Customer Designed and Supervised

Robert Dark · Jan 16, 2009

I had a customer sit down with me and discuss making him a knife. He sketched out on paper what he wanted and we went from there.

He designed the blade and wanted a user grade finish (scotchbrite). He was there with me through the entire process.

Once it was time to grind the handle, I would grind a little and hand it to the customer. He would suggest a tweak here and there. We tweaked until it felt just right to him.

Then he designed a sheath style that I was not accustomed to. We worked through it together until he had what he wanted.

He was even with me when we made this photo.

Anyway, here is the end result. I think he was a happy camper.

Thanks for looking..............Robert

Edited to add - (I have recently read on another thread that someone doesn't like the term "Thanks for looking", and someone else didn't like the "..........." . Therefore, I will simply say, "Thanks for looking..............")

Will Leavitt · Jan 16, 2009

He wanted a straight handle like that instead of the nice curvy things that you do? Sheath looks great, knife is awesome of course but that handle looks kind of odd.

How was it having a customer hanging about like that? It'd drive me crazy.

:thumbup:

Keith Montgomery · Jan 17, 2009

A buddy of mine that is an electronics technician has a sign up in his shop.

Labor rates:

$60.00 hr.

If you want to watch - $90.00 hr.

If you want to help - $120.00 hr.

VCM3 · Jan 17, 2009

Will Leavitt said:
He wanted a straight handle like that instead of the nice curvy things that you do? Sheath looks great, knife is awesome of course but that handle looks kind of odd.

How was it having a customer hanging about like that? It'd drive me crazy.

:thumbup:

Will,you'd be surpised as to how comfortable & good feeling a straight up,larger in size handle can be,in a hard work with a knife siutuation.
I'd bet it fells pretty good. Nice knife,
-Vince

blgoode · Jan 17, 2009

looks great to me!! Funny how his vision can influence yours. Watch....in time you will design around this pattern again

Robert Dark · Jan 17, 2009

Will Leavitt said:
He wanted a straight handle like that instead of the nice curvy things that you do? Sheath looks great, knife is awesome of course but that handle looks kind of odd.

How was it having a customer hanging about like that? It'd drive me crazy.

:thumbup:

I had my doubts about the handle design when I first started. Not only is it almost straight, but it is longer than I normally make. After we got the handle on and tweaked, I must admit that it felt pretty darned good in the hand. No matter how you held it, there were no odd feeling bumps and curves. It just "fit".

This guy is a good customer and a great guy. He has an interest in making and wants to try his hand at it soon. He is the kind of guy you don't mind having around and sharing what little knowledge I have.

Maybe he will show up here and give his thoughts on the design.

Robert

teacher · Jan 19, 2009

My computer crashed and this has been my first chance to get online for a few days.

First off I'd like to thank Robert for being so gracious as to build this exactly how I drew it and also to let me watch the whole process from start to finish.

As this was to be strictly a user I convinced Robert a Scotchbrite finish was more than adequate.

Design is pretty simple. It is just based on what feels good to me...

Blade is 4" from tip to back of grind.
Micarta is 4 3/4" with a slight belly that is hard to see in the picture.
Front of Micarta to back of grind is about 1/2".
OAL is 9 1/4".

Sheath is a simple design with a long loop. No High rider styles for me.

The handle may look kinda goofy to some people..

...
But, it is comfortable when gripped in pretty much any way and held in any position.. longer than normal , no hot spots, secure and fills the hand... which is what I wanted.

Of course the fit and finish on this knife is just like any other Robert does.. 110% ... :thumbup:

Thank you again Robert for the opportunity to see this done from start to finish. It was a true learning experience.... :thumbup:

I can't wait to give making one a try in a couple of weeks, when I get back from the coast. We'll see if I retained any of that learning.

Talk with you soon Robert...

silver_pilate · Jan 20, 2009

I prefer a little belly in my handles, but I bet that knife is a great user to hold. One of my favorite in-hand-feel knives was a Lum tanto that Spyderco produced a while back. It's handle is nearly straight, but it felt GREAT in hand. Too bad some punk broke into my duplex and lifted about $1500 in knives as well as my Walther PPKS and Para Ordinance P12-45 3 or 4 years back. I still have the sheath

.

--nathan

Barkes Knife Shop · Jan 20, 2009

Keith Montgomery said:
A buddy of mine that is an electronics technician has a sign up in his shop.

Labor rates:

$60.00 hr.

If you want to watch - $90.00 hr.

If you want to help - $120.00 hr.

I need a sign like that in my shop. And today would been a good day for one.

Will Leavitt · Jan 20, 2009

Ahhhh so it was YOU.....

Lots of Japanese style knives have straight handles, I know they are comfortable, I was just kind of surprised to see Robert kick out a handle like that.

I always invite customers to try making knives with me. Usually after 10 minutes of hammering they're more than welcome to pay for me to swing the hammer.

Can't wait to see what you make under the watchful eye of Robert, should be a beauty. :thumbup:

Robert Dark · Jan 20, 2009

Hey Will,

Chuck was like a sponge. He was soaking up every move I made. There is no doubt that he can do it, he just needs to jump in feet first and give it a go. He has some great ideas about certain things.

His visits with me are certainly welcomed. Our discussions have given me reason to re-think the way I do certain things.

I predict that in a few months, you will see him upgrade to "Knifemaker" status here on the forum.

Robert

teacher · Jan 21, 2009

Will Leavitt said:
Ahhhh so it was YOU.....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Can't wait to see what you make under the watchful eye of Robert, should be a beauty. :thumbup:

Yep, it was me........ :thumbup:

I can't wait to give it a try & see how it turns out also Will....... :thumbup:

Robert Dark said:
Hey Will,

Chuck was like a sponge. He was soaking up every move I made. There is no doubt that he can do it, he just needs to jump in feet first and give it a go. He has some great ideas about certain things.

His visits with me are certainly welcomed. Our discussions have given me reason to re-think the way I do certain things.

I predict that in a few months, you will see him upgrade to "Knifemaker" status here on the forum.

Robert

Thanks for the kind words Robert and thanks again for being so willing to share what you know.

Even thus far it has been a great learning experience for me as well as a great opportunity to learn. I realize we have just "scratched the surface" and I am looking forward to more.

Also looking forward to putting the "learning" to hand on practical experience, to see if I can actually 'do' what I have "learned" so far... cause that is where the 'rubber will meet the road'.... so to speak.

"Learning" is great.... but, transforming that learning into a fine knife is what it is all about.
I 'think' I can do it.
It will be most interesting however, to see if I think correctly.

Looking forward to giving that first one a go soon and seeing how it pans out.... :thumbup:

Talk to you soon.....