Design feedback on knife #3

Michael Black

Michael Black

Joined
Jun 29, 2014
Messages
451
Posted my first knife a while back and got great advice, so thanks everyone! This is knife number 3 and I think it is significantly better than the first two. Any and all advice welcome.

440C stainless skinner
Paper micarta handle
Acid (ferric chloride) etched coyote paw print.

Hand filed and sanded, since I don't have a grinder.

Any suggestions on how to finish the micarta better? I just sanded it to about 800 grit, then put some mineral oil on it, but since it can't really soak in it's wearing off very quickly.

Also, my dang acid etch missed one of the claws on etching...

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The workmanship looks nice.

I don't like oiling Micarta....I just sand it smooth and leave it grippy. Paper Micarta is not my favorite, either...for the reasons you discovered...it is hard to get a good finish. Try linen and canvas for a much more even finish.

Now, on the shape of the blade:
Ask yourself what all that 1.5" above the edge is there for??? It is a skinner, so you aren't chopping, hacking, or prying on things. Does it need all that wide a blade to efficiently cut up a deer? A narrower blade will work as well or better. If that blade edge was moved up to about half way between the handle and the heel I bet it would look and work better. You didn't give the measurements, but I'm guessing that would be about 1/4" narrower. Doesn't sound like much, but it really changes things. Print out a scan or make a sketch of that knife and then re-draw the edge higher and see how you like the look...or make your fourth knife just like it with a narrower blade.

Only other suggestion is to make the transition on the spine a gradual curve instead of an angle. Mostly just aesthetics, but I find a curved spine line from butt to tip looks better. The curvature doesn't need to be pronounced. Even as little as 1/16" of curve in a 8" knife can make a big difference in the looks and feel.
My standard teaching comparison to folks is, "Just like the shape of an attractive woman, a knife should have curves, not angles. Doesn't matter if they are big curves or small ones...a curve always looks better than an angle." Additionally, I usually add, "And, beside the ones we really want to see, ripples, dips, and bumps rarely add anything good to either a knife or a woman's shape."
 
Looks pretty good. My only other comment is that the pin alignment looks awkward. They are not centered or symmetrical.

Keep up the good work.

Shane
 
Thanks for the tips, gents.

This is the next one I had sketched up before I received your feedback. I'll change the tip to a gradual curve, but what are your thoughts on the blade width on this one, Stacy? I was going for a similar look, but since this one is about 1.5" longer overall, I think the blade looks better. Think I should still go narrower?

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I want to change the pins on this one too, similar to where they are now, but instead of going in a straight line back from the blade, I want them curving down to follow the shape of the handle. I found a sweet deal on a drill press on Craigslist yesterday, so that should fix my drilling inconsistencies on the pins.

I just whipped up a batch of burlap micarta, so hopefully that one ends up being easier to finish.
 
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