Designing my first commisioned custom! (complete with paper prototype!)

Comeuppance

Comeuppance

Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
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With how much I was looking at spending on a pre-made custom, I figure I might as well design my own and have it made.

So, some deets:

~ 3.25" edge
Titanium framelock
flipper w/bearing pivot
Damascus standoffs
Piped lanyard hole

I drew inspiration from several knives I've owned. The Kershaw RAM's flipper design (where the flipper actually is flush with the handle when the knife is open. I loved that about the RAM, because I HATE HATE HATE choils on blades. It just feels like wasted potential cutting surface), Cold Steel Tuff Lite's blade shape, and Spyderco's tendency towards wide blades with holes.

It's designed to be a utility folder, primarily. I'm not sure if I want it to be flat or hollow ground.



I plan on rounding out the notch on the back of the blade so it isn't such a harsh angle when the knife is closed.



The circles in the above picture are, from top to bottom, the stop pin, three standoiffs, and a lanyard hole.



Ignore the sketching behind the holes on the back of the blade. I was thinking about putting an indent in there for my thumb, but I really disliked how it looked.




Broken q-tip pivot FTW IMO



The whole thing is actually really ergonomic in its current form.

Size comparison pictures with a Gayle Bradley:



Given that I drew it freehand and from memory, I don't think it could have worked out better within reason. I haven't really considered what I want to do with the pocket clip, or the finish on the titanium. I kinda want to do a 3D fish-scale pattern on the handles, but I think that would raise the cost of the knife to a ridiculous level.

Thoughts? I'm completely open to suggestions and criticisms.
 
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Looks very unique, and I like it. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Who is doing the build?
 
cutter17 said:
Looks very unique, and I like it. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Who is doing the build?
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I haven't chosen a knifemaker yet. I've heard good things about Alan Davis, and he was recommended to me in a different thread. His use of damascus is what made me think of having damascus standoffs. I don't know if I want the blade to be damascus, however - I'd rather have a blade I won't worry about scuffing. I plan on using this, heh.
 
Yalius said:
It kind of strongly resembles a jumbo-sized Kershaw 1615.
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I've never seen that one before! That's a neat little knife. I do like wharncliffes and flippers (obviously).

Wait, 440A steel? That knife could have been fantastic if they had gone with Sandvik or 8Cr13MoV... And made it manual.
 
Any ideas as far as pocket clip or handle finish? Materials? Design changes/ideas?
 
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I would have the back of the handle flow a little more smoothly, or be closer to flat, like the spydie its next to. For looks, as well as the fact that the lump there could get annoying after a long time. Also if you are planning on using the two cutouts on the bottom for your index and middle finger to sit, they should be rounded. As it is it will cause pressure points. And my final suggestion is less is more! Keep it simple and clean and it will rock.
 
Pete3 said:
I would have the back of the handle flow a little more smoothly, or be closer to flat, like the spydie its next to. For looks, as well as the fact that the lump there could get annoying after a long time. Also if you are planning on using the two cutouts on the bottom for your index and middle finger to sit, they should be rounded. As it is it will cause pressure points. And my final suggestion is less is more! Keep it simple and clean and it will rock.
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Rounding the grooves is a very good idea. I've considered having the handle lump just be one smooth subtle curve as well, much like the GB. A little more organic-looking, probably more comfortable too. I'm definitely going to have the spine rounded.
 
I like the blade, the handle needs a lot of work. I think the design you made is enough for a maker to revise and make a great knife. I'm partial to sandblasted scales and clip.

What's going on with the opening? stud, hole? It's your custom knife and if you want a spider hole, have him drill you a spider hole.
 
monger4142 said:
I like the blade, the handle needs a lot of work. I think the design you made is enough for a maker to revise and make a great knife. I'm partial to sandblasted scales and clip.

What's going on with the opening? stud, hole? It's your custom knife and if you want a spider hole, have him drill you a spider hole.
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Opening is by flipper and flipper alone. The holes are purely decorative. I don't like thumb studs that could potentially get in the way of cutting material. Too many times have I been cutting deep into a material and have to stop and pull the blade out a bit because it was catching on the studs.

Aye, the handle was a very rough design. It'll be a surprise to nobody that this is the first time I've taken a shot at designing a knife, and even less surprising that I did all the design in the span of about 3 hours. The handle was shaped more to house the blade and be reasonably comfortable than it was to be perfectly ergonomic. What handle shapes should I be looking at, keeping in mind the intended use of the finger grooves?
 
Pete, you were right. I mocked up a new model, and once it was in hand I immediately hated the bump on the handle.

I streamlined the handle a bit, thinned down the blade slightly, and added some small notches to the spine of the blade.

I present a fancy new model, using cardboard and q-tip pivot, stop pin, and lanyard hole!

There's some black ink on the cardboard on the handle and blade, as this was cut from an amazon box.



 
A couple more - I also pointlessly added the framelock and a cutout on the presentation side for easy access to the lock:




EDIT: Yes, the lock engages.


 
your models keep getting better and better... if you keep revising them, before you know it you wont need a knifemaker! :D
i suggest keep making models.. or drawings, eventually you will find exactly what you want and you wont feel any impulse to ask us.
that last one does look good though!
 
looks good - but I recomend making a model out of wood or plastic the same thickness as you want the real one to be, that will give you a better sense of the actual ergonomics
 
Comeuppance said:
I haven't chosen a knifemaker yet. I've heard good things about Alan Davis, and he was recommended to me in a different thread. His use of damascus is what made me think of having damascus standoffs. I don't know if I want the blade to be damascus, however - I'd rather have a blade I won't worry about scuffing. I plan on using this, heh.
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FWIW I have one damascus blade in my rotation and getting it scratched it part of the fun. There's nothing quite like a dammie blade with character.

IMO, given the amount of work it is for guys like Thomas, Nichols, etc. to forge damascus , it would be an insult to let it sit on the shelf.
 
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