Recommendation? Center of gravity on an outdoor knife

MP Morgan · Mar 19, 2019

Hi. I am making my first knife, an although I know it won't be perfect, I still want to make it as good as possible. I will probably be milling it this weekend.

I am a toolmaker, and work with product development, so I have been working with steel for 20+ years, but knifemaking is new to me.

Where do you prefer to balance the knife? I got the balancepoint marked on the picture, which I for some reason can't embed the right way here. Link below.

I am wondering if I should remove some material from the tang, to lighten it a bit, and move the center of gravity a bit forward. Looking to make wooden scales, so not much weight added there.
https://imgur.com/XLOefIs
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNJKfZSAyxmADw-AQN_anToohUOVXML_CtqQQ2z

Danke42 · Mar 19, 2019

I like blade heavy.

Your link isn't working. Try uploading the picture to Imgur.

MP Morgan · Mar 19, 2019

https://imgur.com/XLOefIs

MP Morgan · Mar 19, 2019

Danke42 said:
I like blade heavy.

Your link isn't working. Try uploading the picture to Imgur.

Just tried again. Is it working? https://imgur.com/XLOefIs

Ten_Mile_Knives · Mar 19, 2019

For detailed work I prefer handle heavy, for chopping or slashing cuts blade heavy is better.

MP Morgan · Mar 19, 2019

Ten_Mile_Knives said:
For detailed work I prefer handle heavy, for chopping or slashing cuts blade heavy is better.

That makes sense. I guess I will make it as it is, and get a feel before getting it hardened. It's Vanadis 4E, so I want to put an effort into it.

Sergeua · Mar 19, 2019

If you can balance it on your point finger or point and middle finger close together after it's all finished, then I think I'd be ideal for this knife.
It's not blade heavy as to want to vacate your hand and not too handle heavy. Just right

MP Morgan · Mar 19, 2019

Sergeua said:
If you can balance it on your point finger or point and middle finger close together after it's all finished, then I think I'd be ideal for this knife.
It's not blade heavy as to want to vacate your hand and not too handle heavy. Just right

Thanks, I'll go for that. Then we'll see how it works, and how the rest of the knife turns out. I am fairly confident, in regards of the metal work, but details, scales and sheath it all new.