First knife designs...

[dillon_b12]

In the last year or so, I've developed an interest in trying my hand at knife-making and done a little reading up on it.

I decided to sketch up a few and see what you guys think. Anything you see you would change?

 

[Hengelo_77]

I think you have two good idea's there.
Try cutting them out of cardboard and stick some extra cardboard on the handles to make them a bit thicker.
That way you can get a feel of how the knife would work out.
You might find that there are a few small things you want to tweak.

(and it is fun, waving a card board knife around, all day long )

 

[BChou-E29]

Looks good. As Hengelo said, cut out a template and see how it feels in hand. However, I wouldn't concentrate too much on the design aspect. Things will change along the road and I've learned that few of my knives ever end up exactly how I drew em up to be. Just let the juices flow and it'll just come to you while you're making it. Good luck on your first.

 

[Destraal]

Your grind lines are very unlikely to end up looking like you've drawn. If you really want them to end up that way, you'd need to have a bevel on the spine of the blade as well.

Other than that issue, I really like the look of that second blade.

You can always do quite a bit of tweaking during the making of the knife, I wouldn't worry too much about design beforehand. At least not on your first few knives that is.

 

[dillon_b12]

It had crossed my mind when drawing the grind lines that they would likely not end up that way. Drawn the way I have them now, I would not be able to get a sharp point, correct?

The top one might end up nicer with an FFG anyway. I cut it out of some cardboard and it feels more like a smallish(~3.5" blade) camp/kitchen knife.

I haven't decided what to do one the second one since I don't want to try a swedge on one of my first knives. It is definitely my favorite of the two.

 

[dillon_b12]

Your grind lines are very unlikely to end up looking like you've drawn. If you really want them to end up that way, you'd need to have a bevel on the spine of the blade as well.

Other than that issue, I really like the look of that second blade.

You can always do quite a bit of tweaking during the making of the knife, I wouldn't worry too much about design beforehand. At least not on your first few knives that is.

Better?

 

[Hengelo_77]

I like the design.
The only sugestion I have is that you drop the point a bit to around where you have that arrow drawn.
Will your fingers fit the coils you have drawn?

 

[Emphasiski]

Better?

I like this design a lot. However, I've tried double finger grooved handles before, and they've just never worked out in terms of comfort. I'd definitely think about making a mock up before you cut/forge the blanks. I have seen, and held knives with the two finger grooves, and they've felt great...so it's possible, if you can get it right.

 

[dillon_b12]

I like the design.
The only sugestion I have is that you drop the point a bit to around where you have that arrow drawn.
Will your fingers fit the coils you have drawn?

I have yet to cut this one out and play with it, but just laying my hands on the paper it looks like they'll fit fine.

 

[dillon_b12]

I like this design a lot. However, I've tried double finger grooved handles before, and they've just never worked out in terms of comfort. I'd definitely think about making a mock up before you cut/forge the blanks. I have seen, and held knives with the two finger grooves, and they've felt great...so it's possible, if you can get it right.

Thanks for the input on the double finger grooves. I think I could change that double finger groove into more of just a gentle sweep and still like how everything looks. That would basically leave me with the index finger groove and a gentle, upward curve for the rest of the hand.

 

[Jmanwit]

I'm in the same boat as you are. I have recently decided to build up a knife for myself. I have a rough drawing of it (mind you, I am no artist). I don't have a lot of experience when it comes to all of the parts, as I am a true novice. However, I do know what I wanted in the design, and I made a wooden copy based of my drawing. So far, I like the feeling. We'll see how it is once i wrap the handle with some paracord.

 

[Jmanwit]

I'm in the same boat as you are. I have recently decided to build up a knife for myself. I have a rough drawing of it (mind you, I am no artist). I don't have a lot of experience when it comes to all of the parts, as I am a true novice. However, I do know what I wanted in the design, and I made a wooden copy based of my drawing. So far, I like the feeling. We'll see how it is once i wrap the handle with some paracord.

First rough drawing, based upon what I wanted:

Wooden version based upon drawing:

Revised Design, based off of experiences with wooden copy: