end doesn't give a great hold when trying to do a fast draw from most sheaths. Add sweat / moisture and it all gets really slippery. On that point drilled holes through-and-through the handle / slabs reduces weight and gives even more purchase.

But hey, thats just icing to me. Good job you've done there.

Have you done sheaths yet ? Jason.

 

[misque]

Jason,
The triple edge quench on the 1084 is an experiment. I'm wondering if there really is a performance difference between single edge quench and triple EQ with 1084. Gotta try it myself or I'll end up wasting time wondering if there is (and pondering and wondering and...ad infinitum). I just bought 50' of 1/2" sisal rope today and the testing starts tommorrow afternoon when I get home from work.

I haven't done up sheaths for them yet. I'm still considering what the most efficient method of sheathing them will be. Cross draw? Straight up and down pouch type? Forward canted pouch? It's an honest-to-goodness brain burner trying to figure how to sheath these buggers right. That'll get done this week(fingers crossed, hoping I can find time).

I was mulling over adding lanyard holes and I think I will now. There's plenty of space on the back for a lanyard hole and I doubt if it would interfere much in the event that the back end had to be used as an emergency hammer or to dent an aggressor's head pan.
These knives seem to need a lot more tweeking than other knives for some reason. I'm really wanting to do this design right because I have a good feeling about it.


Thanks for the great input guys!

All the best,
Mike U.

 

[Jason Cutter]

There's nothing like a bit of ole experimentation, and testing to sort out an issue thats bugging you. If you can spare the time and effort ... you'll be all the happier and more confident. None of that ... "I wonder if ... ?" I KNOW MY KNIFE CAN ... (fill in the blanks).

For an effective "head pounder" in testring I found I needed to factor in an extra 1/2inch on the end so that the handle slabs are still long enough to be comfy. Sheaths I make for myself are the simplest possible. I know a lot of guys like Kydex this or that, Xdraw, hiride etc. But for me if I can I use a medium-to-high ride plain old belt pouch design. "Cos thats what I usually use, so in a pinch I know where everything is and how it works. The old brain tends to go fuzzy in a crisis.

I've been down the path you're talking about and frankly, its a lot of fun. Keep up the good work. And let us know if the testing turns up any surprises. Cheers. Jason.

 

[ExamonLyf]

They all actualy look nicely done to me.., although I also prefer the Cocobolo model (for no good reason). Nice work!


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"