Finding Balance

OutdoorsFamilyMan4

OutdoorsFamilyMan4

Joined
Jan 20, 2012
Messages
2,278
I am gonna attempt to make my very first knife. Its gonna be from a file (not the best choice I know-but I have a bunch lying around and I'm super broke)I am familiar with forums and I have read alot of the stickys (the ones that didnt have a dead url at the end of the link)and searched through all the site for the info i am seeking but all that did was confuse me more and almost scare me into not wanting to make one. I am designing it right now and want to know how to ensure that the knife is well balanced. I have tons more questions for someone who doesn't want to just bash on newb.
 
I think you'll find this place very newbie friendly. I'm always willing to extend a helping hand to someone wanting to try knifemakig. If you'd like a piece of Aldo's 1084 and a block of stabilized wood for making that first (or second) knife, send me an e-mail or PM with a mailing address and I'll get you some at no cost to you.
 
I have a rough drawing right now---its very similar to the Anza Boddington but with a few changes-its gonna be longer (around 11" with the blade being about 6")-the tang will extend beyond the handle but instead of the glass breaker style, I want it more like a hammer poll (like the BK2) with a lanyard hole in it--I want to put two more lashing holes in the handle (Side-by-side) near the blade. I want the scales to be removable for ease cleaning and versatility. Its very similar to the Boddington (simply because I like the handle and cant find anything I like better) heres the pic I found of the boddington-http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/623433-Anza-Knives-for-Survival
 
I am a first timer as well and I am learning very quickly that you should start small so as to not become too frustrated at how slow things go! Have fun!! I know I am, despite some self imposed setbacks!
 
I have a photo of my two designs but I dont know how to show them. I know you cant post pics on here and they arent uploaded onto any site where I can link them to. Any ideas?
 
Here's Ryan's photo

IMG_0033.JPG
 
I like the looks of the top one and the bottom right one as a skinner. The bottom left something looks a bit off to me, but I can't put my finger on it.
 
Try making them n wood.

It will give a sense of balance, and it will help you determine if you like the handle shapes & make changes

and you could have kept this together with your other thread, finding balance.
 
I usually like the top (spine) of the knife to have some type of gentle curve. It adds an organic, flowing component to the knife. Right now, it looks as if the spines of your designs are ram-rod straight. Give them a little shape/curve, and I think you'll be pleased by the results of even the most subtle curve, even if it is limited to slightly dropping toward the handle and tip.

Edited to add: On a bigger knife, it doesn't have to be much. This is a blade I modified for the military give-away a good while back, and you can see just a subtle curve to the spine (between the 3" and 9.5" mark) which accelerates towards the tip and handle. Now yours doesn't have to look anything like this obviously, but I'm just trying to illustrate my point.

IMG_7533.jpg


The bottom line: make it your own and make it how you like it. You'll learn what does and does not work/look good.

--nathan
 
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Count mentioned it in your other thread, but a wooden or cardboard model would go a long way to showing you how it will feel in the hand. You can even tape on weight in the appropriate areas if you want.
 
silver_pilate said:
I usually like the top (spine) of the knife to have some type of gentle curve. It adds an organic, flowing component to the knife. Right now, it looks as if the spines of your designs are ram-rod straight. Give them a little shape/curve, and I think you'll be pleased by the results of even the most subtle curve, even if it is limited to slightly dropping toward the handle.
Click to expand...


I agree completely. I kept the spine and handle back very straight so I could keep the grinding/cutting down to a minimum. I figured it would be less to screw up on.
 
Balance is a function of handle size and blade size. If your knife is similar in size and shape to a commercial shape, chances are good that it will balance just fine.

In making a knife, things can be lightened or weighted to make the balance fall where you want. The tang can be drilled out like swiss cheese too make the blade end more weighted, or a pommel can be added to make the handle end more weighted.

Post your sketches and materials, and let's see what you are going to make.

BTW, welcome to the Bladeforums.
 
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