Design critique/suggestions

[AZsmith]

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/...jpg?1477060159625&1477060162470&1477060162476
http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/...jpg?1477060159625&1477060162471&1477060162477

Hey gents,

Asking for any suggestions on design improvement. I'm looking at making my dad a cowboy-type knife for Christmas, but don't want to go with a traditional Bowie. A couple issues I can already see is that I need to widen the ricasso, and maybe lower the ramp on the spine some. The wooden one was made so I can get an idea on how the handle will feel in the hand. I can already tell it's a little small so that's another change expected. I'll probably be forging this one out of 1075 and it'll be a full tang.
Any help you can throw my way would be appreciated. I have extremely thick skin so feel free to tear it apart.

Thanks,

Juan

P.S.

It's October and still in the 90's here in southern AZ,, shaping up to be a great winter to forge!:thumbup:

 

[Matt Rochester]

Your thoughts on the spine ramp I agree with. As far as the rest I would do away with the notch between the ricasso and the handle and make it a smooth transition between them with a radius. I also think a guard instead of bolsters would be a nice touch. Maybe even some wrought iron for it? Also, just copy and paste the img link and paste it for pics.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Going with your sketch:
1) I would get rid of the spike on the spine. It is a distraction, an does nothing for the knife beyond pull your attention from all the nice stuff.
2) I would move the drop in the blade out from the handle to create a 1/2" ricasso. Make the plunge align with the drop in the edge so the edge goes all the way to the drop. You can either have a standard plunge above the drop, or a sweeping plunge (more or less plunge-less).