Designing your own

[KYenglish]

Hey all,

Trying to work out a new design for a Hk knife, these are all a little bigger than the Pooka and pocket Muk, still under 7" though, appreciate and thoughts you may have,

Thought I'd also do a little "how to" on the design mocks as well just in case anyone hasn't sent one to John before

After brain storming some ideas I draw out a few of them I might like on a regular piece of paper, marking lines horizontally and vertically at 1" intervals as a guide to keep them roughly in the size catagory I want

I then cut them out, not exactly but cutting away most fo the excess paper, and stick them onto a piece of cardboard (coke boxes, or cereal boxes work fine)

After they have dried I cut them out with the cardboard back as if they were a knife blank

I see how they feel in my hand and make adjustments with the scissors and see if I can't find one that seems like ti might be good in full 3d using 01 steel, or if i have to take one fo them back ot the begining because somehting isn't right.

Deciding on the pin configuation comes last for me.

When I have one the way I like it I'll send it to john along with a sketch of how I think it might turn out with dimensions carefully indicated. I just want to give john the best info I can on what i think I've imained, after that it gets sent to him and put into his hands, which is always a relief to be honest lol

thanks for looking

 

[greatscoot]

That's a very cool write up on your process.

I like the design on the bottom one in the first picture. It looks like it would be handy in the kitchen with 3/32, full grind and no choil.

 

[jds1]

Nice write up Peter. It's pretty cool to send John a template and get a knife in return.

Jeff

 

[fishiker]

Thanks for the insight. I don't have a Pooka or Pocket Muk so any thoughts I have are based on similar sized models. I really like smaller fixed blades and the important factors to me are how well it fits my hand and how well it carries. I want it to not be noticeable whether on my belt or in a pocket. I didn't mention blade geometry or heat treat because neither is an issue with any of John's blades. Maybe I'll get my hands on one next batch. Keep up the good work.

 

[NJBillK]

One quick thing I might add.

Head to your local home improvement store and grab some paint stirrers, the ones for the 5 gallon buckets are thicker and sand just as quick.

After 5 minutes with a belt sander or files and some sandpaper, you will have a little bit more of a hand feel from your "blank".

This is normally the step I put in between cardboard and steel.

Thanks for the write up.
I really dig your designs, especially the left most one where they are all glued prior to drying.

 

[JK Knives]

I do my patterns out of cardboard, but if it's something I think will be popular I make it out of thin wood or garolite.

 

[mykel m]

It's pretty cool to send John a template and get a knife in return.

Jeff

Huh?That's all it takes??

Oh John......