First knife design

imill3567

imill3567

Joined
Aug 5, 2014
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378

This is a tentative design for my first knife for stock removal (not including a file knife which is half finished), I ordered some 1084 which is on its way. The idea is for a small skinner style knife, at most 6 inches OAL. I have smaller hands and can fit 3 fingers on the current handle length. Just looking for general advice on the shape, thanks
 
Looks good.
Personaly I'd try to have a more round and flowing shape from the bottom of the handle to the (dropped) edge
 
yeah I forgot to mention it will be more rounded, that's just because of the limitations of scissors and cardboard, thanks for the input
 
That handle looks too small to hang on to. If you are using it for skinning it is going to be slippery from all the blood and fat. Is there any reason to make it so small?

Tim
 
I totally agree with what the other guys said. There's nothing wrong with a three finger handle when necessary, as in a necker, but why do it in a skinner? I'd get rid if the flat spine and put more of a curve there. Also, you could stand to lose some height in the blade.
 
Thanks for the input guys, at first I thought that I really wanted to make it compact but I've started to lean towards adding an inch or so onto the handle to make the width of the blade look more proportional and be able to add a fourth finger, because there isn't much of a reason to save an inch. I'll save the idea of a compact fixed blade for the next project. The blade is only 1.25 inches wide, so I'm not sure if it's just the picture making it look wider or if 1.25 is too wide.
 
Yep :)
Just a point, your ricasso line goes vertically. I think a slight angle looks better.
BTW I found that cutting them with a chan saw file is a good way to make them. Only cut app 2/3 of the hight you want it to go
 
I am working on my first set of knifes. My firs is at heat treating and these are #2,3. May I suggest drawing it many times and doing the cardboard thing.
I actually like my last drawing pictured which is a combo of actually knife 2,3. So eventually I "need" to get more bar and make another one.


Wet Sanding on the dock by the lake.
 
gsx-rboy750 said:
I am working on my first set of knifes. My firs is at heat treating and these are #2,3. May I suggest drawing it many times and doing the cardboard thing.
I actually like my last drawing pictured which is a combo of actually knife 2,3. So eventually I "need" to get more bar and make another one.




Wet Sanding on the dock by the lake.
Click to expand...

Wow, looks like a CRKT and 2 Beckers. REALLY like them. Hmmmmm
 
My main advice would be to stop and think what part of a knife you want to learn to make....The blade...or the handle????
You spent probably 80% of your time and effort making the handle instead of spending that time on the blade. Ask yourself, "Which part will make it a good or bad knife?"

I would suggest leaving the whistles and bells for much later in the game and concentrating your efforts on making a clean and crisp knife blade . Use a plain tang with just rivet holes to start with.
 
I was going to post a sarcastic reply asking where were all the bells and whistles (jimping, useless nicks and notches, superfluous bulges, ridiculous recurves), but decided Stacy's right (as usual).

Simple is best, and your basic design is fine. Now that you know what shape you want, start thinking about the blade itself. What grind will you attempt? So many to choose from... chisel grind? Scandi? Full Flat Grind? Convex? Hollow? How thick will your billet be? Newbies tend to want to start with thick billets (thicker than 1/8th inch)... I advise going thin.

Time to turn your attention to what really matters.
 
tryppyr said:
I was going to post a sarcastic reply asking where were all the bells and whistles (jimping, useless nicks and notches, superfluous bulges, ridiculous recurves), but decided Stacy's right (as usual).

Simple is best, and your basic design is fine. Now that you know what shape you want, start thinking about the blade itself. What grind will you attempt? So many to choose from... chisel grind? Scandi? Full Flat Grind? Convex? Hollow? How thick will your billet be? Newbies tend to want to start with thick billets (thicker than 1/8th inch)... I advise going thin.

Time to turn your attention to what really matters.
Click to expand...

I agree with using a thinner metal. I struggled with my first knife which was a large 3/16 CPM3V. I would also recommend using a 1095 type steel, (in retro spec)
 
jimh0220 said:
Wow, looks like a CRKT and 2 Beckers. REALLY like them. Hmmmmm
Click to expand...

Sorry misleading. The two big knifes and little neck knife are mine. The orange handle knife is a CRKT put there for size reference.
That funny about saying Becker. You are the second person to say that and honestly I never liked the becker or though of it during the design. My inspiration was a survive, Esee Ls and a Dave Canterbury knife.
I guess it all honestly I probably like the becker in the back of my mind somewhere. Only this one is only 7.5oz!!
 
Tryppyr, I'm using 1/8 inch 1084, and was thinking a full flat grind using a guided file jig.
 
One more quick question, I'm also drawing/mocking up a bird and trout design, also in 1/8" 1084, and the tang starts wider in the butt of the handle and thins as it nears the ricasso, the thinnest point is 3/8 inches wide, will this be too thin and be prone to breaking? keeping in mind it's a B&T and will be used as such, thanks!
 
in my opinion on your bird and trout 3/8 seems a little small, just for the gripping side of it as for breakage if its properly Heat treated I don't see it being easy to break. others and myself would be able to give you a better Idea if you posted a pic of you design.
 
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