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Damascarbotanium-----Chris Moss WiP
- Thread starter Lorien
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2006
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- 1,073
Hey,
First off, I wanted to say, I really appreciate constructive criticism. Without it i would have showed no improvement over my time making knives. However, i think some of this discussion boils down to personal opinion, which is perfectly fine. However, i think Lorien should get some slack. I did the major design work on this knife, which was honestly constrained by the material i had. Part of the reason the blade is so thin and flexible is because i wanted to get the blade as wide as i could.. and i didn't get it to where i wanted it.
when i started making this knife.. this is what i wanted:
However... that wasn't doable with the Damascus stock i had made. So.. the design evolved, and that is when Lorien stepped in and took the knife in a new direction, however, his direction other than the S-guard was almost entirety materials and finish preference. SO if there is anything "wrong" with the knife then it is on my shoulder not his.
Okay... enough of that. I did want to answer a couple questions that jumped out at me.. and i am going to go over the posts again to make sure i didnt miss anything.
1. Balance point. I may need to change my process, but i rarely take this into consideration in any quantifiable way. I hold the knife in my hand. i choose my sizes and materials. the thing that everyone has said when picking up the knife is "its much lighter than i thought!" i need to measure it out specifically but that balance point is most likely very close to the front edge of that guard. there is some heft in your hand, but the blade is very light and agile feeling.
2. Handle length. Pictures can be deceiving. i personally would have made the handle tad bit shorter. it is actually quite long. long enough that you can choke up on the handle or slide you hand back onto the swell to change the balance and heft of the knife. i would agree on the girth of the blade, i meant to make it wider. but just couldn't squeeze it out of the stock i had. I have no power equipment, so my personal Damascus supply is small, and i have to work with what i have.
@ the virginian. Just because you haven't made a knife doesn't mean you are not qualified to critique them, but they are sometimes very hard to critique over the internet. i would love to put this knife in your hands and change your mind, but even as it stands i really do appreciate your input.
thanks!
~Chris
First off, I wanted to say, I really appreciate constructive criticism. Without it i would have showed no improvement over my time making knives. However, i think some of this discussion boils down to personal opinion, which is perfectly fine. However, i think Lorien should get some slack. I did the major design work on this knife, which was honestly constrained by the material i had. Part of the reason the blade is so thin and flexible is because i wanted to get the blade as wide as i could.. and i didn't get it to where i wanted it.
when i started making this knife.. this is what i wanted:
However... that wasn't doable with the Damascus stock i had made. So.. the design evolved, and that is when Lorien stepped in and took the knife in a new direction, however, his direction other than the S-guard was almost entirety materials and finish preference. SO if there is anything "wrong" with the knife then it is on my shoulder not his.
Okay... enough of that. I did want to answer a couple questions that jumped out at me.. and i am going to go over the posts again to make sure i didnt miss anything.
1. Balance point. I may need to change my process, but i rarely take this into consideration in any quantifiable way. I hold the knife in my hand. i choose my sizes and materials. the thing that everyone has said when picking up the knife is "its much lighter than i thought!" i need to measure it out specifically but that balance point is most likely very close to the front edge of that guard. there is some heft in your hand, but the blade is very light and agile feeling.
2. Handle length. Pictures can be deceiving. i personally would have made the handle tad bit shorter. it is actually quite long. long enough that you can choke up on the handle or slide you hand back onto the swell to change the balance and heft of the knife. i would agree on the girth of the blade, i meant to make it wider. but just couldn't squeeze it out of the stock i had. I have no power equipment, so my personal Damascus supply is small, and i have to work with what i have.
@ the virginian. Just because you haven't made a knife doesn't mean you are not qualified to critique them, but they are sometimes very hard to critique over the internet. i would love to put this knife in your hands and change your mind, but even as it stands i really do appreciate your input.
thanks!
~Chris
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2006
- Messages
- 1,073
Okay... now for a happy post.
First off, the only thing i have missing in the specs is the balance point. which is very important. i will post that as soon as i can get the knife in my hands again.
OAL:17"
Blade: 10.25" blade 1.5" wide and 0.16" thick 150 layers of 1084 W2 and 15n20
Handle: Custom uni-directional carbon fiber
Fittings: Anodized Titanium, and damascus steel
I finished assembling and stitching the sheath.
I also refinished the blade. i got it smoother and am much happier with it. I also coated the blade with museum wax to prevent corrosion.
and i think the sheath and knife go together pretty well.
And now... my first YouTube video is fitting to be used for the first take down, first Ti fittings, first carbon fiber handle knife, first real sheath i have ever made.
http://youtu.be/Fz_Qn4TZLXA
thanks so much for looking
~Chris
First off, the only thing i have missing in the specs is the balance point. which is very important. i will post that as soon as i can get the knife in my hands again.
