B.U.S.K. Proto finished --

[Burchtree]

Been wanting to do a camp/combat/survival series for a bit and I've finally got the first one finished. I really didn't have time to do this, but once I started I couldn't stop. It is out of L-6 (made by Cinn. Tool Steel, same as Carpenters). I took me a bit to find the good L-6 in 1/4 stock, but it is worth it in my opinion. The idea is to have a blade that is easy to use when choking up, but also good for chopping -- thus the long handle. It has a 7-inch cutting edge and is about 13 1/2 inches overall. The balance point is right between the two guards so it isn't cumbersome to whittle with when choking up, but when you scoot back on the blade, you get a helluva chop out of the blade.

I posted this in the "Wilderness" area before it was finished with some testing pics and design questions. One thing that was brought up was eliminating the front choil and bringing it all the way back to the front guard so the blade doesn't catch on material when cutting. I've done some crappy sketches that are included that show what the next proto might look like if I decide to take out the choil (and one with a recurve version). Another revision is that will probably get done is adding a little more "beak" to the back end for a more secure butt section.

Anway, let me know what you think of this blade and future design changes. Like this one, the rest will be gun-koted and will either come with some "Treebark"-textured G-10 grips or hineri-maki wrap (like this one) with the choice of a personal dog-tag as a menuki.

Sorry for the poor pics, the Gun-kote is "flat OD" and seems to suck the light away. (that and I suck at taking pics. )

 

[Burchtree]

And some more --

 

[Robert Hankins]

IMO definetly leave out the choil in favor of the top drawing...

 

[billf]

Looks nice, but I agree with toning down the big choil - you need a small one or it will be hard to sharpen with the guard.
Is it easy to order from Cin tool steel - the only "L6" I've tried is Admiral's, and I've heard it's not really L6. If there's not some huge minimum, maybe it's worth trying Cincinatti's L6

Bill

 

[jhiggins]

I really like it, Michael. I think you are on to something here. :thumbup:

 

[Burchtree]

Thanks fellows -- it wasn't hard to get the steel, just hard to track down in the 1/4-inch stock. The company I found it from is Diehl Steel -- if you want I can PM you some the contact info.

 

[ddavelarsen]

Michael I really like that. I particularly like the way the edge is forward and down from the handle, that feels unusual and I think is a very big and valuable innovation. It's subtle but looks like it would make a huge difference in using the knife, particularly for chopping. Things like that impress the heck out of me, well done.

And I'm going to be the odd man out again, this time on the choil. I like a choil on a big working knife and in fact my reaction to this one was that it could be slightly larger. One alteration might be to ease the corner just a bit where the choil gives to the blade. But I personally would prefer to have it on there.

How did you cut the notches in the thumb ramp? They look very even and well done. That's a fine knife Michael, I think you're onto something good.

 

[Burchtree]

Thanks Mr. Larson -- now you've just got me even more indecisive about the choil. The thumb ramp was done slowly, and I could only do one or two cuts at a time with the checkering file until it flattened out some.

Thanks for the "well done," that means a lot to me with this project. :thumbup:

 

[Will52100]

I like the area infront of the gaurd to choke up on, but I don't care for the deep choil. Perhaps a flat or slightly rounded out choil would work better?

In all a cool design and well exicuted, me like.

 

[Colin Jason]

You guys have got to hold this one in your hand before deciding on that choil. I had the fortunate pleasure of fondling this last weekend, and I'm now twisting Michael's arm to deliver one to me!

The knife feels most excellent in the hand. Very light and well balanced. When you slide back on the handle, you really do get that favorable 'chopping' feel. Yet, when you choke right up on it, using that big choil, it just locks right into your palm. I honestly don't think the knife would feel the same way without it. I love being able to have that degree of control on a knife that could ostensibly be used for many purposes.

Take it from someone who has gotten to handle it; You want one of these.

 

[Burchtree]

Thanks, but I'm on to your ploy -- you're just trying to sweeten me up.

But, you were there for the 4-foot tip-down floor drop on concrete and still want it, so I guess that's a good thing.

 

[JohnPatrick]

Intriguing! Really interesting, I like it alot. Can the top guard be left off, or not? How does it figure in to the handling equation? (Am open minded but I tend to favor scandis for bushcraft, and I'm not much for guards. But that's just me...)
:>)

 

[Colin Jason]

Thanks, but I'm on to your ploy -- you're just trying to sweeten me up.

But, you were there for the 4-foot tip-down floor drop on concrete and still want it, so I guess that's a good thing.

Crap! I totally forgot about the concrete drop too!

*laughs*

Yea, I guess if I still want it after you did that to it, that says something, no?

...and no it's not that I'm crazy...


However, that was most impressive...although not great for your shop floor!

 

[Burchtree]

Intriguing! Really interesting, I like it alot. Can the top guard be left off, or not? How does it figure in to the handling equation? (Am open minded but I tend to favor scandis for bushcraft, and I'm not much for guards. But that's just me...)
:>)

Thanks -- the offset guards offer a lot of control. Can they be left off? Nothing a chopsaw couldn't take care of.

 

[Burchtree]

I had some reponses here and there concerning the front choil, so I thought it warrented a proto version. The handle is a bit more curved and has a larger back end for comfort. I'll have to do some chopping after grind and H/T to see if it creates a hotspot. The balance point is set so you can comfortably do close work with choking up as it is, so the added front choil is mainly aesthetics. Any thoughts? Leave it, or go with the extra choil?

 

[B . Buxton]

I like them both Michael, But I do like the dropped handle more on big knives. I would also add a shallow choil in front of that guard, possibly 7/8" long and 1/8" or so deep, you can tell more by grinding and holding it to decide how deep to take it. Just enough to allow for choking up with good finger protection. But hey thats just me, Nice job.

Bill

 

[ddavelarsen]

Yeah, I'm with Bill, a bit of a choil in front of the guard - not deep, but long enough for big hands. And I also approve of the larger, fuller handle. This is a good knife Michael. I know you've hollow ground the first one, what would this be like with a deep flat grind? I'm thinking take it all the way to the spine. Just an idea. I like this sucker regardless.

 

[Burchtree]

thanks for the kind words everyone. I'm still in debates about the front choil, it does add a little more distinctive look, and a small one like Bill said might set it off just right. And if I did that, I could do a full-flat grind and it come to right in front of the top guard. hmmmm......

 

[Will52100]

If I were to have you make it for me personaly, I'd got with a shallow choil, mainly to keep it from hanging up on through cuts, and I'd got with a full flat grind with convex edge. Other than that I'd leave it alone. I realy like the dropped handle and blade shape.