Folder vs Fixed, it's the sheath that weighs

[Bruce Culberson]

I made this one on the weekend from 1/8" 1084. I should have drilled bigger holes in the handle. It was an experiment to see how a "naked" knife felt in the hand. I'm still undecided whether or not to go scale-less or maybe 1/8" canvas micarta scales for grip. Anyway this one weighs 73 grams/2.6 oz with the sheath.

 

[mtwarden]

^ Bruce- nice looking knife AND light too (especially for 1/8" stock)!

 

[jackknife]

I made this one on the weekend from 1/8" 1084. I should have drilled bigger holes in the handle. It was an experiment to see how a "naked" knife felt in the hand. I'm still undecided whether or not to go scale-less or maybe 1/8" canvas micarta scales for grip. Anyway this one weighs 73 grams/2.6 oz with the sheath.

Next winter when it gets really cold, you may wish for some nice handle scales on that thing.

Nice blade shape, by the way.:thumbup:

 

[jackknife]

I like lighter weight more than most I think. Being a senior citizen, shedding onces and pounds are really critical for me and the better half to enjoy the outdoors. But I don't think a knife is the place to do it, within reason.

A small sheath knife vs a folder, is not going to save much weight, vs the amount of strength in the tool. Emergencys do happen. I want my knife to be as uncompromising in strength as I can get it, even if it is a small blade. In fact, the small blade by it's nature is where you want to know you can lean on it a little if you have to. A knife like a Brusletto Balder or other small puuko is within a once or two of a similar size folder. I'm willing to put up with a few extra onces in that department. I'll cut labels out of clothes, cut down toothbrush handles, stuff like that, but my knife has to be strong for the unplanned emergency. I'll go ultralight if I have to in some area's, but not my knife.

 

[hollowdweller]

I think this is a cool subject.

Good case for a folder just on weight.

I know when I got my Lee Reeves Hatchet I had him make me a head cover for it because the sheath was like 5oz.

Is Kydex lighter than leather?? Asking

The pukkos with the birch bark handles are really lighter.

While I don't think you should eliminate taking a fixed blade knife due to the sheath weight, I think you should be conscious of the weight of everything you are carrying no matter what it is. :thumbup:

 

[pitdog]

I had an idea a while back for a skeletonized knife with a very short handle. The Kydex sheath would then have a dimple in it which when turned around and slid over the knife handle the dimple locates into the hole in the knife thus acting as an extension of the knife handle...hope that makes some kinda sense !!!! Should cut the weight down a little !!!!

 

[mtwarden]

kydex is lighter than leather given the same shape/size, .060 lighter than .080 or .093 kydex- for most small knives .060 is fine

^ interesting idea

 

[Scott Free]

I had an idea a while back for a skeletonized knife with a very short handle. The Kydex sheath would then have a dimple in it which when turned around and slid over the knife handle the dimple locates into the hole in the knife thus acting as an extension of the knife handle...hope that makes some kinda sense !!!! Should cut the weight down a little !!!!

That's a really interesting idea. You might need more than just a dimple, but the basic idea has a lot of merit.

 

[Shotgun]

I had an idea a while back for a skeletonized knife with a very short handle. The Kydex sheath would then have a dimple in it which when turned around and slid over the knife handle the dimple locates into the hole in the knife thus acting as an extension of the knife handle...hope that makes some kinda sense !!!! Should cut the weight down a little !!!!

Unless I don't follow you, but it seems that your design would be weaker than a standard production folder.

To all the guys that say its only 5 ounces, you're missing the point. It's the cumulative effect that he's talking about. Sure 5 oz is nothing but he's talking about the 5+2+4+1+3+6 that adds up. It sounds like he knows what tools HE needs and is just picking the lightest variant of that tool that still does the job. That's the best way to go about ULing IMO. Know your requirements and pic the lightest tools to accomplish them.

 

[pitdog]

Unless I don't follow you, but it seems that your design would be weaker than a standard production folder.

.

The handle would be say half length so the kydex would come over that half and provide another half length to hold onto thus creating a full size handle.It would be plenty strong enough and whereas if a folder breaks you are left with a blade ya can't really use, even without the extra length provided by the sheath, you could still use this blade.

 

[Bruce Culberson]

Next winter when it gets really cold, you may wish for some nice handle scales on that thing.

Yup it will be fine for sheep in August, but not my first choice for late deer in November when it can be -20 to -25 C....have to have a different knife for that

I had an idea a while back for a skeletonized knife with a very short handle. The Kydex sheath would then have a dimple in it which when turned around and slid over the knife handle the dimple locates into the hole in the knife thus acting as an extension of the knife handle...hope that makes some kinda sense !!!! Should cut the weight down a little !!!!

I was thinking the same thing this AM, except with a full sized handle. Good idea Pit - your full of them!

 

[Shotgun]

The handle would be say half length so the kydex would come over that half and provide another half length to hold onto thus creating a full size handle.It would be plenty strong enough and whereas if a folder breaks you are left with a blade ya can't really use, even without the extra length provided by the sheath, you could still use this blade.

So are you thinking like a 3 finger knife were the kydex covers the last finger or 2&2?

 

[pitdog]

Yup it will be fine for sheep in August, but not my first choice for late deer in November when it can be -20 to -25 C....have to have a different knife for that



I was thinking the same thing this AM, except with a full sized handle. Good idea Pit - your full of them!

Thanks Bruce, maybe ya should make one and send it me to try out !

 

[candlelight001]

How do you like that handle shape on the wharncliffe? I like that design for trying to keep things compact yet fully usable. I'm thinking I'll build that style of handle 4" long and a blade of ~3". Something big enough for deboning and animal yet not to big for the finer detail required for caping. Actually a knife shape very similar to the one I just sold:

Bruce, handle shape is great, could be .25"-.5" longer. The wharnie's hanging tough. Re: the scaleless knife, I like scales, if I'm even gonna carry two ounces, I want max utility from it... Those EDC's you make look right.

 

[candlelight001]

Exactly! So if you go with the lightest knife, you can carry an extra power bar!:thumbup:

Another thing to consider, is that 3 oz. may seem trivial, but when you add it to the 5oz. you saved on another item, and the 2oz of another item, etc. You start saving pounds.

This is it in a nutshell.

 

[hollowdweller]

To all the guys that say its only 5 ounces, you're missing the point. It's the cumulative effect that he's talking about. Sure 5 oz is nothing but he's talking about the 5+2+4+1+3+6 that adds up. It sounds like he knows what tools HE needs and is just picking the lightest variant of that tool that still does the job. That's the best way to go about ULing IMO. Know your requirements and pic the lightest tools to accomplish them.

I think at least part of the difference in points of views on how important the weight is depends on the poster.

To people who are hunting, or hiking, or even hiking a mile or two in and then just camping, the weight of stuff is not as high priority as somebody whose hiking say 8 or 10 miles in a day over rugged terrain or is going for several days to a week, covering some ground and has to carry a lot of food or water or some other heavy provision.