Design critique please

[coop7]

This one's in cpm-m4 at just a hair over 1/8"(9/64" to be exact). Just wanting to make sure I haven't overlooked anything thus far. Thanks.

 

[23698012]

Looks like a nice design to me. What do you intend to use this knife for? A neck knife? Skinning blade/hunter? If you plan on using the knife without scales or with a handle wrap, I suggest carrying it around for a day or two to make sure the handle shape is what you want. If you plan on making handles scales of some sort, I would make mock-scales out of plywood and place them on the knife to make sure they feel good in your hand.

Bottom line. Make sure the knife is as comfortable for the end user as possible before you do heat treat the blade.

Hope you take all of this in good heart, just trying to help.

 

[coop7]

Its pretty ergonomic, I designed it to be kind of an smaller edc blade. I have some 1/4" Tero tuf I'm planning on using for the scales. I'm thinking that might be too thin, but I've yet to do a mock up like you're suggesting.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Normally, I am not a fan of super curvy blades, but what you have looks nice.

Not that you can change this knife, but if you want an EDC, it would be best not to use a skinner blade. The radical curve in the blade edge will be of little use in general use cutting, but OK for a skinner or self defense blade.

I'm not sure what you plan for those handle holes? Do you have a drawing of the proposed handle and rivets/bolts?

 

[coop7]

Hey Stacy, truth be told I did have self defense in mind when I drew this up, and I do like a lot of belly anyways. I have an 1/8 hole for a pin in front and a 1/4 for a lanyard tube in the back.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

1/8" and a lanyard tube with three inches of curved handle between them isn't much support for the scales. I would go bigger in the front if that is all you are using. A Corby bolt in the front the same size as the thong tube would be even better.

Draw a line between the two rivet holes to see why I said it does not give that handle much support.

If you really want the 1/8" pin, I would add one more between the big holes to give the handle three point support.

 

[coop7]

Thanks for the guidance, I think I will make the front hole 1/4".