OAL:17"
Blade: 10.25" blade 1.5" wide and 0.16" thick 150 layers of 1084 W2 and 15n20
Handle: Custom uni-directional carbon fiber
Fittings: Anodized Titanium, and damascus steel
I finished assembling and stitching the sheath.
I also refinished the blade. i got it smoother and am much happier with it. I also coated the blade with museum wax to prevent corrosion.
and i think the sheath and knife go together pretty well.
And now... my first YouTube video is fitting to be used for the first take down, first Ti fittings, first carbon fiber handle knife, first real sheath i have ever made.
http://youtu.be/Fz_Qn4TZLXA
thanks so much for looking
~Chris
Last edited:
The Amazing Virginian
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2010
- Messages
- 9,881
Here is the picture I was looking at when I made my comment.
It looks to me that if the handle in that picture is 4 units long (e.g., inches), then the blade is 10.75 units long and 1.75 units wide at its widest point. Maybe that is just a bad perspective, and like I said I would have to hold the knife in my hand to say for sure.
EDIT - now that I see the actual dimensions (which were posted while I was making this post the first time around), these are not what I perceived from the photo. So it looks like the handle length is fine for me. So I retract my earlier comment.
Last edited:
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- Jan 21, 2000
- Messages
- 8,888
Those dimensions help a lot. To me, the blade is a fairly simple drop-point design with a raised clip, adding chopping weight/momentum at the tip. In a knife only .16" thick, I would think that extra momentum in a 10-inch blade would be welcome. I like the fact that it does not have a recurve edge.
In terms of guards on choppers, this guard is a little reminiscent of D-guard machetes, which I've found useful working on thorn brush. I like the open rear of this (quite long) handle behind the guard more than a D-guard, as it's unrestricted for full-power swings gripping the end of the handle. Depending on the weight of the knife and the balance point, that looks very promising. The sheath materials make sense given the handle materials, although the way the knife turned out the handle doesn't look like carbon fiber and titanium at least at first glance--has a much more traditional look to me. The sheath certainly looks well-built. Can't believe how much that handle looks like buffalo horn, at least in the photos.
In terms of guards on choppers, this guard is a little reminiscent of D-guard machetes, which I've found useful working on thorn brush. I like the open rear of this (quite long) handle behind the guard more than a D-guard, as it's unrestricted for full-power swings gripping the end of the handle. Depending on the weight of the knife and the balance point, that looks very promising. The sheath materials make sense given the handle materials, although the way the knife turned out the handle doesn't look like carbon fiber and titanium at least at first glance--has a much more traditional look to me. The sheath certainly looks well-built. Can't believe how much that handle looks like buffalo horn, at least in the photos.
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2006
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- 1,073
Will and Roger,
did the video link work? it shows off the handle a little better. you just have to ignore the annoying sounding guy droning on in the background
did the video link work? it shows off the handle a little better. you just have to ignore the annoying sounding guy droning on in the background
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2011
- Messages
- 924
Being a knifemaker myself(and no where near Chris in skill), and this not being a kiss-ass moment as I know no one involved in this thread personally...I think the knife and sheath are outstanding.
The craftmanship for sure, and I love the design, the design "FLOWS". The F&F are flawless IMO, the ratios look fine to me.
Gauging the length/s and thickness, I believe the balance would be about 1.5 inches above the hilt(tell me if Im wrong).
The sheath is awesome, if it is true it is your first, Chris, then bravo!
:thumbup:.
The only thing I would have change on this particular knife is I would have left the rear quillion on the guard thicker, but that's just me.
Awesome work, excellent craftsmanship.:thumbup::thumbup:
The craftmanship for sure, and I love the design, the design "FLOWS". The F&F are flawless IMO, the ratios look fine to me.
Gauging the length/s and thickness, I believe the balance would be about 1.5 inches above the hilt(tell me if Im wrong).
The sheath is awesome, if it is true it is your first, Chris, then bravo!
:thumbup:. The only thing I would have change on this particular knife is I would have left the rear quillion on the guard thicker, but that's just me.
Awesome work, excellent craftsmanship.:thumbup::thumbup:
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- 6,852
I like it, looks great. It's certainly been fun following along, and I'm always a big fan of WIP threads, so I can see the blade taking shape. Very nice work on the sheath too. Would love a WIP on the sheath too; I've only really ever done basic pouch sheaths; nothing that looks that nifty.
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2006
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- 3,494
Good video Chris for an even better package, although shouldn't the carbon fiber sheath insert be unidirectional too? 
On a more serious note, did you have to seal the edges of the CF with cyanoacrylate (or some such) to prevent fraying while stitching it all together?
Very cool WIP Chris. I remember the Filipino Fighter WIP you did a while back carving cherry that was also very impressive.
