Design check

N

Nebulae

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Aug 24, 2009
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I'm about to sink a significant amount of time, effort, and resources into this design, so I wanted to run it by you guys here first

nitnioltitanium.png



the edge is going to be NiTinol, and the body 6Al-4V titanium. Right now the plan is to have both waterjet cut, then do a cold press fit, and maybe smash the titanium down to get an solid fit. Handle will be mokume and lightning strike CF

So My questions for you guys are...
first do you like the design of the overall knife?
do you think the composite construction is feasible?
and for you machinist should I get the pieces waterjet cut, or Wire EDM?

Thanks for looking
 
To be honest, I think the design looks impractical and "tacticool."

The re-curve blade is fine, but the handle, especially the spine and the choil look uncomfortable.
 
I think you will spend a lot of time and money on a knife that may not hold together. I also agree that the look is just that....for looks, not practicality.
 
I am no expert, but based on the parts I have had waterjet cut, there is no way they would fit together. Two issues 1) water jet leave a saw edge by running really slow the undulations can be small but still there, 2) water jet cuts at an angle, the top of the blade is cut away more leaving a slight angle on the edge. If I were to spend my time I would water jet the handle and make sure I have a diamond tools that will fit the curves to give me a way to make a flat even surface, lay that on top on my edge material, sacribe and cut with a jewlers saw hoping the two match up.

Maybe computer controled machining could match the edges??

I made a prototype for another designer that had a similar angle of blade and handle, he liked it, I could see no situation where that angle was any way near usefull. I suggest you make a wood prototype and check how it handles and how it would feel doing tasks, then go to steel.
 
While I generally like the materials you will be using, I'm personally not too crazy about the shape over all. I think I would spend some time refining the curves and angles to be a little more "simple". I'd start by getting rid of the "hunch back" and rounding the choil out a little more. Once you've refined the design to be a little more practical, I'd make a prototype out of some materials that don't cost several hundred dollars and dozens of manhours to create.

Again, that's just my personal opinion. In the end, it mostly matters that you are happy with it.
 
Well, hey, I do a lot of liner locking folders that would be concidered "not practical" as well as folders for use and EDCs. I think this is or just might be a very attractive collectable. Beauty has a function as does practicality and the previous members that answered this thread, will tell you if that's what it's going to be for then it may be a great design.
Are you looking to have this made, or are you going to make it yourself? If you are not very experienced at knife making I strongly suggest getting someone to do it or put it aside. I'm not looking to do it. I did say I make liner locking folders, and that's an only thing. To see some of my work please go to customknifegallery.com Frank
 
The thing about the handle shape is that I have a very unique concept for the blade, and I didnt want to put a plain jane handle on it. This is not really going to be for an edc, but more for fun, and I want it to be spectacular. Thanks everyone for the input i really appreciate it, Ill take a look at it again.

I am confident that I can figure out how to stick this together, if nothing else I think I could get it professionally welded in a argon chamber.

The motivation behind this project is mostly that it is just awesome! I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at A&M and I love materials, so for me this is a very cool way to play with NiTinol. Also It turns out that since the NiTinol is so expensive this process will greatly reduce my costs. I have worked with Stellite, Tungsten carbide, and all maner of steel, and now I want to add NiTinol to that list.
 
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Can't say I care for the design but it would be really cool if you made a WIP on it with that 2 piece blade. While impracticle and a huge weak point, that press fit would be neat to see come together. I would sugest cutting it on a CNC mill.
 
how about this. I got rid of the hunchback, and softened out the finger choil a bit. what can I do to the finger choil to make it better, I really want to keep that feature.

Do you guys think the angle of the blade relative to the handle is a big issue? I have one like that and Kind of like it, I find it brings the tip down a bit so it makes it more useful.

nitinoltitanium2.png
 
Nebulae said:
how about this. I got rid of the hunchback, and softened out the finger choil a bit. what can I do to the finger choil to make it better, I really want to keep that feature.

Do you guys think the angle of the blade relative to the handle is a big issue? I have one like that and Kind of like it, I find it brings the tip down a bit so it makes it more useful.

nitinoltitanium2.png
Click to expand...

What is the knife for?

I think the handle angle to blade angle is making it look different. Then consequently the hump on the spine sticks out more. I'd reduce the finger choil depth more so that you don't need such a big bump, or increase the height of the blade portion so it is less obvious.
 
If you do make this you gotta do a WIP. This reminds me of some of the stuff Kershaw has put out. I like the first design better. If you are going to make it wild, make it wild.
 
Hey Chief... if you like the design of the knife then quit worrying about what all of us say and make it your way. the opinion is like the anus... everyone has one, and a lot of them stink. Personally, i'm not a fan of the design, but you aren't making it for me, and i would love to see the finished product (with WIP) just the same. Just my two cents.
 
See that was my opinion Tiller. I really don't want a plane handle I want some spice. Looks are nearly as important as ergonomics

heres what it looks like straightened out

nitinoltitanium3.png

looks a little boring, but with some more work it could be a little better
 
Why not do a san mai blade? Well, you have to carry it through the habdle too, but you could get very close to the blade you want, and they look darned cool. just a thought.
 
For the complex profile and tight tolerances needed, waterjet wouldn't be ideal. EDM or laser cutting would be better. As for welding, I think you would have issues. The difference in thermal reactions, and the issues with realloying at the weld line being some of them. Silver solder in a neutral environ might be an option. Neat idea tho - I've used nitinol in actuators, stents and guidewires - it's crazy stuff!
 
I'n still with you Nebulae. The tip height is good and while to some the hump looks too much if a pattern is made, I'll bet it's good too. There is a need for some past association with seemingly "far out designs" to get a "feel" for them. I think your material list is great to except I don't know your blade steel which is okay too. Frank
 
Have you tried a prototype made from inexpensive materials yet?
Might save a lot of grief and expense!
IMHO make a few then post some pics here... Drawings are always different than what the end result looks like
 
I think I can get the composite seem to work, welding, brazing, and soldering are pretty much out b/c neither titanium, or NiTinol like to weld. If the titanium starts out a little thicker than the NiTinol edge I think I can mash it down slightly to a really good fit. But a dry run in cheap materials might be in order
Also This has been done before, I must give credit to Mick Strider for the inspiration, he did a blade like this for a competition about 10 years ago
 
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