First knife design. Critique needed thanks

J

jtwodogs

Joined
Feb 1, 2009
Messages
421
Critique please:
My 2 rough sketches cut out. What is the good, bad, ugly. Huh, that would make a good movie title :)
Thanks

HPIM0810_zpsc5bf271b.jpg
 
To me the handles appear pregnant. Those big bellies just wouldn't feel good in my hand.
 
tryppyr said:
To me the handles appear pregnant. Those big bellies just wouldn't feel good in my hand.
Click to expand...

Agreed, I would cut the belly back on the handle and deepen and round the finger choil ever so slightly.
 
I actually like the swell in the belly of the handles but, I think it is too far back. I prefer the fattest part of the handle to be generally between my middle finger and ring finger. I think the handles might feel a little small in my average sized hands. Knives will be quite heavy in the handle unless you really hog out some weight back there.

Bob
 
For comfort and visual, the bulge of the belly needs to be centered in the length of the handle.

The little bit of "guard" you have extending below the edge is a no-go for me. It makes chopping on a cutting board, for example, problematic and doesn't add any security against slipping forward onto the blade. I'd remove it entirely, but if you want to do something nice and get the edge a bit farther away from the leading finger, think about a spanish notch.

Other than that, they are good solid designs and are simple enough that anyone can accomplish them. Too many new makers go for outlandish blade shapes straight out of a comic book and then wonder why they're having problems. Clean, simple, functional.... there's elegance in that.
 
Nice flow. The handle has a nice curve to it, gives the whole thing a nice flow. I agree the choil is a bit too aggressive. If you can, make a cutout of the knife you can hold in your hand, cardboard or card stock works good for that. Once you feel the shape in your hand, you may change your mind about a few things.
 
Put the handle on a diet, moved the belly bulge to the center, eliminated the extended guard.
HPIM0812_zpsaea52fe5.jpg
 
That looks good. Last change would be to slightly round the top end of the handle in a smooth curve instead of a pointed facet.
 
Great design. Between the three ideas, you can really see how even the smallest changes make a huge difference in how the piece is perceived. Details, details, details.
 
I liked the first design better. I didn't think the handle looked too pregnant, and it had a definite shape to the back end of the handle. Round out the choil area so that you can get a finishing wheel in there.

The re-design is a fail for me. The butt of the handle does not pass the poop test. I think all the personality has been designed out in the re-design.
 
I like the top design best. Agree about moving the bottom belly forward a bit. Keep the bottom guard but reduce it in size a little - I don't think you are going to use this blade in the kitchen on a cutting board. Round the top back of the handle - that sharp point will hurt your hand eventually. Make the top of the knife a fair curve - it looks like there is a low spot at the end of the blade, start of the handle. All minor points. Overall, I like the design.
Tim
 
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