Keep it up dude! Well done!! Farm out!!!
On a more serious note, did you have to seal the edges of the CF with cyanoacrylate (or some such) to prevent fraying while stitching it all together?
Very cool WIP Chris. I remember the Filipino Fighter WIP you did a while back carving cherry that was also very impressive.
Keep it up dude! Well done!! Farm out!!!
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2006
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- 1,073
Good video Chris for an even better package, although shouldn't the carbon fiber sheath insert be unidirectional too?
On a more serious note, did you have to seal the edges of the CF with cyanoacrylate (or some such) to prevent fraying while stitching it all together?
Very cool WIP Chris. I remember the Filipino Fighter WIP you did a while back carving cherry that was also very impressive.
Keep it up dude! Well done!! Farm out!!!
hey
i am really glad you like it! the problem with sheets of unidirectional carbon fiber is that they are very fragile on the "directional" axis, and so didnt sound like a good idea with a sheath. So i used twill carbon instead, i laid up the carbon fiber for the sheath, so it was a thin sheath of hard carbon plate rather than just being the fabric, though some CA glue would have worked to keep fraying down. (i think that is what you were asking)
thanks so much for following! i am glad you ave enjoyed my work, and i hope it has been helpful
~Chris
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2000
- Messages
- 8,888
Chris,
Not only does the video work, but the assembly demonstration and multiple perspectives are priceless in getting a feel for the piece. I like it even better in the video, and I like the sheath better, also--the CF inlays really come to life. Can't believe the light play in that unidirectional CF handle--I'm betting that becomes a very popular commodity for knife handles in the near future. Unique, beautiful, attention-grabbing, functional, lightweight, strong...and a partridge in a pear tree. :thumbup:
Not only does the video work, but the assembly demonstration and multiple perspectives are priceless in getting a feel for the piece. I like it even better in the video, and I like the sheath better, also--the CF inlays really come to life. Can't believe the light play in that unidirectional CF handle--I'm betting that becomes a very popular commodity for knife handles in the near future. Unique, beautiful, attention-grabbing, functional, lightweight, strong...and a partridge in a pear tree. :thumbup:
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2005
- Messages
- 27,648
visiting this thread just now was a real treat!
I'm glad you didn't send me the pictures to post, Chris. That you posted them feels like a gift!
I very much look forward to Coop's interpretation of this 3D object into 2D.
I'm also looking forward to getting this knife into the hands of a saavy collector, whose feedback and experience will be of great use to Chris in his knife making career.
Well done, Chris!!!
:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
I'm glad you didn't send me the pictures to post, Chris. That you posted them feels like a gift!
I very much look forward to Coop's interpretation of this 3D object into 2D.
I'm also looking forward to getting this knife into the hands of a saavy collector, whose feedback and experience will be of great use to Chris in his knife making career.
Well done, Chris!!!
:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
- Messages
- 12,336
The vid is revealing and instructive. It's making me cringe at shooting that handle. It will be hard to replicate THAT action. 
One critique, Chris: finial nut wrench: 7MM ???!!! That must be a 'bike shop' size. My 7mm wrenches, sockets, etc are all minty, because NO ONE uses 7mm nuts.
Coop
One critique, Chris: finial nut wrench: 7MM ???!!! That must be a 'bike shop' size. My 7mm wrenches, sockets, etc are all minty, because NO ONE uses 7mm nuts.
Coop
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2005
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- 27,648
Coop, it's funny I laughed to myself when Chris mentioned the 7mm wrench. Needless to say, as a Canadian, a Volkswagen owner and a bicycle mechanic, I was very pleased. I'll trade you my standard wrenches for your metric ones! lol
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2006
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- 2,912
I've been watching and waiting to see the finished piece but that video shows it clearly.
The workmanship on this is fantastic. I really liked seeing how snug that handle fit before you cinched it down with the nut and the shimmer in the handle is mesmerizing.
Knowing Lorien and his uses, I'm a little surprised about the slickness of the grip and that I suspect that that "S" guard will be snagging on salal quite a bit..
or is this not going into the rotation? It looks like it would be a fast blade with the thinness of it, the titanium and CF. Was the weight mentioned? I don't recall seeing it but I bet it's light and fast.
Nice work guys.
The workmanship on this is fantastic. I really liked seeing how snug that handle fit before you cinched it down with the nut and the shimmer in the handle is mesmerizing.
Knowing Lorien and his uses, I'm a little surprised about the slickness of the grip and that I suspect that that "S" guard will be snagging on salal quite a bit..
or is this not going into the rotation? It looks like it would be a fast blade with the thinness of it, the titanium and CF. Was the weight mentioned? I don't recall seeing it but I bet it's light and fast.
Nice work guys.