Feedback Request: Rough Draft Custom Knife Designs (WIP)

T

Tesseract87

Joined
Dec 10, 2025
Messages
6
Howdy all,

I’m looking for feedback on some rough draft drawings of fixed blade EDC knives.
Could anyone offer tips on improving handle ergonomics, blade proportions, or overall design? Any constructive criticism or suggestions for improvement would be greatly appreciated.

You can view the designs here: [Figma.com/EDC Knife Designs]
(Note: Materials/Textures are only design placeholders.)

Please note: design © Tersseract87, shared here for critique only.
 
I think your forefinger notch is too deep.

I like the general proportions and shape of the blade and handle though.

Final criticism/advise: if your going to have notches/choils design them to fit one of the tools you have, so that you don't have to manually determine the radius on each one. If you've got a 4 inch wheel and a 1 inch wheel, make the finger notch and the other contours in the handle match those radius.
 
A.McPherson said:
I think your forefinger notch is too deep.

I like the general proportions and shape of the blade and handle though.

Final criticism/advise: if your going to have notches/choils design them to fit one of the tools you have, so that you don't have to manually determine the radius on each one. If you've got a 4 inch wheel and a 1 inch wheel, make the finger notch and the other contours in the handle match those radius.
Click to expand...
Thank you, much appreciated!
 
I prefer the one on the right. I agree about the finger notch being too deep, 2/3 would be about right.

I used to paste 3 or 4 layers or cereal box cardboard up and cut new patterns out of it with a box cutter. Stiff and tough enough to get a good feel of the shapes.
 
The forefinger notch is twice as deep as it should be. It will make a very weak place and the knife could break there..
Overall, the handle and blade shapes are OK. The left knife has a bit too much curvature of the spine. The right one has a better curvature. Straighten the left one more.
 
lukusamongus said:
I prefer the one on the right. I agree about the finger notch being too deep, 2/3 would be about right.

I used to paste 3 or 4 layers or cereal box cardboard up and cut new patterns out of it with a box cutter. Stiff and tough enough to get a good feel of the shapes.
Click to expand...
That's a good idea, Thanks.
 
I've made some adjustments on the depth of the finger notches on both knives, and the spine curvature on the rightmost knife. Let me know if there are any other noticeable design flaws.
 
I heartily commend the idea of making mock-ups in cardboard or soft wood, including handle scales, and even better if you can give them to people with different hand sizes and get their input.
 
Good job on the designs, looks like you have given a good deal of thought to every aspect of the knife.

You might also try to design something with even simpler less curvy lines.

Hoss
 
I agree with making a mockup of the knifes out of wood or cardboard (or even a 3d printer) and seeing how they feel in hand. Looks like the handles might dig into your palms quite a bit in a reversed/edge towards you grip. I would soften the points just below the finger notches.
 
Yes, I make mockups of all my knives now. Designing them in CAD and 3d printing them is super easy and you can keep the template forever.
 
I used cardboard glued together for the first couple years before I had the designs I needed.

Lots of cardboard and tape.
 
Drew Riley said:
I agree with making a mockup of the knifes out of wood or cardboard (or even a 3d printer) and seeing how they feel in hand. Looks like the handles might dig into your palms quite a bit in a reversed/edge towards you grip. I would soften the points just below the finger notches.
Click to expand...
I was also going to suggest that you hold the knife upside down, but you beat me to it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top