Feedback on My Knife Design Please

[TempusExMachina]

I believe Ray Mears owned the patent for the bottle opener on the spine back in the 1980's.

The patent may be expired by now.

Source: http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25665

 

[TempusExMachina]

And, here's a pry bar on the pommel by Michael Martinez via CRKT.

I don't think a reputable brand like CRKT would just infringe a patent, though I'm not sure what the exact patent situation is with the pry bar on the pommel. There is also no mention of the patent for the pry bar, yet they mention the patent (U.S. Patent No. D559,939) for the Veff Serration of the knife. I'd think that any patent, regardless of whose ownership, would be mentioned to give appropriate credit, given its contracted use.

Source: http://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool-warehouse/COL-2125KV.html

http://www.bluesheepdog.com/2012/02/24/crkt-ultima-knife/

And after doing a search on Google, the hex hole on a knife is already done by Surefire:

Source: http://www.knifecenter.com/item/SFE...lade-Cord-Cutter-Bottle-Opener-Hex-Nut-Wrench

 

[TempusExMachina]

I know that most of you want me to remove the bottle opener altogether, so this may be a step in the right direction.

The area is a more subdued half-hexagon shape (with rounded corners), carrying over the symmetry from the half-hexagonal bottom finger guard. This should make the spine stronger than before, while serving the same functions and capabilities. I think of it as having a more natural transition - almost like a bent top finger guard with a curved spine base.

 

[TempusExMachina]

It looks like DPx just recently made a bigger 4-inch version of this and changed the jimping that will soon be released. They also just got a design patent. I'm glad DPx chose to go the bigger route.
http://dpgear.com/