Cut out a new design today, what do you think?

jonnymac44

jonnymac44

Joined
Sep 27, 2007
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I spent a couple hours drawing last night and came up with this. I cut this one out today and did some surface grinding on it. It feels pretty good in the hand so far. I really like smaller fixed blades for EDC and I'm liking this. It's about 6 inches overall, cut from .154" Elmax! I love the Kershaw folders that I have with the Elmax stainless and so when I saw that Tracy Mickley got some in stock I had to grab a bit and give something a try. We'll see how it turns out and if I have to make any design changes for the next one.

The first pic had bad lighting but I kept it for size reference with the ruler and silver dollar. The second pic I took outdoors and you get a better idea of the profile.

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Looks like a cool necker. I'd be curious to see how it is in the hand and what you change on future models.
 
Murdok72605 said:
Looks like a cool necker. I'd be curious to see how it is in the hand and what you change on future models.
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Heh, funny you say that. I always carry a folder but for several years now have been in the habit of also carrying a small fixed blade on my belt when at work. Many of the knives that I like to carry could technically be called "neckers" and a number of them are advertised that way(Kreins,Koster,BRKT Blackwater,etc.), but I like to carry them on the belt, even if I have to modify the sheath in some way. For some reason, I really like neckers but I hate to have anything hanging from my neck. I'm sure that as I progress you'll see lots of designs from me that would make great neck knives.......but that's not what I was thinking when I drew it up:D:D
 
I hate wearing things around my neck too. Seems a bit counter productive. I carry 3"-4" blades when possible and I always have a sak or some sort of folder. With these small designs one thing to consider is finger placement and comfort of said placement while in use. Reducing the swell after the first notch would allow more space for the digits, though the rear of the handle looks to allow some space to accomodate another digit. It all depends on the user's hands. Arcs tend to bunch fingers together while swells spread them apart. If a swell is too steep and short it may take more real estate away than it provides, though this may not be the case here. I have small-medium hands. I'd be interested in checking this out in person if you'd ever consider a knifemaker passaround.
 
Nice post, that all makes sense and is very helpful.:thumbup: I too have average sized hands, if not a bit smaller. Here in the early stages of my knifemaking experience I find myself making knives that I like and that I would carry and use. This little model fits in my hand comfortably, and the second notch seems to provide plenty of space for two fingers, making this a pretty comfy three finger blade. Of course, I'll have to get it finished and use it for a while to see if that's true or not, but so far it seems on target.

As far as a passaround, I would love to do one. There are tons of great makers here, and it would be great to have some of them spend a week or two using one of my designs so that I could get some feedback and learn a few things. Not a bad idea at all. More on that when I finish these up......:thumbup:

Murdok72605 said:
I hate wearing things around my neck too. Seems a bit counter productive. I carry 3"-4" blades when possible and I always have a sak or some sort of folder. With these small designs one thing to consider is finger placement and comfort of said placement while in use. Reducing the swell after the first notch would allow more space for the digits, though the rear of the handle looks to allow some space to accomodate another digit. It all depends on the user's hands. Arcs tend to bunch fingers together while swells spread them apart. If a swell is too steep and short it may take more real estate away than it provides, though this may not be the case here. I have small-medium hands. I'd be interested in checking this out in person if you'd ever consider a knifemaker passaround.
Click to expand...
 
I'm liking it however I'm not a fan of that ramp thingy on the top spine. That's just me.:D

Let me know if you need help with a sheath..proto?? I would suggest a lanyard hole so it can ride deep in a sheath, and lanyard will help in extracting it from the sheath.
 
The hump on the top seems a bit awkward looking to me too. I think I understand the idea behind it. With a fairly small handle it gives you a place to put your thumb on top however is seems it would be best applied to using it as a pulling motion. Without feeling it in the hand it's hard to really gauge but I think it takes a lot of the "flow" out of the knife. Then again I understand the need to want to make a knife for yourself that seems to fit your exact needs....One of the beauties about being a knife maker :D
 
I can see what you guys mean about the hump taking a bit of the flow away, but it really does make this little bugger feel comfy and secure when you hold it. I also wanted to experiment with shapes that were a bit outside of the box of conventional knife design. At this point it's all experimental and fun. I plan on finishing and using this one and I'll give feedback after that.

