Design problems

[halfflash]

So I've never been able to translate the images from my mind's eye, to paper. I've just always been a horrible artist. I really can't express how much of a bad artist I am.
I have been trying for a few days to put some one my blade ideas on paper. I've tried pencils, microsoft paint, and photoshop. But when I'm done, what is on the paper, looks nothing like what it is in my mind. It's very off putting.
Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[Phantom Steelworks]

Maybe your just one of the gifted ones that doesnt need a sketch. Just grab's a a piece of steel and starts grinding.:thumbup:

Good thing is your trying.....dont give up!

Look forward to seeing what you come up with.

45

So I've never been able to translate the images from my mind's eye, to paper. I've just always been a horrible artist. I really can't express how much of a bad artist I am.
I have been trying for a few days to put some one my blade ideas on paper. I've tried pencils, microsoft paint, and photoshop. But when I'm done, what is on the paper, looks nothing like what it is in my mind. It's very off putting.
Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[galadduin]

Try google sketchup. It is very good for basic profiles. Then printout the basic profile and tuch up the detail work by hand. As a horrible illustrator I did find this program very helpful....

 

[silver_pilate]

If I'm just not able to get a design down on paper (and I rarely ever do), I'll just take my steel, cut it to length, and lay out some rough parameters. For example, the length of the cutting edge, the length of the handle, roughly where the plunge will be. I do all of this with magic marker, and then I just start grinding. For the handle, grind a bit, hold it in your hand to get a feel for it, and keep grinding until it feels comfortable and looks right. For the blade, do the same thing, and hold it up to the light to get a feel for the profile. Set it edge up on a flat surface, and see how it sits and how it looks. For me, the knife I make is based off of an idea of dimensions and purpose, and it takes form as I grind it.

If you're using files, try cutting out a cardboard template to get a feel for design and shape and use that to help profiling the blade.

Just grind/file away everything that is not the knife in your mind. And once you do get a design that you really like, take a piece of thin weld steel or stiff cardboard and trace the pattern and cut it out to keep.

--nathan

 

[oconeedan]

And you can make a model using hardboard, found at lowes or home depot. The model will tell you if you like it before screwing up good steel and belts. And keep the hardboard model as a template if you like the results.
Dan