Blank profile for first knife

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timbit

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Jul 21, 2011
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I'd like to make a small sheepsfoot blade for a first knife. The blade is 3 1/4 inches long, the handle slightly longer, I intend on doing a scandi grind on it. I'd like to keep all of the lines simple and smooth. Should I mirror the blade curve on the handle or keep it straight like this.

The blade will be between 0.125 and 0.2 inches thick at the spine, depending on what I can find. I like the idea of a shorter thicker knife that I can really abuse. Ideally, it will be out of 6065 or 01 steel. Scales will be Jatoba (Brazillian cherry)

sheepfootknife.jpg


Constructive feedback is always welcome, i'm here to learn. I've always liked sheepsfoot knives for general utility. I find myself slicing and shaving more than stabbing, so I don't really need a sharp point. They seem like one of the easier profiles to bust out for a beginner knife. The vertical line denotes the difference between blade and handle area.


Tim

Edit:
Drawing done in google sketchup, so modifications are dead simple to make.
 
I like the utilitarian super simple style, but your drawing scale is out of whack. If that knife was around 7 3/4" overall length, that sucker would be almost 2" tall.
 
What alb1k said, plus either grind a semi-circular "finger groove" behind the edge, or allow for a small guard. You're just asking for a cut finger, especially with such a short handle.
 
What they said. :D Do the old standby and cut one out of a cereal box and see how it feels in your hand. Wrap the handle in tape to build it up.
The top spine would be much more comfortable I believe with a radius from the tip to the heel. Curves are also naturally more pleasing to the eye. :thumbup:
 
It's nice to see someone choose a simple design for their first knife.
You have a much greater chance of success that way.

I agree with what James said- build in a guard like this
3/32" 15n20 steel @59-60 HRC. 2 1/2" blade, 6 1/8" OAL
zebrawharnie.jpg


I would stay 1/8" or less on that small blade, especially if you want to Scandi

I also agree with Fluidsteel too, make up cardboard cutouts and play with them for a day to refine your design.


We would be able to help you find supplies, but your profile doesn't even list what country you are in , let alone city.

Have you seen this ?

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/857869-Steel-Cutting-Question?p=9723085#post9723085
 
Last edited:
Keep the shape as is if you like it. Simple and utilitarian.

If you want to make it a lot nicer and easier to use,keep the sheepsfoot shape, but drop the blade a bit from the handle, add a bit of shape to the handle.....sort of like "The Count" showed . I would go .125" max. on the thickness.

The photo was scaled when you scanned it. That is why it is short and wide looking. Remember to unselect "Fit to frame" at the bottom of the scan/print pop-up.
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Changed the blade radius to begin at the handle, and added a choil for the fingers. The shape is more blocky than I would like around the choil and butt, but that is a function of cheap rendering on sketchup!

sheepfoot2.jpg


Any further suggestions would be very much appreciated. Also, I added my location.

White Rock, BC.
 
Looks good to me. I would say give it a go. No sense in spending too much time "tweaking" such a simple design. I'd make a cardboard mock-up so you see how it feels in hand and you can adjust mostly the size after that. I almost never get the size right on paper. In any case, the template is only a guide as the shape is changed a few times during the build. Well for me anyway.
Looking forward to your progress pics.
 
We could continue tweaking this forever. It doesn't have any glaring flaws or deficiencies. I think it's time to BUILD IT!

- Paul Meske
 
I just tried metalmart, and they don't have anything less than 1inch thick :( They don't have 0-1 or 6065, only 4041. Not a great selection of carbon steels!

Looking at KBC, they have 1/8" thick, 1 inch wide 18 inch long 0-1 toolsteel for $14. I should be able to get two blanks out of that. Do you guys think 1 inch is wide enough, or should I go for 1.5? The 1.5" wide is $23. Also, does that price sound about right?

Edit: would A1 be suitable for knives? Could I heat treat it at home?
 
A-1 is knife suitable, but no home heat treatable.


Rob is a good option for Canadian supplies and he does heat treating.

Width will depend on what your drawing sand models determined.
Most of mine are based on 1.250" and 1.500" stock.

1084 is cheaper and will suit a backyard home heat treat nicely
Shipping will increase the total cost and take some time to reach you.


Precision ground O1 is nice to work with,especially by hand.

KBC prices on O1 are within reason for what we pay here in Canada.
 
Looks good, get with one of the other Canadian suppliers and order some CPM-154. Most of the US guys ship above the border,too.
 
I really liked it when all I saw was the picture itself(first picture), but then I read you were talking about a 3 1/4" blade. If the blade was 3 1/4, the handle would've been like 6" by itself. I liked it when it was small looking. I'm not a big fan of sheepfoot blades, but one that's probably 4" total length would be pretty cool. Simple and effective. Definate utility knife.

But, you do what you want and what you feel. If it makes you happy, who cares what we think? Right? Nice idea. I like the first design. Wrap some paracord around the handle and it's done.
 
OpKey said:
I really liked it when all I saw was the picture itself(first picture), but then I read you were talking about a 3 1/4" blade. If the blade was 3 1/4, the handle would've been like 6" by itself. I liked it when it was small looking. I'm not a big fan of sheepfoot blades, but one that's probably 4" total length would be pretty cool. Simple and effective. Definate utility knife.
Click to expand...
Yah, I would like my first knife to be simple, but have pleasing lines.
cbr900son said:
I like the design in the second pic. I say go for it!
Click to expand...
Thanks!
12345678910 said:
Yes
These prices are by the inch
http://www.knifemaker.ca/home.php?cat=254
Click to expand...
Thanks!
james terrio said:
That second design is looking really good :thumbup:
Click to expand...
:D
bladsmth said:
Looks good, get with one of the other Canadian suppliers and order some CPM-154. Most of the US guys ship above the border,too.
Click to expand...
How does CPM-154 compare to 01 or 1084? Can I heat treat it at home?
12345678910 said:
A-1 is knife suitable, but no home heat treatable.


Rob is a good option for Canadian supplies and he does heat treating.

Width will depend on what your drawing sand models determined.
Most of mine are based on 1.250" and 1.500" stock.

1084 is cheaper and will suit a backyard home heat treat nicely
Shipping will increase the total cost and take some time to reach you.


Precision ground O1 is nice to work with,especially by hand.

KBC prices on O1 are within reason for what we pay here in Canada.
Click to expand...
Okay, thats a no go for me then for the a1. I think I am going to go with 0-1 because thats what I can find locally. I don't want to send away for materials until I have a bit more experience. Shipping on metal is expensive!!
 
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