Thanks for all the input:thumbup:
 
Lookin pretty sweet. Handle looks similar to the one I just sent away for HT ;) The index finger swell like you've done feel really comfy if positioned right. Although I'm not a fan of the handles you dont get all your fingers on. I like knives on the smaller side too. It just seems easier to design a AOL 7 - 8 " because the handle and blade are fairly equal. I've tried drawing a bigger blade a couple of times and it just doesn't look right.:rolleyes:

Tim.
 
What is the purpose of the design? Utility? hunting? Survival? Camp? Last Ditch?

Having the top of the blade lower than the top of the handle may throw off the balance, or maybe not. Is there a reason for having a "dropped blade" (VS Dropped point?!?!?)?

The handle looks good, I just can't wrap my mind around the blade dropping lower. It seems the opposit of putting a thumb "bump" at the top of the blade to help apply force to the cutting edge. What is the benefit of the design?

It will be interesting to know how it feels/performs when it's complete. I wish you wild success!

- LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin
 
This design is intended for everyday utility cutting, which for me is generally in the workplace or home shop. As I stated before, I was simply trying to think outside the box on this. The knife hasn't been completed so I can't testify to it's performance completely just yet. It's totally experimental and I am having some fun using some different design elements than you normally see in an EDC blade. How many 7" OAL drop point EDC's do we see every day? I wanted to try something different. If I finish it and carry it and it performs like crap, I'll let you know, I promise:D

For now, I'm going to follow through on the project and see what happens. I do appreciate all of the input and really like to see discussion on design integrity, so I hope that nobody thinks I take any offense to their opinions. After all, unless it works out and I make more of them I'm the only person that has to suffer with a flawed design.

On a side note, aren't there at least a few custom makers out there who incorporate a "dropped blade" or "dropped spine" in their designs? I know I've seen a few over the years.

I'll keep you guys updated, as I'll probably be grinding this blade tomorrwo:thumbup:

Jonny
lonepine said:
What is the purpose of the design? Utility? hunting? Survival? Camp? Last Ditch?

Having the top of the blade lower than the top of the handle may throw off the balance, or maybe not. Is there a reason for having a "dropped blade" (VS Dropped point?!?!?)?

The handle looks good, I just can't wrap my mind around the blade dropping lower. It seems the opposit of putting a thumb "bump" at the top of the blade to help apply force to the cutting edge. What is the benefit of the design?

It will be interesting to know how it feels/performs when it's complete. I wish you wild success!

- LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin
Click to expand...
 
Nice, Jonny,

I like how your knives are unique and clearly your own. You also execute quite well for a new maker (like me- new). I'm still waiting for my first knives to come back from HT, I hope I can finish them as well as your last two.

E.
 
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alb1k said:
Nice, Jonny,

I like how your knives are unique and clearly your own. You also execute quite well for a new maker (like me- new). I'm still waiting for my first knives to come back from HT, I hope I can finish them as well as your last two.

E.
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat. Waiting for my first 3 to get back from HT. Very exciting.

Tim.
 
Well, I know that some didn't like this design, but I've made some progress and I'm still trying to decide what to do with it. It's still pre-heat treat, but I think it will end up something like this, with some thick black liners added to these natural colored G-10 handles. It's pretty comfy so far, and I'm having fun with it. Since I took these photos earlier today, I've added two more large holes between the pin holes and I thought for a second about leaving it naked, necker style. It looks pretty good with the extra two holes.

Model3WIP1.jpg


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Model3WIP3.jpg
 
Hey Jonny,

I say finish what you started. A necker seems like a compromise. Put those scales on.

Erik
 
Thanks guys,
I think I'll get those black liners cut out tomorrow and pin it up to see what it looks like. Now I really want to finish grinding my last two blades so I can get a big batch off to heat treat, get this one back and finish it up:thumbup:
 
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