Does this design work for you?

David Stifle

David Stifle

Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
10,188
This is my attempt to marry the classic K-Bar blade with a more traditional hunter style handle, while I was at it, I decided to dress it up a bit. The blade is 1084, heavily etched and slightly blued, the handle is brushed N.S. and brass spacers, with blackwood and B&W ebony. What can I do, in your opinion, to improve further works like this? For example, blade shape vs handle shape, choice of materials, less ornate simpler handle? etc.
 
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Too much flair for my taste, you can't beat the original handle IMO. Looks like a nice handle though.
 
I do know what you mean.Trying to deviate from an original is tough. I could have went with micarta (and might in the future), stacked leather or a simple handle. In this case, I wanted to try something different. It's always a dilemma for me.
 
Oh, and I think eliminating the abalone and the extra spacer, and extending the wood would make the handle less "in your face" dramatic. It would better fit the rough aesthetic, in my opinion.
 
Interference Fit Co. said:
Oh, and I think eliminating the abalone and the extra spacer, and extending the wood would make the handle less "in your face" dramatic. It would better fit the rough aesthetic, in my opinion.
Click to expand...

I think you may have put your finger on it, although there isn't much brass in the handle to darken. It looks fine when handling it, so I'm probably nitpicking as I'm over all happy with the knife. Sigh...it's just my usual wish I had done this...wish I had done that..that I experience almost every time I do a knife. I've got some different ideas for the next one.:)
 
David,
I think it has too much going on. There is an incongruity between the rough look of the blade and the fancy handle. Also, the handle has the whole shopping cart tossed in it. There are just too many elements going on and they don't all match. IMHO, it would have looked far better if the wood was only black and the accent woods and small spacer were left out.
 
I do tend to go overboard, Stacy, and the more I look at it the more I think some change is in order. Thanks everyone!
 
I think that technicaly it is an interesting handle, but I agree with the other. It is to much
Less is more.
Just a blackwood handle with one or two of those metal spacers would have given it a completely different look

If you want to go for the Kabar-look, how about a stacked micarta grip?
 
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